Alps 2008
 
 

Day 17

July 5

 
 

We figured that the three of us would just catch breakfast somewhere down the road, but Luc and Miss Annie will have none of that. She whips us up a great breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausages and rolls. It's just the sort of breakfast that I love so I jump right in and make myself at home.

 
 
 
  Since we are planning to stop by Moff's home and visit a little bit with Miss Nikki, Danni-Anne and David, we head out to the bikes and get on the road. I wish Luc a full recovery and give him and Miss Annie a big hug, then we're off like a dirty shirt.  
 
 
  It's still pretty early so the streets are quiet as we make our way out of Oostaaker on the road to the Chunnel.  
 
 
  Dave's in the lead, me in the center, and Moff bringing up the rear. I am the only one without the radio, since I packed it up last night while I was sorting out my gear.  
 
 
  Soon we take a quick gas stop so we can get all the way back into London. I will still have to top off the tank once I am close to the shop, but this will get us there easy enough.  
 
 
  The sun is climbing in the skies as we get closer to our destination, but at least the traffic is still not bad at this time of morning.  
 
 
  Soon I see the sign and figure we are quite close to the last thing I wanted to do on this ride - take the Chunnel under the Channel! It's just one of those things to me like seeing the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building - I've heard about so I want to experience it for myself.  
 
 
 

When we pull up to the booth, boy do we get the surprise of our life. A ticket for one way back to the UK is 100 euros per bike. That figures out to better than $150 USD each! Moff had already pre-booked but we are sort of hung. I tell Dave -

"Well, I guess I'll be buying your supper to night since this was my idea."

So we get the tickets and proceed into the waiting area.

 
 
 
  Since we've paid handsomely for the privilege, we take up at least two parking spaces in the waiting lot, then go inside to get something to drink.  
 
 
 

Dave says -

"You think that they would have at least worn masks when they rob you."

"Yep, or at least given you a kiss!" I add. "But I don't have to worry about what I am going to do the rest of my euros now."

We all laugh cause there sure ain't nothing else you can do about it.

 
 
 
  Soon it's time to load up, so we make our way back out to the bikes and head for the final passport check.  
 
 
 

It's kind of funny because it is the first time that I've had my passport checked since I left the airport when I landed. Once we get to the loading area, they stage us off to the side. We will be the last ones loaded and then we will get ride the entire length of the train. There are two doors that cars drive through but it's kind of an unusual visual effect until you realize what is happening. The car on the left you can see where they are going but the car on the right just sort of disappears. Finally it hits you that the train is a two-story affair and they are going to the upper deck. Well, duh!

 
 
 
 
After all the cars are done, they direct us on the train where we have an entire car just to ourselves. At the price they charged us, we should also have our name on a plaque somewhere too.
 
 
 
  It's a pretty nondescript voyage, just a little gentle rocking and darkness out the windows. After all, we are in a tunnel that's under the ocean. But it gives me time to at least read the emergency information that I hopefully will not need.  
 
 
  I guess we at least can be happy that we have the entire train car to ourselves. But then it sort of felt like we paid for it after all.  
 
 
  The ride only lasts about 35 minutes and then the separating doors open. The center door goes up into the ceiling and the side doors fold into the side so that the train just becomes one long tunnel itself. It's really a pretty slick concept and is the quickest way to get across the Channel - if not the cheapest.  
 
 
  The floor is a little rough but I do manage to get a picture as we drive out without crashing the bike.  
 
 
  Soon we are out into the fresh air and headed for Moff's place. The sky is overcast, but for now the rain is holding off. I'm glad we did the Chunnel but I would not pay that kind of money to do it again unless I was in a really big hurry to get across the Channel. It does save 2 to 3 hours in the crossing compared to coming across on a ferry.  
 
 
  Since Moff knows where he lives (at least you would assume so), he takes the lead as we follow him to Sittingbourne.  
 
 
  Soon we arrive at the Moffster's abode where the world famous monster dog Fizzy lives - or so some would say.  
 
 
  It took repeated tries to try to get Fizzy to wrinkle that nose while I got a shot so I could properly render her best monster pose. Finally the wrinkle and the camera button got coordinated!  
 
 
  It's good to see the crew again. It's been along time since I was up at the caravan with them in the Lake District. Danni-Anne is grown to be a pretty young lady and David has really gotten bigger. I give them both hugs and they go out to play on the trampoline. David really likes to bounce out there and with the safety net, he can really have a big time. Seeing him again makes the 'unarmed robbery' that I do at the FriendSToc rally worth every ounce of effort it takes.  
 
 
 

They have an old piano in their front room and Moff asks me if I will play a few tunes.

"Sure thing" so I wander over and do a few numbers from memory. It's an old upright and I always have enjoyed playing them. It's a little out of tune but not bad, so it covers my mistakes quite well. Then Moff takes me upstairs to David's special safe room that the proceeds from the FriendSToc auction went toward furnishing part of. It's a pretty neat set up and it makes me want to squeeze even more money out those tightfisted STers come next year. As I always tell folks, it's for a good cause even if you don't want or need the stuff.

 
 
 
  Dave and I have to get back so I can turn the bike in, so Moff leads us to a local cafe that he really likes. Pete, who rode with Moff in Ieper, also shows up so we place our orders and go outside to wait.  
 
 
  It's not that I need to eat another breakfast after that delicious affair and Luc and Annies. But since breakfast is my favorite meal and it's a little too hard to pass up. When they bring it out, this is a fully cooked English breakfast in grand style and huge portions.  
 
 
  But far too soon, Dave and I have to get headed to London. I give Moff and Pete a big hug, not knowing when I will see them both again. Then we are off to negotiate our way into London proper.  
 
 
  The closer we get into London, the worse the traffic gets. Soon we are filtering our way down the narrow streets headed toward AboutTown. As we near a park, a man just swings open his door and jumps right out in front of Dave. It is only because Dave is paying attention that he doesn't take the dude out. The guy has a beer in his hand and is obviously quite a few steps away from being sober. Once we get past that, we make a quick stop to gas up then we arrive at the shop.  
 
 
 

As I unload Snow White, Mike asks me about the trip and if I had any problems with the bike. I tell him -

"Well, the heated grips didn't seem to work but it was no big deal. And it does put out quite a bit of heat. We checked the fluid but it was at the normal level."

Since my helmet chin bar latches broke early on, I remove the faceshield and ask Mike if he can pitch the thing. I sure don't need to tote a helmet that can't be fixed back to the States just to throw it away.

"Sure thing, I'll take care of it" he tells me.

We go through the paper work and he promptly refunds my deposit. As always, it is a great pleasure doing business with him. Before I leave I tell him -

"I've got some great shots of the bike at several Alps Passes that I will send you when I get back home. And hopefully, my wife and I will be back over her in 2010 to go Ireland."

He thanks for my business then Dave heads his ST for the Brewer's parking lot while I tote my bags down the hill on foot. When I go inside, I notice that they have done a lot of redecorating and moving things around.

 
 
 
 

The clerk has my reservations and gets us fixed up with my requested room. Since the stairs are no longer where they used to be, I ask him -

"Which way do I get to the rooms? The last time I was here the stairs were over yonder."

He points behind me and says -

"Yes, we've done a lot of upgrading and now the stairs are over there."

I thank him and Dave and I make our way upstairs to the double room I have reserved. Once we get settled, I start resorting my gear into the proper bags for the trip to the airport. It doesn't take too long, having done this drill several times before. After we wash the road stink off, I tell Dave -

"There's a shopping mall right down the street if you want to stretch your legs a bit. It doesn't look like one, but I found it the last time I was here."

So off we go the few blocks down East Hill. I was hoping something would be open so I could get rid of some more British pounds. But pretty much every thing is shut up, so we make our way back outside. I notice a market is open across the street, so I ask Dave -

"Reckon I can get a bus pass for tomorrow? That sure would simplify getting on the bus. They don't seem to like making change and such."

So we wander across the street and I ask the man behind the counter -

"Can I purchase a bus pass for just tomorrow?"

"Certainly. I'll just print tomorrow's date on it" and he does.

With that bit of business taken care of, we walk back to the hotel to get some supper. It seems the main dining room is in use for a wedding reception or something, but the fellow behind the bar says we can still order food and eat in the pub area. I order the steak and it is very good. Dave and sit and talk about the great time we've had and once again I thank him for all of the preparation that he put into this ride. With the meal finished, we head back up to the room.

 
 
 
  Seems as if Wimbledon is just sort of down the road a piece and there are some serious matches going on the tube. But since we have to be out of here early in the morning, we put the lights out soon and die pretty quickly.  
 

Totals For The Day -

Countries - 3 (Belgium, France, UK)

Miles - 194

Passes - 0

Hairpins - 0