Devall Travels

We enjoyed our weekend away so much, even with the traffic difficulties, that I have made a booking at another local hotel for the same race weekend in 2019. This one, Wapen van Vries ,  is actually almost opposite the pizza place we went to this year in Vries.  It's maybe five minutes further along from the motorway than this year's place.   It's all free cancellation and no prepayment so we can cancel if need be. It's also some €60 cheaper for us, although I don't think Neill will save much, if he comes. Hopefully after her operation in October 2018,  Claire will be back on the bike and not in the pain she was the last time and we can make a more sedate holiday out of the trip.

Sunday, Bloody Sunday. Up early, for a Sunday anyway.  Breakfast in the hotel and then all three of us in the car to the circuit. Neill's Beemer locked up alongside the hotel for the whole weekend. Cars went in the same entrance as the day before. This time the stewards directed us into the parking square (dykes on three sides!!) much nearer to the entrance than Saturday! A shorter walk. There were only a few bikes on the tarmac section. We went through to the uncovered stand nearer the chicane than the day before but although the view was good, we couldn't see the big screen that faces the main grandstand.  So we moved.  We couldn't get as far along as before but that was okay. We had missed the BSB warm-up but were in tome for all the undercard... the same as the day before with the Talent Cup, ADAS KTM's and the Ducati Tri-Options.   On Saturday we had heard some cheering and chanting but didn't realise it w...

Once we had got into the circuit and gone through the tunnel into the paddock area we had to decide where to sit to watch the undercard races and the qualifying for the main BSB event. In the end we had a walk around the paddock where the teams are situated.  The sidecars proved a draw as they are easy to chat to without going on the pit lane walk where the BSB teams hide out. We sat in the grandstand almost by the start and finish line.  The undercard had races on both days and the British Talent Cup on Honda 250's proved to be some good racing along with the ADAC Cup (KTM) and the Ducati TriOptions Cup  were pretty entertaining. BSB qualifying was a little disappointing for us with Suzuki concession tickets as both riders, Bradley Ray and Richard Cooper, failed to qualify from the first session and were way down the grid for Sunday in 17th and 15th spot. I had the Nikon with me but the standard lends was very limiting, plus my finger/eye ...

Up and out early enough to get a few hours seeing what Assen town has to offer the tourist before goung to the track for the undercard races and then BSB qualifying. But first a couple of pics near the hotel. I took the Nikon with standard lens and for track action it was a little too short in the lens.  The market in Assen has wonderful flowers and even arrangements. I took a few photos... We bought some food for lunch at the track as well. Claire bought some chrysanthemums for €2. And there was cheese..... and loads of it. Everything has changed at the track,  or at least access has. Easier to get in but car parking a fair way from the entrance!! Our team didn't fair well and both Bradley Ray and Richard Cooper failed the qualify from Q3. Took some pix. More to follow when I get to a computer as the phone app is terrible. 

We finally arrived about 2010 local time. A total of 10 hours on the road with a few short breaks. This was from home admittedly via Reggie's kennels. Traffic horrific from Antwerp to about Amersfoort. It took 55 minutes to get around Antwerp on their ring road. F*** knows how long through the middle!! Plus Belgian drivers are terrible. No signals. No lane discipline and absolutely shite at undertaking all the time. As for the Dutch. FFS. Booked in the hotel and had a comfort break and the dinner and a few beers. Very nice. Bed at 2245. posted from Bloggeroid

And away we go. Reggie dropped off at Wyncot nice and early and I filled the tank at Tesco before heading to the Shuttle. The Insignia managed 40.0 mpg on the last tank. With no long journeys and just local driving I had hoped for better. We arrived at 1010 and didn't get an earlier crossing. Our 1120 crossing had been re-timed to 1119!! They might as well have re-timed to 1136 as that's when we wheezed out of Folkestone. Eurotunnel maintains its 100% record of leaving late when I am paying to travel. posted from Bloggeroid

So the BSB tickets have arrived and Neill has his so that he can call in on Friday if he is up there early enough. We are on the 1120 Shuttle from Folkestone and that means we won't hit French soil until 1255 local time.  TomTom calculates that it will take around 6 hours.so we are really looking at arriving at the hotel about 7pm.  So no stop off at Assen on the way past. Tonight I need to pack a bag. I have a series of motorcycle oriented t-shirts ready to pack, plus of course waterproofs. Last weekend in September and Holland/Netherlands can be iffy on the weather front. So we need to pack for all eventualities. Being in the car in pissing rain might be a bonus over the bike, but it is still as wet when you get out..... so brolly? So that's about it until the morning.  Drop off the dog at his holiday suiter and then top the car up with UK diesel and then straight to the Shuttle. And away....