Dune Playa

Last Bon Jour....

I left Saintes and headed South West, using the Mark 1 Satnav.(compass). Heading towards Bordeux. I wanted to go around as much of the Piarraneze as possible,  so I kept to the country lanes nearest the coast. Very time consuming, but some great scenery. These roads suit the mighty Van Van. Unlike the Peage roads, where the bike and I are thrown all over the place.

Well, I came across this huge sand dune, called Dune Playa.The largest in Europe. Its 330 ft high. So I decided to camp at the base of it and check it out.

Whilst there I met about 40 University leavers, all on a ......er......get drunk session. Wanting to do my bit for British / European relations. I happily took part. They didn't understand me and I didnt understand them. I sang songs in French, making my own words up of course and did allot of arm waving. Result !!!!

It did however result in me not appearing out of my tent till lunch time. An hour of packing all my kit away and it was always going to be a late finish, to get to the Spanish border. ( ooops ).

I am writing this sat having a coffee, about 10 km south ( favourite  word ) of Pamplona. Spain.

The Van Van has a couple of leaks and gear selection is a problem. Having Googled it. Turns out a common problem is, a spring being put in the wrong way around. From the gearbox sump plug end. Ive checked mine.....and yes, its the wrong way round !!! So nursing the bike at the moment. Desperately need to get to a competant Suzuki Dealer in Murcia. I'm praying that going over the lower part of the Piarraneze, hasn't generated further problems.

Lovely weather. ..or is it whether, here. 29 degrees. Looking forward to seeing an old Army mate, a mate from Radcliffe, where I'm from and the FMX clan. Where I intend to spend some money on the bike.  Getting ship shape for Africa. :)

Find An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down. ..on Facebook. Search " London to Johannesburg.". And click " Like ".

Check out some of the photos I took on the way. :) " Oooola". :)))))

Saintes

Bon jour. ...

I got up from Boer watch yesterday morning, made breakfast and packed my kit away. I was on the D 307 for 8 am. And of course, following my ' satnav ', heading South. From Le Mans. ( The mighty Van Van suited the race track ) :)

Having had a few delays, due to phone and minor bike issues. I wanted to get a good few kms under my belt.

So I crancked up the 12 bhp and held on tight and sat at 45 mph. ( 75km ph) .The Van Van is actually really comfortable. With my sleeping bag behind me, it's like sitting in your favourite arm chair. All be it with allot of buffeting.

Through the French countryside on a nice day. What could be better ? These little villages remind me of how England was about 40-50 years ago. A very different way of life. Slow and peaceful.

So I sometimes made a point of standing up on my bike whilst riding through, just to see their reaction.
Nice though.

I kept going, through Saumur and over the Loire river. On the D 938, heading to Parthenay. Eventually I finished up just outside Saintes. Having covered 350 kms.  Not too shabby for a 125, carrying allot of weight !

Today I am staying at my first camp site. Having stayed in various woods so far. ( Im still not over the Ravioli,  Boer theft )!

So it's been an exciting day here at An Idiot Got Bored.  Doing my laundry in the shower. ( Didn't take long. One have 3 pairs of socks and boxers. .lol ) Fixing the puncture on my Vango mat. And trying to fix my multi fuel cooker. I only have enough Hexi blocks for two more days. So I need this Chinese cooker to work . Or its cold 'boil in the bag ', till I can get a replacement.

Also tightened up a few nuts on the mighty Van Van and wax oiled the chain. ( I do have a little idea for protecting the chain in the Sahara. Watch this space. )

Going to have a big day tomorrow and get to the Spanish boarder. Im heading for the coast. So as to go around the Piarraneze and not over.

Put some photos of today's laundry. And other bits. O and I just wanted to say " hi " to Mark, Jonny, Vali and Costelli over in Romania. Although all highly homo sexual.  They were good lads to work with . ( Woz e ma. .moooooow ). ;)

And Mark. You best hurry up and pick my car up . As Becy is stressing as its on the drive. :)

Speak soon. Off to fold my boxers.

Will

Van Van arrives at Le Mans.

Just a quick one for you. The mighty Van Van is running well. And like a true under dog, keeps plugging away. I'm loving the French country side and D roads. Basically, I am travelling down through France and then Spain, on rural lanes.

Just arrived at Le Mans. No idea where I am going to camp. As long as there are no Boers, I don't really mind. I still can't believe they stole my pot with ravioli in it....and the lid too !! The cheek.!!!

Accidently found myself riding on the Le Mans 24 hour circuit.

Lol. That's the rear view, , looking down one of the straights. I think there is a Moto GP on at the weekend. I'm still wondering were I will sleep tonight. In Macdonalds right now. Borrowing some electricity and wi fi.

Oooops. Should have put that photo first. I also wanted to thank " Hamk. " aka " Victor". Who owns the brasserie Normandie.In L'Aigle. He lent me his phone and I was able to sort out my own phone issues. Had a great steak, chips and pepper sauce. First meal I've not made myself. ( Still annoyed about the ravioli theft .) :)

Once I sort out what and where im staying tonight. I shall plan my route for tomorrow.  Broadly speaking, I'm heading for the coast. And Biarritz.

Ok. Speak soon. Please feel free to eat as much bacon as you like. :)


Find me on Facebook. ' London to Johannesburg.' Click " Like " and you will automatically know when there is a new blog. And a huge "hello" to the French and Spanish Van Van Owners Clubs .;)

Will.

Wild Boer

Phone issues are over now. EE turned me on internationally now. ( Oy yoy.).

I had expected my trip through France and Spain to be proving ground for myself, the bike and my kit.

I didn't expect there to be an incident every day.

Yesterday I changed the oil on my bike and adjusted the new chain.

Thought I'd finally get a few miles under my belt.  But no. Really high winds put pay to that. (I don't mean me after a curry.) Had the bike at 20 degrees. It was also raining heavily.
And I've removed my front fender.  And put Monster Truck oil in my forks. Loads better off road and more clearance.

Down side. Riding my bike in the rain. Is like riding in the shower with a hose pipe in your face !!! It's great fun. You should all try it. It's like some sort of pain endurance test. How long can you last?

Ok ive got a moan coming.  And it's to China.  Stop making stuff with moving parts. You are rubbish at it. Stick to soup and noodles! !!
My multi fuel cooker has already fell apart.  And my wind proof petrol light, has never once lit. I am now using my back up cooker, good old Hexi blocks and wind proof matches.

So, last night I saw a sign which was the French equivalent of the Ministry of Defence on a huge wooden area near L'Aigle. .......so I thought it would be probably easier to get in their, than some farmer field.

So I did.  Peeing it down again. I made myself a huge pot of Ravioli with Tabasco sauce. (Not wanting to use my boil in the bag packs).

Well. When it was time for bed  I put my rubbish bag and pot of ravioli about 10 m away from the tent. Put a lid on the pot, with a rock on it.

Well I'd like to report a theft !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I woke up to my rubbish bag everywhere.  And both pot and lid, with my ravioli stolen ! Wild Boer had ganged up and knicked my pot and breakfast. !!!!! How out of order is that. So I am sat here, just had a bacon sandwich, whilst writing this blog. Back at you Boer, I hope I ate your cousin.

So finally sorted oil and chain on bike and phone issues. Just need to find a bike charger on route now. And im sorted. Going to enjoy seeing Le Mans. Always wanted to go there. And then head towards the coast. So I can go around the Piarraneze, rather than over. Plus Biarritz sounds like they are Boer free.

Photos are from last night. Before the theft occured!!! Can't believe they stole my ravioli, the pot and the lid !!!!! Hhhhhhm baaaaaacon sandwich. ......

I do do a diary every night. Listen to some music and plan my next day.

Remember that I am suffering my Boer theft for wounded Servicemen.  Please press Help for Heroes logo and donate a bit of cash.

Will " I love bacon " Moore

As anyanyone on the Extreme Stunt Show. Will tell you.....I love my boots and shorts.

Don't go down to the woods tonight. .

Bit dark in these ere French woods.I spent about 5 hours in a small town called Gournay en Bray, , yesterday. Trying to sort my phone issue.Turns out its my service provider.  Bit annoying. But will spend £20 from a phone box tomorrow.  And get them to wave their magic techno wand.

Photo above was last nights location. I've stayed off main roads. And have been heading South or South West. Using my MK 1 Satnav. Aka as a compass. Rural France is really lovely. But all the villages seem to be shut, when I turn up. No people, just lots of little Renault s everywhere.

So it was gettting close to 9pm and was raining. I saw some woods in distance and headed for them. I got the mighty Van Van about 30 m inside the woods. To find I qaa ridding on a bed of thorn bushes. " Gosh" I thought again.
Back tracked slightly and made camp.


I didn't bother making the tent, due to the time. Just using it as a bivi bag, as its Goretex. All my kit down one side. Inflatable mat and doss bag on the other.

Dinner is served. Had to use a boil in the bag. Corn beef hash. Love it. You can keep your salads and Roast Pheasant Voller Vons :)

Dangerous Brian didn't find me a plastic mug. No bother. I boil the water and food in one pot.Have my tea bag and three sweeteners in the other pot. Dinner ready and tea at same time. Pot can be a tad hot though.

Almost impossible to do this without mobile blogger. Lost sata twice. This has took nwarly 2 hrs. Will get EE fixed tomorrow.

Above is my camp. Bivi bag. Cookingarea and rear of bike. The top box is the kitchen and First Aid area.

Ok. Off on the road again. Not a eace but want to make some gwad qay. Still heading towards Le Mans. Hopefully be there tomorrow.  Phone issues permitting.

Couldn't sleep. ..in the rainy woods. 3 am... what do you do ?? Get your I pod on and have a little boogie.listening to The River by Good Charlot.

Will

France. Some where. .......near disaster.Day 1

Bon Jour

Boy....what a 48 hrs. Firstly thank you to all the Van Van ers who came down to The Biker Store. And "cheers" to Nod for all the support and bits at the end there.

Got some major mobile phone issues here. Well...it wont work!  I work abroad allot and have never had this problem before. My mobile wont register to any network.  Using Macdonalds wi fi at the moment.  I can't call EE as eeeer, the phone doesn't register to a network. Nod. Could you ask them to press their magic button or e mail me. I will pick it up on my next Wi fi visit. Very annoying and frustrating.  I cant make or recieve a call .

Well Day 1......wasn't in a rush. Finally got to Calais around 0030 hr.Went down the coast on a D road. Basically a country lane and got my head down at 2 am.

Used the tent as a Bivi bag, as its Gortex. Woke up next to a sign. It said ( in French. With symbols).Eeer ....No Camping.  No Bikes. No Smoking.  No Fires.So 3 out of 4 broken on my first night, not too shabby !

Decided to potter down the coast. Saw Le Touquet signs. Huge beach, which has a massive Enduro on it. Put some photos up, some Swiss chap took.

I've re jigged slightly the luggage. Boy the bike is hwavy and not easy to balance. It also has a slight oil leak. And is desperate for a service Im on Day 2 now. Just bought the 10w 40.And will change it tonight. Once ive found a spot to hide the tent.

Anyway. Yesterday I very nearly died.Pretend this is the uk. It might be easier. Whilst briefly on the A16. And in the slow way down lane. I heard a massive screach of tyers. At which point a VW Golf over took me, all four wheels locked and in a huge skid.He over took me at about 70/80mph. His steering wheel was turned left.... and he did a complete 360 in front of me !!! Not 20 meters away, whilst im doing about 45/50 mph.The golf came right across my lane, , just missing me and smashed into the side barrier !!!

I immediately went to the nearest bath room!! So Day 1 and nearly died. That night I found a disussd quary. And pitched up in tgere. Away from pring eyes and the wind. The owner did come over and was happy for me to stay. Said he would read the blog. So "bon jour.  Tres bien". That's about all I've got.

Today I was heading towards Le Mans.But decided to buy a mobile charger and engine oil.In Macdonalds doing this.My mobile wont connect to a network. EE  help !!!

Anyway. 90% all good.  Not surprisingly, im stt doing things I would gave done before departure.  Had the bike not been stolen. Had quite a few strange looks off the French locals.As my bike does look like a furniture removal van.

If anyone can help with this mobile, id appreciate it. EE Samsung 3 mini. Data Roaming etc is on. Even though it shouldn't need that, to pick up a network.  Just says Emergency Calls !

Nazi bunker. My first nights pitch.No Camping. No bikes.....ooops

 Check out my " satnav".....compass....Soooooouth

Leaving tomorrow. 2 pm . Blindley Heath. Surrey.

What a 10 months it has been. I sat in my nice little flat in Surrey last November.  I had only recently got a self employed position in the Film Industry. But still had big hankering to get a two year FTRS with the Army. (A 2 year full time contact. You can go on tour etc ). But due to an old back issue,( twice I had had a trapped Sciatic nerve ). I was unable to pursue it.

That's when riding to Mongolia, then changed to Johannesburg.  Was born. I wanted to combine righting a wrong, on behalf of wounded servicemen. And to challenge myself to do something outside of the box.

So blar blar. ....here we are ten months later.

I'm not going to name names. As there are so many. And just like the "thank you " speach at a wedding. You start naming, you just know someone's nose is going to be put out of joint.

So. From me the custodian of this Challenge. And the me that is doing it. " Thank you very much to all those who threw their hat in the ring ". Xxxxx

It's my website.  Twangs at the heart.

Couple of pics of the fully operational Van Van. Hope I can get it back out now. Lol

Catch you in France.Where eating cheese,block aiding and making love to your neighbors wife, are obligatory.Just saying.....

Will

Bike fixed. Wiring Loom repaired.We are all systems GO !

Dear Thieves......


This is what I have to say to you.

Yesterday i found my bike had been stolen.I found it 200 meters away with the wires all hanging out.Made an emergency A & E call to Aye Gee Suzuki, ( who I have never met before. ) And WOW ! They have been amazing. The wiring loom is all patched up and fixed. The DiD Heavy Duty Chain and Sprocket fitted. And the inner tubes all slimed up.Mega. Off to pick the bike up in a minute.

I will check the mighty Van Van out. Go through the final " To Do " List. Dangerous Brian is off to the Money Shop for me.And is going to get various currencies.( Hopefully for the countries I am actually visiting ) !!

I did manage to fit in the remainder of all my jabs yesterday. Despite Dangerous Brian taking me to a street with same name as the Surgery I was meant to visiting.But in completely the wrong part of London.!! Tower Rd Dartford. Brian.........not Erith !! lol Got there in the end. :)

So it's onwards and down wards from here on in. An Idiot Got Bored........The Slow Way Down is a go!!!!!

See you all at Blindley Heath. Surrey. Leaving at 1400 hrs. Outside The Biker Store.RH 76 JP. Come along and support the cause.

All for wounded servicemen. Many of whom are in wheel chairs. Having lost arms and legs in IED's.

Come on...Make a wee donation.It wont change your world. But together, we can change theirs!..Click the Help for Heroes Logo top right.Or stick a part of your children's inheritance in the Team Fuel Tank.

Speak soon. Ooool la lar. Here i come.


Will