Three Weeks Ireland by Motor Bike
May 13th - 16th; From Kleinsendelbach to Dublin
(Details and references see at the Time shedule).
May 13th 2000
Starting for Ireland (after a sleepless night for Christine -
excited with a little fear of this adventures trip) and also after 15 minutes
tracing for Wolfgang's ignition key a little bit delayed approx. at 9.00a.m.
After the first 10 km on the highway direction Würzburg - in the other
direction blockage - but, thank's god, not in our direction - only a few small
bridge sites.
Best weather conditions, the sun is shining and the feeling is cool and dry.
After a lunch stop (very cheap, as we paid only for one of us - we recognized
it afterwards) we feel more comfortable and warm and also it seems that the
temperature is increasing in the sun. A long way and we passed the Netherlands
and arrived in Belgium 8 hours later. Here we are missing a petrol resp.
service station and the road is nearly endless - kilometer by kilometer.
Finally we entered a parking place with signs "coffee/food", but
that's not our day - nothing open. We asked a Greek truck driver (no English,
neither German ) but we learned that we missed the only good Motel in this
Region. A few kilometer later, we found a petrol station and a helpful car
driver told us, that the second exit Loewen? (ah, Leuven ! ) there is a Motel
"Forumula1". After 30 Minutes later - we found the exit, but not
this Motel (very difficult to ask the locals, as Christine's French is not
enough to understand them), but with good luck, we found the Motel. Shocking,
the room is so small and there is only place for a small french bed (shower
and toilet on the floor). Only one pillow and after a short scuffle we slept
already. After 10 hours on the road and 600 km you can also sleep in a shoe
carton.
May 14th 2000
After a more or less worse night and a typical breakfast
(marmelade, baguette coffee and orange juice) - we did not expect more of this
etablissement and we abstained from a shower due to lack of time (and also the
shower was so small - one cannot use it wihtout fear) we left this
uncomfortable place for the highway. Ups, was it the hard night or the
uncommon entry of the highway, but we still passed this obstacle without
accident for Brussels.
Always the same: a monstrous roundabout in Ostende - we surrounded it twice,
as we could find the right exit (and I almost lost Wolfgang for the first time
on this trip - but forced a car driver to let me out, as I recognized that
Wolfgang was already to leave the roundabout.
Well, we did it and also found the right way to Calais for the "Tunnel"
train station. But, we had the same problem as yesterday - where are all the
petrol stations? I ask myself, as Wolfgang passed a BP station without stoppping
- very couraged. The next Service Station, Wolfgang recognized it in the last
second and thought it is to late for me, so we passed it also without a stop.
Afterwards I told him, that I indeed have seen the sign for this service
station and for sure have had enough time reaching the exit - but the chance
has gone already). But, then we saw the signs for the "Tunnel" and
also found a service station nearby, which means tastable food (of course, we
are in France) for us and petrol for our bikes.
The signs for the "Tunnel" are well placed (I recognized this
already during my first trip to England) and so we had no problems to find it.
The motor bikers entering the train at least. Besides our Trophy and Virago
there is a Harley, a Transalp and F650 with their Riders in the train (only
male riders partly with their wives, I am the only female rider (Chrisitne)).
We had a little talk with the other riders, a baguette and the 35 minutes to
Folkstone/England are almost over. It would be nice, if the Tunnel would have
windows to take a look to the underwater live, but I know, it is not possible
(Christine).
Just thinking about this, we arrive in Folkstone. Remember to drive on the
left side in England! (oh, oh Christine).
Leaving the train, no problem and direct to the M20 - left driving easier
than expected (Christine), but Wolfgang hardly did not see a car, but the
driver is very carefully (most of the British and Irish car drivers are
carefully with right driving tourists) and provides Wolfi for a crash.
Is this the next exit on the left for the M26/M25 or not ... to late ... sh..t,
we missed it. And again an extra kilometer and we try it once more and catched
the right way. We learned during this trip, that there are no parking
possibilities on the highways - we just stopped at the side on demand. But
they have beautiful service stations with Motels and shopping possibilities.
We entered such a highway paradise nearby Oxford and booked a hotel room,
which was 3x more expensive than the Formula1 in Leuven, but 10x more
comfortable.
May 15th 2000
As we won 1 hour due to the time difference Germany/ England
we invested it in one hour more sleep and a tasty French breakfast. Wondering,
as we are in England and we expected horrible food. Then we left for Holyhead,
where we have to catch the fairy in time (horrible thoughts of sea-sickness
in my mind - Christine).
We take the M54 and we are counting kilometer by kilometer (at this time, most
of the distances are already mentioned in kilometers) until we enter the A5,
which - at the beginning - is comfortable. We are glad about it, as we have
500 kilometers to the fairy. But then, the road becomes smaller and many curves,
and the country side looks beautiful.
As the sunny weather has gone and now it's cold and rainy. At least we stopped
and changed to rain gloves (oh, it's hard for the hands with this junky gloves
(a new experience for me - Christine), but the weather is getting better the
nearer we come to Holyhead (help, the ferry - already sea-sick in advance -
Christine ). But still it was cold (getting into mood for Ireland's weather).
Approx. 2.20 p.m. we arrived at the ferry. We are surprised by a quick
checking-in, as the motor bikes are allowed to enter the ferry before quite
a lot of busses, cars, etc. - sometimes it's an advantage to travel by bike.
There is only light sea and we crossed the sea without troubles and a clown
shortened the travel time for the childrens and also the adults (this from
Wolfgang's point of view). Now my suffer: sitting on a chair looking always
into one direction I am glad, that we have a calm sea I am chewing a special
sea-sick-gum. To be on the safe side, I had this day only small breakfast and
since then nothing, but I really don't feel well. Thank's god, right before
my empty stomach getting upset, we arrived at Dublin harbour.
Checking out easy like checking in, as motor bikes can get out first - but,
what the hell ... what's that? there's a big towel sideways and we have to
"jump" with bikes, but we leave the ferry without accident.
Dublin harbour, big town and heavy traffic after work - an adventure! We are
surprised to find palms here in north of Europe - could be in Italy. If we
had a small chance to find a parking place for our bikes, we have made a
proof picture. At least we are on N11 in south direction, after two times
surrounding the same place and I (Christine) crossed a red traffic light,
otherwise I have lost Wolfgang in the heavy traffic - not as bad, as it was
only a supermarket traffic light and some other Irish did the same -
afterwards some Irish told me that it's normal). After Ashford we finished
the day and entered a Motel for a room and dinner (our last meal we had, was
breakfast). Although, my stupid question, whether they have a Guinness was
unnecessary like a goitre. After dinner - falling into bed dog-tired.
May 16th 2000
Rain!!!
Of course, all the meteorologist could not be wrong, they have promised it
several times (but we didn't believe).
After a regular rain shower (shower) we enjoy our first "Irish Breakfast"
(eggs, jam, toast and marmalade). Despite of expectation, the Irish coffee is
drinkable (and even with hot milk for cafe-o-lait ).
After a while, hoping that rain will end, we give up this hope and start for
Tramore. How wonderful this trip could be without this bloody rain - but, to
be true, we had some minutes without rain - the country side here is simply
beautiful - especially the last few kilometers before Tramore - even Christine
recognized it (Christine: I had to concentrate, as we had a bad sight due to
the rain and bumpy roads and also I had to take care not to loose Wolfgang).
April 6th 2015
