Olaf arrives next week all sorted with camping booked, weather booked and nice places to visit booked. This is still open and flexible should anyone else want to turn up over the next few weeks. Anyone welcome from anywhere in the world, Aussies by appointment please 

So much for the secret invasion!

I have been busy extending Bob's invitation and we have a small posse of like minded folk wandering down our way at various dates in September.

Sadly we have lost Will and Bjorn from the trip. However while this one is about to land Will and myself have already sown the seeds of the next one for 1st June 2018!!

Really disappointed to be missing it. Have a blast. 

Highly unlikely I'll be a contender, despite the warm invite by Olaf. I just can't seem to find the money.

Have fun !

The budget for being there is quite low. Camp site and day to day costs are great value, the bigger cost is ferry travel and fuel getting down there. They can be costly.

Unfortunately sterling/euro rate is not good from your point of view.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:The budget for being there is quite low. Camp site and day to day costs are great value, the bigger cost is ferry travel and fuel getting down there. They can be costly.

Unfortunately sterling/euro rate is not good from your point of view.

I know. We spent more than expected in Belgium last week, hammered by the exchange rate !

fixitsan wrote:

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:The budget for being there is quite low. Camp site and day to day costs are great value, the bigger cost is ferry travel and fuel getting down there. They can be costly.

Unfortunately sterling/euro rate is not good from your point of view.

I know. We spent more than expected in Belgium last week, hammered by the exchange rate !

No sympathy your country had a democratic vote and voted for brexit.
Some of us UK tax payers were not even entitled to vote.

BobT wrote:

fixitsan wrote:

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:The budget for being there is quite low. Camp site and day to day costs are great value, the bigger cost is ferry travel and fuel getting down there. They can be costly.

Unfortunately sterling/euro rate is not good from your point of view.

I know. We spent more than expected in Belgium last week, hammered by the exchange rate !

No sympathy your country had a democratic vote and voted for brexit.
Some of us UK tax payers were not even entitled to vote.

I got off lightly. My mum and dad moved back from Spain a few days before the vote, and when given the choice of how to take the money from their house sale - "Do you want your money in pounds sterling or Euros ? " My dad said "Why would I want euros if I'm going back to the UK ?"  , and 2 days later lost tens of thousands as a result.  Mind you, he was all for brexit too.......

It's all a big conspiracy to do away with the pound and get £1 = 1 euro

Olaf is now happy in his tent beside the river in St Leon. He arrived 2 hours ago. 

Epic spin. Long ride in 1 day, no better man to pace himself !

I am expecting at least 2 others before the end of the week, one will be an Aussie who is on his way around Europe. 
Time to start planning next years event. I will put pictures on our facebook page, link to follow.

So Olaf is sitting there at the campsite with tables chairs, BBQ, electricity and a tent that sleeps eight! His poor K100 looks like a poodle that has just had a haircut since he unloaded it.

Olaf (K100) and Jude (Ducati ST2) having a natter while Bob T (Ducati Supersport) takes a picture. Note that olafs camping gear includes BBQ, huge tent, table and chairs, two cookers and much much more. I have trouble finding room to carry my keys on the Ducati!

Well they do say that any damn fool can be uncomfortable, so it is good to see that Olaf has the full range of creature comforts with him and he is a bit a master when it comes to loading up the bike with the essentials.

Looks like he has reacted positively to a bit of tent envy from my tour with him in Ireland a couple of summers back...

And there's me downsizing like crazy to see if I can do winter rallies with just a 50 litre Mountain Equipment rollbag bungeed to the rear seat... and the deckchair. Can't forget the deckchair. That would be criminal.

Dai wrote:And there's me downsizing like crazy to see if I can do winter rallies with just a 50 litre Mountain Equipment rollbag bungeed to the rear seat... and the deckchair. Can't forget the deckchair. That would be criminal.

Ha - minimalist is for hikers. Now, could you imagine what Olaf's pitch would look like if he got a trailer for his bike?

Olaf needs all that gear as there is another biker turning up tomorrow and he is sure to have forgotten something. 
Then there is an aussie turning up on Friday who is on a European tour. Lord know how many others will arrive. The Italian has called off his trip for health reasons. Still 3 weeks left for any others who want to join in.

Born Again Eccentric wrote:Looks like he has reacted positively to a bit of tent envy from my tour with him in Ireland a couple of summers back...

Don't know what you planned getting up to on that campsite but the fence posts seem to be taking their health and Safety seriously!!


safe travels back Olaf.

Dai wrote:And there's me downsizing like crazy to see if I can do winter rallies with just a 50 litre Mountain Equipment rollbag bungeed to the rear seat... and the deckchair. Can't forget the deckchair. That would be criminal.

lol...aye agree Dai


but mine is a little smaller ...grin

Olaf has just eaten his lunch at Cafe de France in Rouffignac, and is now getting on his bike and heading north. The campsite is looking empty.
One god thing though, we have had a cool wet September while he has been here and as he is now on his way the sun has come out and the forecast for the next few weeks is sun and temperatures in the mid 20's.

Just a little update for now from somewhere between Land's End and Ireland.

Left Rouffignac on Wednesday afternoon after a great sojourn there. Had a final lunch with BobT and headed off on a lovely afternoon that took me the scenic route to Nantes. Thursday as in yesterday a pleasant unhurried run to Cherbourg and the K enjoyed a nice motorway run.

Thanks to some pleasant work by 88 I found myself waved to the head of a queue and straight on to the Oscar Wilde directed to one of the two the motorcycle spaces immediately in front of the ferry exit door for a speedy exit!! Then found myself with a cabin fit for 4.! Excellent ending which will be capped off by lunch with 88 in Wexford.

Trip was everything I hoped for and more. A one day run from Roscoff down to Rouffignac surprised BobT and myself too but conditions were good. Some nice outings including a day trip to Lacanau-Ocean and Cap Ferret on the Atlantic coast. A little culture too with a wonderful organ concert at one of the cathedrals at Sarlat le Canada. There being no other takers I went on my own and enjoyed a nice night time outing on the road between Sarlat and Rouffignac followed by seeing the Roq du Christophe floodlit at night. A kayak trip on the Vezere was also undertaken but on only Chris was on for that one. Then a tour of Rouffignac Cave at BobT's behest, numerous bike outings and morning coffees. Not forgetting to add the excellent arrangement by Francoise.....

Mick, from Australia, on a Guzzi, loved his time there, was good company and on for a ride and good food and even better looks like he will be in Ireland next year so there is talk of maybe travel Ireland to France with him.

Chris stayed about the 2 weeks and enjoyed a break away too.  Amazing considered the three of us on the camp site had never met before and it all went well.

The table, chairs and bbq are safely put away in Rouffignac for now.

Thanks to all.

Olaf