Motorbike Diaries (Harley Davidson Forty Eight)

Manchester to France ..... and back!

Day 3 - 5th Sept 2016
Destination - The Jurassic Coast and Portsmouth Harbour for the Ferry 

8am alarm call.

I must admit. Sleeping on the ground isn't the best nights sleep I've ever had but it wasn't as bad as the last time we went camping. Fair enough, this time it felt like we had pitched our tent on a 45 degree drop but it was comfy enough when we weren't slipping down to the bottom of the tent. HAHA

To provide some extra cushion while sleeping (don't forget - no pillow or mattress!)  I slept on my bike jacket that I had for the week, this actually worked really well!

Ryan was off course extremely uncomfortable. 

I woke up around 1am to find someone shining their torch on our tent. Someone lost? Someone trying to find their tent? Someone trying to mess with the motorbike? SOMEONE TRYING TO KILL ME!!!! Just some of the thoughts that went through my head. 

At this point I was a little concerned so I woke Ryan up to make sure Michael Myers wasn't standing outside the tent. By the time I had woke him the 'offender' had gone. Bike in tact and head still attached to my body - i went back to sleep - with one eye open. 

Around 2:30 am Ryan was then awoken by the gale force winds and downpour in rain that was bouncing off the tent. Concerned that the back end of the tent was about to be blown to the other side of the campsite, he did his perimeter patrol and came back inside. The tent was going no where. 

You know, just some of things you come across when sleeping in a tent!

We used the Vango Omega 350. Brilliant tent under the weather conditions we had that night. Would highly recommend for all you adventure seekers. 

(was rather foggy the next day) 

Once we woke up and had a laugh about the night before (see above) we made our way to the campsite facilities for showers and to get ready. They were very basic, but clean and when camping...the most important thing - toilet roll! They reminded me of the showers you got in school after P.E. lesson. The womens showers were joined to the mens so first thing in the morning all I heard was farts from the mens showers. I laughed so hard I'm sure they heard me! 

(school showers)

Anyway, we packed up our humble abode and made our way over to Durdle Door

Wow....pictures will never quite grasp what the eye can actually see. The Jurassic coast didn't fail to impress. The sights were breath taking. 

(Durdle Door)

(Man Of Way Bay)

(Durdle Door)

We took plenty of touristy piccies of the monumental door and on our way back a lovely couple took a picture of Ryan and I at the Man Of War Bay. Again, the view was one that i will remember forever. The weather was great while we were at Durdle Door. Maybe a bit too warm, especially with all our bike gear on. The rain held off so we could appreciate the sights fully. 

If we were staying in Weymouth a little longer we would have definitely re-visited. There were plenty of walks we wanted to do but as we had a strict agenda, we only had an hour or 2 here. So, we set off again. 

We were absolutely ravenous at this point so we stopped off for a pub dinner 5 minutes away from Durdle Door at a pub called 'The Red Lion' next to the River Win for some well needed scran. 

(I drink to make other people interesting hahahaha)

(The giant steak and kidney pudding)

Weighing around 2 stone heavier after demolishing the biggest steak and kidney pudding I have ever seen. I rolled back onto the bike and we headed straight to Portsmouth. 

Next stop ..... the ferry! 

We made it! 

(arriving at the ferry)

We are on the ferry and I'm so excited. Iv never been on a ferry before and as sad as this may seem - i was actually buzzing. 

I had no idea what to expect but it was actually great. Unfortunately we hadn't booked a cabin to sleep in for the night as they had sold out by the time we booked, so as it stands, we are sleeping in a chair for the night! We requested that reception call us if a cabin became available. We could really do with one. We were absolutely shattered. I had no idea how much it takes it out of you! Early starts, lots of riding, plenty of sightseeing, fresh air and not forgetting all the food! Maybe its to be expected that we were shattered. Working 5 days a weeks a graft alone and with us renovating the house it can often be a 7 day working week - especially for Ryan. So, the minute we get any down time - we are wiped! However, I'm sure it will all be worth it.....or so we keep hearing anyway. 

It feels great to put our feet up on the boat now and to just sit back and relax. No heavy bike gear, no helmet, no boots and most importantly, an extra large glass of red wine.......ahhhhhhh bliss. 

(Ryas face hahahaha)

(view from the Ferry - bye bye Portsmouth)

Lets see what France will bring. 

K 

xxx