Having ended up with a Africa Twin XRV750 I thought I had better start doing
what owners of this type of bike do and that is "pack up and go".  So
following a few test runs to South Wales, Exmoor etc I decided that now was
the time to go a little further and for longer.  Where to go !!! I know
Andorra and why not take in the Millau Bridge too... Plan accepted - Solo
run with tent. 

Rules were:  No motorways - no more than 250 miles in any one day - no fast
riding - and most important CHILL and enjoy

Camping was really the only option as I don't have a budget that would run
to Hotels, B&Bs etc... Well maybe just the one !!

I left on the Friday night boat from Portsmouth to Caen and landed at 6.30am
and rode to a site just outside Samur in the Loire Valley. Each day I got up
at about 7am and was on the road by 8.30... I would stop for a break every 2
hours or so or when I saw a good view or interesting sight.  In the evenings
I would either for cook myself or visit and nearby Café or bar - I would try
and write my blog and see if I could find a free WiFi spot - if not I would
look for a MacDonald's the next day as they supply free Wifi - thank you
Ronald..  Note blog site is at http://nigel-grace.blogspot.com/ - please
forgive the ramblings of a lone biker.

During the trip I found some very good camp-sites and the best two were
www.motocamp.com which catered for bikers and is run by a Dutch couple
(Brilliant stop) and Xixerella in Andorra
http://www.campings.com/camping-xixerella-erts/?idlengua=3.  The only B&B
for the trip was another great place run by a German couple at
www.refuge-pour-motards.de just north of the Millau Viaduct - I fear I had a
late night and too many lagers that night.

The Viaduct was fabulous and so was the ride through the Tarn Gorge.  But
the highlight was probably the roads over and through the Pyrenees
themselves in France, Spain and Andorra - especially finding myself amongst
the snow and the ski lifts !!!

I won't ramble on too much - but it was a great trip and the bike did not
skip a beat for the whole 1800 miles... 

Now planning the next mini adventure - I can't get Poland, Lithuania and
Estonia out of my mind - will I do it solo again - well I'm not sure about
that - any volunteers out there !!!!

1789 Miles - 9 Days - Max Speed 82mph

Nigel Grace BEM