Bobbi's Travels

Day 1 Had to pack as I’d got home late from a club run the day before, rode up from Dorset to Gloucestershire in sunshine to my first landmark in Toddington, then across to Tewkesbury and the M50 – an empty motorway! Met some bikers at the Oasis café in Abergavenny but missed ‘Woody’ from the Forum I frequent, so rode to my sister’s home at Llantilio Crossenny, my temporary base.

Day 2 Abergavenny – Brecon – Llandovery where I found the landmark easily, then via Carmarthen to Laugherne on the South coast, photo the castle and talked to a man who had 8 British bikes in his garage. On to Fishguard, found the landmark after a roadwork’s crew got a map out and showed me. It was down a footpath, and a police officer kindly moved his car so I could photo the bike in front of the "Old Fort" sign – thanks Mr Plod. Phoned my sister to say I wouldn’t be back by 7.30! On to Newcastle Emlyn castle, but my luck and my disposable camera ran out and the other one was in my room! Oh well. Late afternoon and all the filling stations are closed. Help! Finally found one at Lampeter, much relief – phoned Gillian again; she said she’d cancel the table she’d booked – oops! Not an easy road, I was tired and it was getting dark and cold, but from Llandovery to Abergavenny the A40 looks like an ‘A’ road again, then B road and up the lane. I dipped the headlight to see the awful surface better, and then quickly back on main beam! Fact – if you can’t see how bad the surface is, the bike doesn’t wobble so much! Turned in to Gillian gate but couldn’t face the track, which is surfaced with loose stones and with a drop on the right, parked the bike at the top and walked down. Chicken? Yeah, cluck cluck!

Day 3 Early start, but I spent ages looking round the two castles I visited, and chatting to an elderly gent about his Velocette. Then via Hereford to a mid-afternoon breakfast at "Le Café" in the Square at Bromyard. They’re always glad to see bikers, but Carol says if you come in a group, phone beforehand so she can get extra help in, as Alan will be outside looking at the bikes! Then on to Worcester – a ride I used to do fortnightly on my BSA Dandy moped – arguably the worst thing BSA ever produced! From Worcester to Droitwich to photo a statue there and then the M5 to my old friend Helen in Solihull.

Day 4 Left late (nattering again), headed ‘The Bratch’ locks, where I watched some boats going thru and chatted to a (pedal) cycling chef I met. Then out into Shropshire only to be foiled from reaching the Iron Horse by "Foot & Mouth" signs. Never mind, photo the signboard and off to the horseshoe stack at the smithy north of Telford. I called it a day then as I’d planned to meet Graham, so I took to the motorway, as it’s a good way to get thru the city – usually! But today some idiot decided to hang from a bridge, causing closure of the M6 and traffic chaos! I filtered for MILES down the M5, ending on quite the wrong side of Birmingham. I found my way back to Solihull mainly by instinct, trying to avoid the choked roads and working my way back. Never got to see Graham but I did get back to Helen’s.

Funny moment – stopped to look at the map, along came 2 little boys, as I took my lid off, one said, "Cor, it’s a lady! I didn’t know ladies could ride motorbikes! "

And an observation – filtering on the M5 (which I’ve never done before) I was pleased at how many drivers moved over to let me thru – including a Volvo! Also I was quite amazed how many people are totally unable to show you where you are on a map!

Day 5 Wanted the NON-motorway route to Warwick but the signs stopped so used the motorway anyway, couldn’t find my road, had to go all round and find the other end! Worth it though, at the Old Smithy, now used by a wood-burning stove company, I was offered coffee and use of the loo by Julie, who was "holding the forge" while her boss was away!

Then I headed south in the first rain since Tues evening, but at Chipping Norton it was hot sunshine. Visited the Tourist Office to find my next landmark and lunch seemed an idea so I bought probably the Best Sandwich in England – freshly made with doorsteps of crusty bread, bulging with ham and salad! It’s hard to start again when you’re full and it’s sunny but I found the Hawk Stone, then set off for home. Checking the map just outside Burford, first a dirt-biker, then a dear old gent on a pushbike, stopped to see if I was ok! Swindon, Marlborough – back on home ground, Salisbury was chock a block as usual so I toodled round some back roads and home to Wareham.

With the club run the day before, I’d done 1300 miles – so I did another run on the Sunday, making a total 1400 miles in 8 days, without even a hint of a sore bum – full marks Kawasaki for the seat.

I’ll admit I was nervous before I went on my first solo trip – but now I can’t wait to do it again! I would refuel earlier, as I really didn’t like the bit when I was low on petrol – I had my RAC card and mobile phone, but it was dark and lonely, which is ok as long as you keep going! Also I may join the YHA as I’m told they don’t mind if you turn up at 10pm, but friends and relatives tend to expect you for tea! The main real problem I had was finding loos, it’s not so easy for a female to nip behind a hedge.

Oh – and always ask a lorry driver if you want to know where you are!