After yesterday's adventures I was hoping for a more relaxed day, how wrong could I be. However like all good stories I must again begin at the beginning.
The hotel where we stayed provided an excellent breakfast, and coming from some one who thinks that the full English break reigns supreme that's saying quite some thing.
We left the hotel for our first experience of French "B" roads. Naturally we needed to find a petrol station that was open on a Sunday and of course an ATM machine. Luckily the bank was no problem and while we found a petrol station that accepted credit cards it was only with the help of a German tourist that we managed to get any petrol out of the pump. Sad when you think about it. It took an Englishman, a Dutchman and a German to work one French petrol pump.
The rain was at this stage light to moderate. The route we had chosen was great. Excellent views ( when the rain allowed us to view it ) we were approaching the Swiss border via one of the national park roads when suddenly we were confronted with a barrier saying road closed between 9.00am and 6.00pm. Shit. What choice did we have but to turn around drive back 10kilometers to the last junction and look for an alternative route.
No sooner said than done. I was leading the pack and had done about 7 kilometers when in true motor police style Sietse over took me and stopped the group. Explaining that Kevin's footrest had fallen off and resulted in a fall. Naturally we turned around again to get to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible.
On arriving we were relieved to see that Kevin and Helen were shook up but no injuries other than minor bruises. The bike was fine just the broken foot rest. I must admit it was a great sigh of relief that this was the case.
Apparently the fall while doing the U turn yesterday had done more damage to the bike than was at first thought. When changing gear his pedal had fallen off resulting in a loss of balance and subsequent fall into (luckily) a raised grassy verge. Unfortunately there was also an electrified cattle fence at the side of the road which was now in constant contact with bike. Helen was under the bike and while trying to push the bike off herself was getting electric shocks. The members of the group who had been riding behind Kevin who at this stage were also trying to lift the bike up and get Helen back on her feet were also getting shocks. As every one was wet from the rain getting an electric shock wasn't difficult. However things had been quickly sorted.
But I remain amazed how Sietse had the time to help with the rescue and still make enough speed under adverse conditions to catch the lead part of the group up.
It was decided that I would take the direct route to the hotel with a still shaken Helen and the rest of the group would help Kevin with an emergency repair.
While riding back to the hotel the rain started to fall heavier and heavier making good clear vision difficult. If any one has ever ridden a motor bike with a tense passenger you will understand the effect that has while taking bends. I was impressed that Helen had gotten back straight back onto a bike but was extremely careful not to do do any thing that would cause a slip or heaven forbid, another tumble. But we did manage to get back to the hotel cold, wet but safe.
When approaching the Swiss border I suddenly thought oops Helen has no passport ...it's in Kevin's bike. If any Swiss or French customs officers read this then my apologies for people smuggling.
Mean while back at Kevin's bike, temporary repairs were being done with the aid of a farmers trailer to bend a spanner to use as a temporary footrest.
Once all were back at the hotel, showered and had dry clothes even Kevin and Helen were making jokes about the days events.
Sadly Kevin and Helen have decided to make their way back to the ferry early tomorrow morning. I sincerely hope that after a good night sleep they change their minds and decide to remain with the group.
That's it for today I hope tomorrow the news is less spectacular.
No comments:
Post a Comment