Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

On the ferry to Calais

All went flawlessly through Passport Control, all our tickets were in order and after a short wait we had the all clear to board the ferry, As I led the way up the ramp I could hear what sounded like a 15 gun salute for the up coming corranation, apparently Alan following could see what was causing the commotion. Tilly, backfiring like a boffus gun.
Think we dropped his needle too far

Sounds good… Well see it in this way: at least you guys did get your fair share of attention!!
Cheers Paul

Those boats got pretty large since.......

Could have strapped the bike to the caravan.
Bit worried how Tillys bike will get off the ferry without causing an international incident

Maybe an extra mufler will help…

I'll run this by Tilly

Today was the ride out. Before we left Tilly got at his electrics with my help wisely refused but he wasn't short of advice even the Dog offed his input His work though was successful as he completed the run.
We first visited the Flood Museum documenting the flood of 1953. Very moving seeing all the exhibits.

What a fun filled ride back to Dunkirk, NOT... Poor Tilly had no sleep whatsoever in his ant infested tent and to say he was a bit concerned about breaking down in the 6.5 kilometer tunnel is an understatement of the century and his nerves wasn't helped none by breaking down 10 miles before the tunnel, I noticed his absence in my mirror so pulled over and waited for the phone,, it's all over Tilly says, I'm getting recovery I've had enough. Now getting back to meant a 6 mile ride around the junctions but fair play to Alan by the time I arrived back he'd fixed the bike and was ready to ride off towards the tunnel. A wire had fell off his ignition switch. I did feel a bit guilty guiding him through the tunnel but the alternative might have meant missing the ferry.
After successfully negotiating the tunnel you just couldn't have seen him more pleased.

After all this drama things settled down, we managed 50 miles then had a coffee and cake. Then after another stop we made it to Dunkirk managing to catch an earlier ferry. We were in the company ofa lovely guy Phil on his Norton Rotary engine bike, fantastic looking , he'd just ridden from a rally in Germany heading home to Basingstoke.

Does not sound very nice… I know that tunnel, and it feels like it never comes to an end! Well at least you did manage to catch the ferry on time. Well see it in this way: years to come you guys can memorize your adventures visiting the Dutch rally of 2023… allright with some nerve braking moments, but at the end all turned out for the better!
All the best,
Cheers Paul

Paul Slootheer wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 8:37 am Does not sound very nice… I know that tunnel, and it feels like it never comes to an end! Well at least you did manage to catch the ferry on time. Well see it in this way: years to come you guys can memorize your adventures visiting the Dutch rally of 2023… allright with some nerve braking moments, but at the end all turned out for the better!
All the best,
Cheers Paul

They what doesn't kill you is good for you

Good night in our hotel just 300 yards from where we came off the ferry.
Just ready to set off.
Tilleys moved his bike from under the hotel bedrooms before he starts it,,,, for the sake of someone's coronary.