Tag Archives: camping

Four snoring in a tent

The first night and the Vango Alpha 400

The Vango alpha 400 proved its value, there were four of us inside overnight, Silvia and Ricardo, my brother and I. We all had enough space to sleep comfortably, except for my brother because of a bad sleeping bag. The tent exceeded my expectations, it’s spacious and has a front porch area big enough to store everyone’s luggage, inside there’s enough space to fit a double and one single inflatable mattresses. When packed it is quite compact , the ideal size when traveling by motorbike I would say. It is waterproof and easy to pitch. The only downside goes for the pegs that, as usual, depending of the terrain you might need to get some extra pegs.

All in all the Vango provided great night of sleep for some and a nightmare for others as some of us (including myself) snore a little. This was something we were joking about the entire trip, even recorded true harmonic orchestras. Bruno and Sofia had their own little two person tent, and as they didn’t allow us to pitch another tent (Ricardo’s) for three nights my tent was the shelter for the homeless people in the group.

After we emerged from the tents and slowly got ready, we decided to go to Wadebridge (the local town) to have breakfast, a reinforced one. After that my brother would get back home to Clevedon as he had other commitments. The plan was to go all the way up to Bude by the A39 (also known as the “Atlantic Highway”) and then to enjoy a coastal ride passing through some picturesque villages such as Boscastle and Tintagel.

The scenery, the good weather and the road… perfect harmony!!

We arrived in Bude later than I wanted, but it was a nice and warm afternoon so we went for a walk around, the place was a bit crowded despite Coronavirus, so we went for a walk and an Ice cream.

You can buy them here, just by the river.

It was nice and there’s still lots to see and do in Bude including a castle in the area we were. Again due to Covid19 no visits were allowed at this time. I had planned a very nice coastal route passing by Boscastle, Tintagel and Port Isaac which unfortunately none of us took any pictures as we just passed by (You have to be patient for the video where I’ll show these places). The road isn’t for the heart fainted in some places, incredibly steep and curvy with that odd hairpin here and there. however, the views and the little villages we passed by are something else.

The roads are simply fantastic!! (I will post this route on the routes and maps section)
and on the other side of the pic above…
One of the many forgotten villages in Cornwall, unique, however the access roads, thrilling, not for the inexperienced.

If it is in your plans to visit Cornwall, I do really recommend a visit to Tintagel and Boscastle villages. Tintagel is quite famous because of the castle ruins that according to the legend it’s the place where King Arthur was conceived, just not to mention that it is one of the most amazing places in Cornwall. Unfortunately we could not visit it due to Covid19 restrictions. Boscastle village is equally interesting, very picturesque and small with a great footpath that leads to the harbour. The following two pictures are the castle hotel in Tintagel and the scenery next to it.

I planned a dinner in Port Isaac, but a local guy we met in Tintagel suggested and even guided us to a very picturesque restaurant in Port Quinn. He works for “Bossiney” a tea room in Tintagel. Apparently we missed a bikers breakfast they do every week in there, and we were invited in for breakfast the following morning. Very chatty and friendly, however I forgot his name, like most I came across.
The road to Port Quinn was curvy, narrow and steep like most country lanes around that area, but we arrived in time to eat, as restaurants are tricky these days due to the pandemic, also we were contemplated with a very nice sunset on the sea.

Can’t remember anymore what we ate, but, it was good. It was a nice day and it was over, the sunset was gone and the night came to us. It was time to get back on the A39 to our tents… our second day was over. The last day in Wadebridge was reserved for a few hours on the beach and water activities, but we had to get up earlier than today, something that became a bit of a challenge.

Shhhhh, it is snoring time for most of us when all the sudden… “Marineide” invaded my tent!!!

That’s Bruno’s and Sofia’s honda CBR600FS

Riding the West (U.K) Jul 2019

 

Introduction

 

July 2019

Summer is here (kind of) and It´s been a while since I last pitched the tent or did a road trip. I had two weeks off work ahead and the idea of  doing a road trip around Europe would not get out of my mind. At the same time I realized that U.K. still has loads of places unknown to me. I always heard that the Southwestern side of the U.K. is beautiful and it is the British home for surfers (not that I am one, although I like the ocean), so it could be a potential  great destination for my holidays.

Decision is taken!!! I´d ride west this time! Devon and Cornwall here I go!!!

I did not plan or did my usual research about which routes to take or thought about where I would be staying.  One stop in Clevedon (Bristol) to visit my brother for a couple days, then I would ride west without a particular route or destination. While visiting my brother, I simply bought a map and marked scenic routes on it before going. I was lucky, the weather was on my side, and hopefully I would find what I was after. Roads and scenery able to put a grin in my face, beach, picturesque towns and great people!!!

I just had one task to do before leaving Clevedon, “Sophia” (my bike´s name) was due for an oil change. So after that was done and with the luggage on the bike I was time to depart!!

Riding the West!!!                                                              The Journey begins!!!

 

 

 

P.S. There´s more to come within the next couple weeks but now you have to be patient! Work in progress!!!