Writing this post from the shower rooms, both to charge my phone and to warm up from the cold night (and also to take a shower, which I did previously!).
Yesterday was tough. Not sure why the plan did not turn out as I wanted. My idea was to arrive at 9, but I was putting up the tent at 11pm. Perhaps the Beauty did not match the road speed limits used in the online route planners.
I left Calais at 5pm, and cruised at good rythm, with a break every hour or so. Dunkirk, Oostende, Brygge, Antwerpen, Brussels (this one was a miss, since I had to drive back a few miles to join the ring road – Le Ring as they call it – only after speaking to an elderly Bruxellois who was admiring the Norton and wishing he could ride one instead of his 900 Yamaha), Leuven, Liege… And finally I spotted the exit towards Verviers. These last 40km were the trickiest, since I was cold, tired and these are very bendy and hilly roads (resemblance with the racing circuit!). And there were not many road lights and very few cars circulating. Nevertheless I made it with my poor B/W printed map. My arrival turned up some faces (as usual I must say) and I asked around where the reception was. “At the bar” were the answers.
I sorted out the camping pitch and walked over to set up the tent. A group of installed campers spotted me and one of them came to give me a hand. Very nice indeed, after a long trip and effort. Then came a bad moment, when rolling the bike to the tent area. I put it up on the stand and ,despite wiggling it to make sure it was stable, 2min later it fell on its right side. Panic and anger trying to lift those 176kg. Damage? Smashed mirror, some oil spillage and very dirty chrome. I have yet to check it under daylight, but I hope there is nothig else wrong.
By the way, Belgique at the end of may is not warm. My sleeping bag is also shite, so I thought the best solution was to invade the shower rooms for a warm shower.
Right, phone is charged and I have warmed up. Let’s start the action!
Engines, Carrots & Happiness 