A week in France on the sv

[DarrenSV650S]

It was my easter week off last week (a bit late) and the weather was looking crap here and the flights were off, so on Sunday night I was looking at ferrys to France. Eventually thought what the hell and booked one from Portsmouth to Caen leaving Monday night for £98 return.

I was up late till about 1am packing and getting the bike ready etc. Left first thing for the 550 mile ride down to Portsmouth for the 11pm ferry.

Seven hours of uncomfortable sleep later I was in France!

Spent the next 5 days touring about the country roads, enjoying the scenery and hot weather :cool:. Stayed in the cheap and cheerful Formule 1 hotels which are basic but at the end of the day all I wanted to do was sleep so I wasn't too fussed.

Anyway, here's the picys.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0002.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0005.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0009.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0017.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0028.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0033.jpg

Ile de Re beach
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0034.jpg

This old church was on the island
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0039.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0041.jpg

The bridge
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0042.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0044.jpg

Under the bridge. I thought it looked cool :p
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0048.jpg

Had a wee break on this beach.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0052.jpg

Ile de Oleron beach
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0055.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0057.jpg

Fort Boyard where Melinda Messenger lives ;)
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0058.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0063.jpg

Back in to the towns.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0064.jpg

There were churches in all the little villages
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0065.jpg

Stopped at this castle but it was closed for repairs
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0072.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0074.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0075.jpg

Had another break at this pond. There were some weird noises coming from it :lol:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0080.jpg

Anyone know what they are?
P0j5zvX-EEc

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0086.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0090.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0091.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0095.jpg

My bike became an OAP as it went over 30k :(
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0099.jpg

They never seem to scrap their cars. There was loads of cars like this going about. Some in a right state
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0121.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0122.jpg

Mont Saint Michel. Just came across this by accident. Had to go see it
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0104.jpg

Unfortunately they only let buses in so I would have had to park up and walk. In full leathers I would have been dead by the time I got there, so just got some pics from here
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0108.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0109.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0111.jpg

Spent the last day slowly bimbling up the coast roads and came across this airfield. See any problems?
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0114.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0119.jpg

Got the ferry home saturday night. Rode home sunday in the horrible freezing rain. I didn't stop as much because I just wanted to get home and dry, which was a mistake because I was ready to keel over when I eventually got home. But it was worth it for the week of beautiful hot sun in France :D

[DarrenSV650S]

Oh and here's the route I did

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/Route.jpg

[wattyfred89]

lovely pics mate, looks like a great ride

[G]

Ace trip, those noise sound like toads to me.

The french have **** cars because the police there are more nazi than ours. If your caught speeding you dont get banned they just take your car and crush it.

[Dave20046]

cool!

Bike looks well.

[barwel1992]

bike looks very nice :D

looks like you had a good trip :)

[Ed]

Lovely pics!!! The Ile de Re looks a fabbo place:cool:

[Geodude]

Nice :) and your right the bike under the bridge does look cool :thumbsup:

[hindle8907]

Sweet i hope to do something like this when my restriction is up and I'm past the 2 year rule as i only have 3 points left out of 6 ..... so don't like going to far..

amazing pics though !!! glad you have a good time .

[husky03]

excellent pics darren-wish i had the free time to head off like that

[Tim in Belgium]

Great pics, looks like a really nice week.

[mister c]

That is some serious mileage in a week, looks fantastic, nice pics

[mattSV]

Looks great.

I am doing 10 days in France in September, in-laws have a place near Bergerac so we have got an overnighter into St Malo, and the fastcat back from Cherbourg.

Your thread has given me a few ideas of some more places to visit on the way down/back :cool:

[ChrisSV]

Very nice pics, and nice bike :)
I need to grow some geitals and do summit like that, ive aslways wanted to.
Looks like you had a very good time.

[mattSV]

Anyway, here's the picys.



They never seem to scrap their cars. There was loads of cars like this going about. Some in a right state
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0121.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/DSCF0122.jpg



A 25 year old car with more miles than the millenium falcon for £2400 - no wonder they don't bother scrapping them if they an ask that sort of wedge :o

[fizzwheel]

Unfortunately they only let buses in so I would have had to park up and walk. In full leathers I would have been dead by the time I got there, so just got some pics from here

Have they changed it then when we went in 2008 they had a special bit in the carpark for bikes and we parked pretty close to it and walked up through to the top.

But when we were there the tide was right out and they had signs up saying that when the tide was in the area we parked in would be covered by the incoming tide.

See, we managed to park a fair bit closer than you did...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0074.jpg

Cracking trip though, I love that part of france, did you go on your own ?

[Wideboy]

lucky sod, im hoping to go back end of season

[larssonn]

Nice pics and makes me jealous, although not sure if I could do Dundee to Portsmouth let alone Carnoustie. Did you stop often on the way down and were you on your tod for the trip?

[DarrenSV650S]

Looks great.

I am doing 10 days in France in September, in-laws have a place near Bergerac so we have got an overnighter into St Malo, and the fastcat back from Cherbourg.

Your thread has given me a few ideas of some more places to visit on the way down/back :cool:
ooooh can I come:p It'll be nice and toasty down there

A 25 year old car with more miles than the millenium falcon for £2400 - no wonder they don't bother scrapping them if they an ask that sort of wedge :o
I know, couldn't believe the price
Have they changed it then when we went in 2008 they had a special bit in the carpark for bikes and we parked pretty close to it and walked up through to the top.

But when we were there the tide was right out and they had signs up saying that when the tide was in the area we parked in would be covered by the incoming tide.

See, we managed to park a fair bit closer than you did...



Cracking trip though, I love that part of france, did you go on your own ?hmm, well as I rode up, the road was blocked and there was a yellow vester directing everyone in to the car park. So I just U turned and parked where I did.

Yeh went on my own. I prefer it when touring. Means I can do whatever I want, ride how I want, where I want etc

[DarrenSV650S]

Nice pics and makes me jealous, although not sure if I could do Dundee to Portsmouth let alone Carnoustie. Did you stop often on the way down and were you on your tod for the trip?
Yeh stopped quite a few times on the way down to warm up and fuel me and the bike up. Had lots of time so just took it easy. But on the way home I was soaked and wanted to get home quick. Yeh just me and the bike

[Holdup]

Did all the french go:-

Wee wee wee, who is this silly boy on an orange et silver motorcickle?

[Holdup]

Nah seriously looks good

Glad you enjoy it :thumright:

[larssonn]

Brave laddie doing it on your own. Much nicer doing it with a mate or two though. Id go do that as well if I had some spare dosh/wife was ok with me leaving her etc. Where's that emoticon for hen-pecked? :(

[DarrenSV650S]

Did all the french go:-

Wee wee wee, who is this silly boy on an orange et silver motorcickle?
No. In fact I got a few compliments actually.

A woman cyclist was looking as I was parked at the side of the road. She rode past then came back and said (in french) that she has an sv too and was complimenting the orange and silver. :p

So :smt019

[Holdup]

How did you know thats what she said, are you fluent in french?

[eviltwin]

Great pics. Excited now, as I'll be taking some of those exact shots myself in 6 weeks time :D

[Quiff Wichard]

nice write up- thankds for taking the time to share..

whet my whistle for our trip there in September now..

[zunkus]

I was actually going next month to France on my SV but I was taken off the road by a nice bloke in a hyundai last February. Now I'm still hopping around on one leg recovering from a broken Tibia and Fibula. Glad you took time to post these Darren and I'm quite impressed that you travel such long distances away from home alone. I feel better with at least one mate riding along.

[Bluefish]

looks like you had a great time, i hope to venture over the water next year, great pics btw.

[Speedy Claire]

Looks like a brilliant trip, lovely pics and some really nice places visited.

[ravingdavis]

Im so jealous mate! Ive got a bit of free time coming up this summer, I'd love to get my **** in order and do something like that.

[TC3]

Nice pics and ride. Did you go into the Mont St Michel? Visited it last month and was pretty cool. Next time you do the ride consider heading to St Malo with stops to Honfleur and Rouen as it is not much further down.
Off to Alsace region in a month with the bike. Would not go by myself though and me thinks you are brave :)

[dizzyblonde]

Well that pic of Fort Boyard is bigger than any of the pics I've ever managed to get!!
Il D'Oleron is my fave place, the seafood is to die for. I'm afraid I get too much sunburn on their beaches :-( I feel so at home in that part of France.
Really good pics there Darren, makes me feel like I should damn well get off me butt and visit me best mate 'God' as we call her!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France%202010/Route.jpg
She lives between Limoge and Niort on your map :-)

Gather you didn't venture near Cognac then?

[DarrenSV650S]

Nice pics and ride. Did you go into the Mont St Michel? Visited it last month and was pretty cool. Next time you do the ride consider heading to St Malo with stops to Honfleur and Rouen as it is not much further down.
Off to Alsace region in a month with the bike. Would not go by myself though and me thinks you are brave :)
No I didn't actually go in. I wanted to but I'm really paranoid about leaving my bike/luggage when I'm abroad alone.

Well that pic of Fort Boyard is bigger than any of the pics I've ever managed to get!!
I could have actually got a closer one but I rode round too far, then rode back too far lol. If I had stopped in the middle I would have been closer

I feel so at home in that part of France.
Me too, I just love it down there. Such a relaxing atmosphere


Gather you didn't venture near Cognac then?
No I didn't. Pretty close though

[dizzyblonde]

I could have actually got a closer one but I rode round too far, then rode back too far lol. If I had stopped in the middle I would have been closer


Me too, I just love it down there. Such a relaxing atmosphere



No I didn't. Pretty close though


Yeah, theres another place with similar forts in the sea, IIRC its Fouras. Have lots of little boats that go round them. You can't actually really get too close to Fort Boyard anyway, AFAIK its private property, so the trips out there don't get too close.
It is relaxing down there, in fact the French are similar to us with their thoughts on North V South. The Southerners/Middlers don't like them from Northern France, they find them rude and ignorant...how strange, the French get really bad press for how ignorant they can be, oh how people are wrong.
Its also a micro climate, which is on par with the South of France, only the other day Madame God was rubbing it in how lovely and hot it was in her garden...biatch:grin:

I am determined I am going to build a hut in her garden and live in it, in fact I could build a mansion and she'd still have room for another six houses. Sigh, oh how I wish I could get there this year, bump won;t allow it though:(

[DarrenSV650S]

Glad I didn't go on the boat trip then! Well I wasn't planning to, but I got a leaflet on it. Would have been pi55ed if it only circled the fort.

Everyone says they hate the French and that they're snooty. I just think it's bollox. I like the French