Home(Counties) Boys on Tour - Part 2

[Bill Newman]

Went to the Belgium 40th Anniversary Rally this weekend with Tlc, GotaZ1B and Paul McE. It was a great Rally , preceded by a not so great ride there. We rode into the teeth of a really fierce wind for the first couple of hours and that can drain you - just hanging on.

Zeroed the trip and on my way on Friday morning




Met Chris and Paul at the Tunnel at Folkestone



Got on board the train - different to to ferry for Germany where everything is lashed down




Then into France for fuel


The other tourists struggled to get their heads round what we do(or rather the machinery on which we do it...)


Paul decided to clean his bike on the way - clearly been spending too much time with BunnyZ



Got to the hotel at about 4.30 after expert navigation by Chris all the way - including the notorious Antwerpe ring road



Then down to the Rally site to meet our hosts as more and more bikes started to arrive.




The Rally location - a bit like a country park was very nice



Will finish in a new thread - having issues with Photobucket

[Bill Newman]

After a good night( better for some than others) we had a look round the town - really clean, well kept and safe



Shared space for pedestrians cars bikes works well



Interesting sculptures





Garth got his usual free service at a foreign rally - this time clutch and handlebars





Then on to the Ride Out to Zolder - where there was a track day being held

[Bill Newman]

Some interesting bikes on show



















A deserved prize winner










Then on to the evening party - Paul blagged a waist coat









A good time was had by the fire or in the marquee





Then off in the morning - to say our goodbyes





They let us on early at le tunnel sous la Manche



Big queues though - 25 minute wait to board



Home by 7.00pm



675 miles for the weekend


[IMG]http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/BillNewman09/078-2.jpg[/IMG

[Bill Newman]

Now I can say been there, done that, got the T shirt



What I should say is this has been one of the most enjoyable weekend rallies I have been on. Our hosts could not do enough for us - friendly, generous and kind in all respects. We were made really welcome. The hospitality shown in other countries is well known - but its every bit as good in Belgium and the beer is good too

Those guys worked so hard to make their rally a success, with real effort and care going into the rideout, the entertainment and the welcome.

I should also express my appreciation for the company of Paul, Chris and Garth over the weekend - they are fantastic travelling companions.

[Flying Tiger]

Great set of pictures Bill! Certainly makes me wish I went!!

[tlc]

The pictures are now uploaded on the Belgian club facebook page.

Here is our group photo with Gertie.

[uk kev]

great pictures

[Padders]

Cheers Bill some great pictures.

[zedrob]

ditto about the pictures.........almost felt like I was there