Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is not going to be buried or cremated, but recycled into shopping bags so he can remain white plastic and dangerous for kids to play with.
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France trip day 7 Sat 20th June 09

Really glad I stopped over in Rouen for the Friday night as I did not realise how tired I was until I hit the sack and zonked out. Up bright and early and ready to go by 7. A thankfully dull day at last, I have sweltered all week in what is really winter kit. When we met up with the British bike club people earlier in the week I tried on a Joe Rocket meshed summer jacket which would be ideal so the hunt is on. This morning Ethel took a day off from belching out a big cloud of blue smoke on start up - dunno why she sometimes does this - and we were off and away. Just for a change Telenav actually worked and threaded us out of Rouen for the 120 mile dull autoroute run to Calais. Of course upon closing in upon the final exit Telenav crapped out and froze but by then I could hardly go anywhere but the ferry. Immediately upon arriving back in England I was struck by the brutal aggression and inconsiderate attitude of English drivers. The contrast is immediate, the traffic density is a shock, they drive too fast too close with a general attitude of Fuck You.
All of which brings me to a huge thank you to Northants Advanced Motorcyclists for the superb training over last winter which gave me 1500 miles of fast but drama free riding on my little European adventure.
Next up I fancy a run to Thuringia in the old East Germany and maybe Grenada next year. Who knows ?
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France trip day 7 Friday 19th June 09

Another superb full day out with Jack Hawkins leading the way all along Omaha beach through to the British / Canadian end plus the Hillman Battery and on to Pegasus bridge plus loadsa stops and explanations at off the beaten track places. Great. Got out Gixered on some really fast twisty stuff - boy that bike really picks up and wangs around corners but was pleased to mostly be in touch on old Ethel on some great biking roads.
Really, really pissed off with the shit Telenav gps download needed for the Blackberry because Vodafone UK packages do NOT work in France. The garbage Telenav has crapped out on me every time I have really needed it. Tonight it was fine until I was directed off the Autoroute outside Rouen into a choice of directions at which point Telenav froze and stopped navigating. I took a guess then had to stop and reboot Telenav which then took me miles out via one track hillside lanes. My destination was a hotel on an industrial estate just off a dormitory residential area. I eventually arrived with some lucky guesswork. So Blackberry users out there - do not consider or buy Telenav, it is a shit product that does not work.
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France trip day 6 Thursday 18 June 09

Today was the best biking day since I came back to riding. Jack Hawkins www.freewebs.com/gixajack , having provided excellent accomodation and great food, then led a private battlefield tour of no less than 17 different USA locations each of which was provided with a full description of what happened, when and why. As a shit tourist, I've seen loadsa churches, castles, museums n stuff plus loathing tourist tat, I asked for off the beaten track points of interest and then let's get back on the bikes and ride. And that is exactly what I got for 9 hours. The riding was great, twisties, swoopy stuff and great fun keeping pace with a well ridden Gixer. Can't wait for morning when we set off to visit Omaha beach then on to the British section.


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France Trip day 5

Went 60 miles west this morning to British ex pat riders picnic at Cartenac. Very friendly bunch of assorted early retirees, some content with their lot and others seemingly eager to share woes. I heard last night from another ex pat that many want to return to the UK but are trapped by the property crash and are stuck with devalued funds running low.
Took my leave of the Honda Owners Club to go east to Normandy via Rennes and Avranches - a very hot ride. The couple I am staying with have true ex squaddie black humour and very interesting lives. A great evening including healthy, spicy food - thank god for that after the past few evenings.
Tomorrow its off to see the American invasion areas on Ethel with off the beaten track places to visit and insights.
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France trip day 4 June 16 09

Satnav resolved - well almost. Got it to charge from new connector, bought from Super U lady in Dinan with such a spectacularly open fronted dress I was amazed but delighted she is allowed to wear it to work. Kept having to lean forward to say Pardon ?
Went on a bimble deliberately keeping off main roads. Doing this France appears uninhabited except for the odd car that is about pulling straight out from the right as villages do not always have right of way warnings at small junctions and it is here that old habits die hard - give way to the right because they do come out without looking.
Tomorrow is the last with the Honda brigade before I go up to Normandy for guided battlefield tours - led by Jack on his gixer.
So tomorrow we are being picked by the local British Bikers club to pick up ex pat riders along the 100km route to a picnic.
Then its straight back through and on to Normandy.
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France Trip day

Today we had a little trundle out to the tourist ghetto that is Le Mont St Michel. The French have managed to reverse engineer Disneyland. Baking hot day and sweltering under remaining bike gear of jacket and back protector. Glad to get going again - went to a picturesque seaside place with oyster beds - 12 oysters to eat fresh Euros 3.85 - but no takers amongst us. Tomorrow I am going for a proper ride aiming for anywhere off main routes going West. Who knows where I'll end up. Funny how magnetic bikes are. On Day 1 a Belgian rushed up before I had got off the bike to ask directions to the D Day beaches then today the same thing with French and Germans eager to talk bikes and ask what we are doing. Odd how you are never alone for long when travelling solo yet get isolated when in a group.
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