Hello and welcome back!

Hi, I thought you would like to know that I'm going on a new adventure next year!
Myself and my good friend Bill Dog will leave Calais in Northern France at around 4am on a pair of GTSs and ride south to Geneva in Switzerland, rest for an hour then turn around and head back again to Calais within the 24 hours allocated for an official Ironbutt certification.
We should cover around 1038 miles in total.

This will be a madcap 24hrs, and I'm sure I'll have plenty to write about! The plan is still in it's early stages, and I'll keep you informed on the details!
I'll be creating a brand new blog on this adventure next year!

Day 10 back home

The next day, the sun was shining through the curtains. I got dressed and went downstairs for my "breakfast" ( it's OK, but I've discovered that French coffee is terrible!) I stocked up on bananas and apples for the last leg of my trip, and after giving LJ the once over, loading up my cases, tapped the SAT NAV for Calais, again avoiding the toll roads.
I was glad i avoided the tolls, as although it was longer, I'd got to see fantastic views. The weather was hot, I  stopped every hour to have a break and to have a drink, before moving on.
I got to Calais in good time - worn out but happy that I'd made the trip. I was an hour early in fact, and they let me go one one of the earlier crossings. The scooter was lashed down, and I made my way upstairs on the ferry for a coffee and a bite to eat. The crossing took about an hour, and it was uneventful.
As soon as the ferry docked, i made my way back to the scooter, unlashed it from the stand and left the ferry. I was stopped through customs, and was asked the usual questions. The guy seemed very impressed when he asked me where I had been. When I reeled the list of  places where I'd been, he simply couldn't believe it that I got there by scooter. he asked how big it was, how fast it'll go, what the fuel capacity was - he was very impressed, and let me go!
Again, there wasn't too much to report on the journey from Dover to Rushden, apart from the usual traffic jams, in which LJ cut though them. Although I did notice one thing with the UK. Throughout Europe i didn't see one Driving school car, blocking the traffic. I saw loads and loads of lorries of course cars from the UK and some folks who had just passed their test and were carrying  "P" stickers, but I never did see a driving school car.. here, there were loads, just loads.... Sigh it's good to be back!
I had to quickly adapt my riding, but that wasn't too much of a problem, and set off back to Rushden - back to reality, bills, and endless emails and letters to reply to!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my journey, and I hope it's given you a few ideas to maybe give it a go! Looking back, I'd plan the trip better, so that I could see a lot more on my way round. This trip was originally meant to go to Pisa and back, but when I looked at the other places to go, I just couldn't resist!
Yes, it was tiring,
yes, sometimes it was pricy,
and yes it was hairy at times, but would I do it again? YES!!
In fact, I'm thinking of going to Southern Ireland next year- watch this space!!
Graham Chapman

Day 8/9 Dieppe

The next day, I decided to check over LJ. No problems, just a lot of dead flies over the headlamp that were soon cleared!
Money was getting a real problem now. With the high cost of fuel and tolls I simply couldn't afford yet another Toll road, as I needed the money to buy fuel and set the SAT NAV to avoid tolls. This increased of course the distance getting to Dieppe, but at least I'd save money.

I'm really glad I did, because to be honest, I saw some great views of Little French villages, and even smelt fresh bread being baked! Yummy! The weather was great, with the sun shining, and that helped me lift my mood, from the last two nights.

The ride to Dieppe was pleasant enough, and I stopped at a local Lidl to buy some food, and drink. And then i saw it McDonalds! I couldn't believe it, and rode over there and had my first Big Mac of the trip. It was heaven!
I found the hotel, and asked the receptionist if I had booked this night and that everything was in order. Thankfully it was and  I asked where I could park LJ, but she said it'll be ok outside next to the window, as they have 24 hour receptionists. But I was still uncofortable, and chained LJ to a lamp post - just to be sure. I didn't want the scooter stolen, that last two days of the trip.  I made my way via the lift to my room, where I had a shower straight away. God, I must have looked a right mess, bite marks all over my face, 4 day stubble, unwashed, and with greasy hair!
I had a worrying night, thinking that the scooter would be OK, and woke early, and checked the scooter - it was fine. I asked the receptionist what has Dieppe got to offer. She mentioned the castle, museum, church, beach and shops.

I decided to go out for a wander and see what's what. I discovered the old Gothic church and the castle nearby. I explored the castle, checked out the museum

 and had a look around the shops. I became hungry again, and as I had found in my jean's pocket 20 euro's I decided to treat myself to a slap up lunch! I chose a cafe that had seating outside, and asked the owner what was on the menu. he said there is today's special - steak with new potatoes, so I'd chosen that, and had what i think was the best steak, with new potatoes and green beans ever! Followed up by a bowl of mint choc chip ice cream, I was in heaven! (Although later retelling the story to a friend of mine, he'd reminded me that the French a very partial to Horse meat...)
I wandered around the shops in Dieppe, and bought a few presents for the girls. I bought a filled baguette and a doughnut for the evening and returned to the hotel, where I watched "Police Academy" in French of course! I'd contacted everyone to let them know I'm safe and went to bed on my last light in Europe.

Day 7 Limoges (sort of)

As I rode, i thought about where on earth I was going to stay. I stopped off at a cafe, which had free WiFi, and searched Google for any good sites, that had free WiFi. My mum was getting concerned about this problem ( I had texted her last night to tell her what happened) and with her help tried to find a suitable site. I spotted a site, which i thought would be ideal, and tapped the address into the SAT NAV. It took me some distance away from Limoges, through little French villages, and after asking the locals were this camp site was, soon found it.
I looked a right state, I was tired, hungry, and hadn't washed for 2 days. I must have looked a mess. When I found the reception to ask for rates, and availability, I was surprised to find it locked. "strange" I thought, so I hung around for an hour, but nobody came. There were plenty of camper van's but not a lot of tents...odd.. I decided to leave and take my chances.
I'd made it to the camp site about 4pm, and I knew from past experiences that night-time soon falls. I made the decision to abandon the chance to stay at the site, and went looking for a place to pitch.

I found an ideal spot, just as dusk was falling. I set up the tent, covered LJ in the bike cover to avoid being spotted and settled for the night.
However, I thought I heard snakes in that field, and spent a restful night again under canvas.
I was woken early next day by an owl hooting. "At least it's better than chickens" I thought.
I soon realised that I was covered in bites- I assume from midges. I'd bought some anti bite spray, but I think out here they love that- they certainly loved my blood! I was covered in bites, my face, arms, hands, and neck were dying to be scratched. I'd have to have a good old scratch!
I made my way out of the "Midges Hotel" and set off for my next destination. Dieppe.

Day 6 Aubagne

The morning started uneventful, and the sky was clear. I calculated via Google maps that i would take 7hrs- not as bad as the trip to Koblenz but still a challenge.

I took the route along the coast, and i passed Cannes, Toulon, and other small towns. I could have gone nearer the coast, but the toll roads kept me on the fastest route possible, and time was of the essence. I soon realised that there is an awful load of tolls running through Italy and France, Italy being the more expensive- and it was in Italy that I'd made my first mistake.
I stopped at yet another toll booth in Italy, when i noticed that there was no place to get a ticket ( you first get your ticket, travel where you want to go, and pay at the toll booth on the other side) so, I pressed the assistance button, in the hope that someone will show me where to get the ticket. Nothing happened at first, and then he gate opened. "great" I thought, " I bet you don't have to pay for bikes here" and drove through blissfully unaware.
I was about 5km from Aubagne, when again I was stopped at yet another toll road. This time though it was occupied. "ticket please" he asked
"I haven't got a ticket, I wasn't given one" I replied.
"No ticket tut tut, 17 euro's then" he said
He looked over the scooter and gave me a piece of paper. Must have been a recept for the 17 euros, I thought, and continued on my way to Aubagne, where I would get a good nights sleep.

The hotel was nothing special, but at least it had a shower and a nice comfy bed for the night, and that what counts! Again, breakfast is continental, so nothing special there. Looking back, this must have been the basic hotel I stayed... Maybe something was telling me something?

I looked at the piece of paper the toll supervisor gave me. Then I realised. It wasn't a recept, it was a fine - for 79 euros! Just for not getting a ticket! the 17 Euro's that I'd paid was part payment of the fine, I had to pay the rest in 15 days! Great! 

Money was fast running out, I hadn't accounted for the toll roads, and especially in Italy they are expensive. I decided to cancel my stay in Limoges, in order to help pay for the fine. I logged onto the internet and cancelled that stay.. Little did I know what was coming...

In the morning I got changed and set off for my next stop- Gerona, Spain. Here i hoped if I had time to get to Barcelona, as it was just another half hours ride from Gerona.

I got to Gerona, and again the SAT NAV let me down. I was noticing that it missed out a few roads and newer roundabouts, I thought the map was well out of date, and that I'm going to have to get a new updated map if I'm going to do this again.

I stopped at a bar and asked for directions, the chap behind the bar gave me a map, and marked on it the way to get to the hotel.

i entered the hotel, reservation in hand, and passed it over to the receptionist. he took it and turned to his computer. A quizzical look came over his face, and rechecked my paperwork.

"I'm sorry sir, but you're a day late"

"Sorry, pardon" I said

"you're a day late the room was booked for yesterday"

"WHAT!!!, oh never mind, can you still fit me in?"

"I'm sorry sir, but we're all fully booked, but we do have just the one room left, our executive suite with en suite shower"

"great, how much"

"150 euro's for the night sir"

Bugger that, I thought, I'll go and find somewhere cheaper. But I never did. I tried 5 other hotels, and they were all the same- fully booked. I later thought it was because the wekkend, but you never know.

I sat on the scooter and thought about it. A night under canvas, and because I cancelled Limoges, my next stop, another night under the stars as well.

I searched for a place to pitch up my tent, but it was getting desperate. Night time was approaching, and I had to find somewhere fas, so i could pitch the tent. Then i saw it. A small layby, and just running off it, a slope that led to a field at a lower level than the road. perfect, i thought, and started setting up the tent. The scooter was hidden away, and because I was at a much lower level, no-one could see that I was there. I settled down for the night, pleased that I'd found somewhere to stay. That Night, I briefly woke, thinking someone was messing with LJ, and popped my head out of the tent. The view was impressive, what with the stars illuminating the night sky, and shooting stars coming down!

I'n the morning I woke to a really bad headache, and was aching all over. The tent, as all tents do, was covered in dew, and I was still very tired and hungry- I hadn't eating anything at all for at least 12 hours, and things were getting bleak. Worse still, I'd have to do this again, as I cancelled my next hotel in Limoges.

Things weren't looking too good at this moment...

I'd better find a camp site, packed the tent away, which was soaking and tapped Limoges into the SAT NAV, and me and LJ rode off in the misty morning.....

Day 4/5 Pisa

Right, this was the day. This was the day I would finally arrive at the birthplace of Vespa scooters. The journey to Pisa was again breathtaking, The Tuscany landscape and the weather combined was brilliant. I arrived at the hotel in good time, showed the receptionist my reservation, and checked in. The place where I was staying for 2 days was impressive, with an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant,  and dining area. The room itself was big, a double bed, and a smaller single bed a flat screen television and a large bathroom, with shower. Just what I wanted. I unpacked my gear, and planned the 2 nights, and what to see. Of course, I had to see the leaning tower, and what I always wanted to see, the Piaggio museum. I decided next day, that I would go to the museum first thing, and later catch the bus, to the tower. Pontedera was half an hours away, so I'd have plenty of time to visit the tower.

Next day, I had breakfast, and got ready for the trip. The museum didn't open until 10, so i had plenty of time to find the place. Good job too, as the SAT NAV couldn't find it, so I ended up going to a chemists and asking for help. Of course they knew where it was! the assistant gave me address, and I typed it into the SAT NAV, and I was on my way!  

Arriving at the museum, I was like a kid in a sweet shop! I took picture after picture video's and checked out the Vespa's that were there. They were in mint condition, they didn't look used at all, and it was really a good layout!

I saw the famous "Dali" scooter that was painted by him, and now worth a mint. It was kept in a glass case to keep sticky fingers off it, and I posed for a photo of an enormous Vespa, saw loads and loads of Vespa's through the history of Piaggio, and had a very good time of it! i was pleased and very thankful to be here!

On the way back to the hotel, a question kept turning in my head. Where was the newer Vespa's made? Vietnam? Spain? China? I wish I'd asked at the time. I thought about it, and decided I could go the very next day on my way to the next stop. 

I got back to the hotel, changed and walked outside. i waited for the bus to arrive, and sure enough at 1.30 it arrived to take me to see the leaning tower. 

When I got there, there was the usual tat, and stores selling goods based  on the leaning tower, and people selling trinkets there. The real reason was of course to see the tower and surrounding buildings. Again, I took loads of pictures, and video's and while I was there ate at a restaurant, where I got a chance to try a real Pizza! I treated myself to an ice cream as the weather was hot, and generally had a good time. 

Right, I thought, time to go, so i waited back at the bus stop where I got off, paid for the ticket and climbed aboard.

The bus passed streets, dropping people off, and picking people up along the route. When I saw the bus stop near the hotel, i pressed the button, so the driver knew when to stop. but he didn't- it carried on! Again, I pressed the button- nothing. Oh well, I thought, it's bound to return after all they all go round in a loop don't they?

By the time the bus finally stopped, it was in a town, Lucca, which I'd never heard of, and never knew how far away I was from the hotel. The driver turned round, and the look of horror on his face when he realised that he'd forgotten about me was priceless! I sat there alone, and shrugged my shoulders. He said in broken English "you wait here, i'll speak to my supervisor" So i waited, and sure enough, his replacement driver said to me " I no forget, I know when to stop" Good, I'd thought, because i haven't got a clue where I was!

The Bus finally arrived back at the hotel, and with a sigh of relief, went back to my room, where i watched an episode of "The Simpsons" and an interview of a old man who had a GS Scooter. Cool!

I decided later in the evening to try the resturant, and I'm glad I did! I ordered the house special, with a bottle of red, and was treated to a pasta starter, Roast beef, new potatoes, and green beans, followed by ice cream - delicious!

The next day That question was still in my head "where do they make the GTS these days?"  I decided to go back to the museum not only to get this question answered, but to also pick up some souveneers.

I got there as the museum was opening for the day, and asked the receptionist if she spoke English "yes" she said. I asked where on earth my Vespa GTS 300 was built and she asked the curator of the museum. He pointed to where I thought was another country, only to be told by the receptionist, that they are made 500 metres away! I was gobsmacked, and I told himm how far I had come and the miles it took. Through the receptionist he gave a look and said "I knew the vespa wouldn't let you down!" so they did still make them in Pontedera! I asked if they had a souveneer shop, and i bought a book on the history of Vespa, plus a few more bits. When I had taken yet more photo's I decided to search for the new factory. Just down the road there it was. I'd not only been to the place where they used to make Vespa's but to the new factory as well! I'm glad I went back!

Right, enough messing about, I've got to make the next stop!

Day 3 Trento

Going through Austria was fantastic, I kept stopping the scooter just to take pictures! The air was fresh, the roads were perfect and the weather was clear!

I just didn't want to leave this place, it was wonderful, as I said the roads were perfect, although I had to keep my eye on the road at all times as there was steep hills and corners, that often took me suprised! I also enjoyed going through tunnel after tunnel, going through each mountain getting closer and closer to Italy. The weather was getting fresher, a little nip in the air, so much it snowed for a short time there!

By the time i reached Trento it was starting to get dark. I had to find the hotel, but the SAT NAV let me down. Just as I thought I was there, it lead me to yet another blind ally, with nothing like a hotel in sight. I had to make a decision and fast as night-time was fast approaching. I decided to use my tent for the first time since I started the trip, and set off looking for a place to pitch up. I found a vineyard that seemed suitable, but as it was windy, I never did get the thing up, and it coming close to 10pm. I decided to have just one last look- if I didn't find it, then i had no other option but to continue on my journey, a task I would not be looking forward to!

I again entered Trento, and I spotted a guy taking pictures of the river, so i asked him If he spoke English "Anglash" I said

"a Little" He said.

So, I explained that I was looking for this hotel, and showed him my paperwork

"Ah, I know" he said, and then started to give me directions to the hotel. I tried to understand him, but his broken English was very poor, and I didn't speak Italian. I gave him a confused look.

"wait here, I show you" he said. So I waited at a junction waiting for this guy, to turn up in his car. But no, he arrived on a motorbike, and indicated that I should follow him. This guy knew the roads, and he sped off, with me bravely trying to keep up. After about 5 miniutes of hair raising twists and turns he finally stopped outside the hotel. Top man! I thanked him and he said good luck on your travels, and I entered the hotel, where I checked in, absolutely shattered, and had a good nights sleep, only woken up about 7.30 by noisy chickens!  Still it was natures alarm clock!