DAY 3
We were to go back and have a crack at Oradour sur Glane. Flash was adamant we would make it, and make it back in one piece. The day before when Tim had his accident it was mentioned about his pillion foot pegs being down and he didn't need them down as Lesley wasn't with him, so today we all rode with ours down. It was funny, but I actually thought that was a nice touch - in hospital, but not forgotten.
And we made it! Bad idea for me to go tail end Charlie again though. Dylan wanted to take in some of the sights, which is fair enough and I was in no rush after the day before, but, mate - roadage or what. First session on the morning I didn't mind going slow as I saw about 30 half naked stunning girls in a swimming pool which was quite nice, and the scenery was pretty decent too, however I would have liked to hoon with the others about 30 mins in to it. The ride was OK I guess, I backed off on a few bits and still had a little play. Doom Road (because of FG on the first VD crew visit, and Tim the day before) was actually my favourite I think.
We got to Oradour sur Glane - marv! I had no idea what this was about actually. When I found out it was an old town they left in its war like state I was a little disappointed as I have no interest in it. However, that has changed; I was moved by it, very surreal indeed. What was interesting though was that 9/10 houses had sewing machines in them, just noteworthy for it being bizarre at the time. Something that was shocking and really woke me up was the church where the Nazis rounded all the kids and women up, you could see where the bell of the church had melted.
The graves of 4 generations of people was disturbing and the list of the victims, one 5 days old I think was the youngest one I saw. I was actually choked up. The memorial part with people possessions found got me though. I wandered around aimlessly. I could tell Slug was affected by it too, but I had to go outside and wait for him (the others had moved on to look at other things by this time), just couldn't be in there. There wasn't much talking between the 2 of us when catching up the others.
Still, I'm glad I went, a real eye opener it really was. Slug showed me some pictures in a book he was reading of corpses being recovered, yeah, nice.....
Ride back to the Chateau, I should of dropped the tail end malarkey but didn't mention it, just wasn't on my mind at that point. Phy5ics came and had a play, and when I knew we were near home I gave it up and had a play. I'm upset Pierre never saw my back wheel try and meet me in my mirror when I was going around a very slow bend in town - a real arse clenching moment. Bloody bike pile of junk.
Back at the Chateau - oh no! A beer drought!! 2 cases left, we done a case between us in 20 minutes! Argh, what to do!?!? The Essex crew did warn you Mon Flash we like our beer
Anyway, more messing about in the evening. I think this is the evening we had cucumber soup - very different indeed, but the food was excellent - through out the whole weekend I couldn't knock a single thing, ate everything, with seconds and thirds thrown in for good measure. Absolutely excellent and I'll miss the food especially.
This was a particularly late evening. Flash got drunk, but I have to say was helped by Phy5ics. Hilarious, Flash would be drinking his glass of wine and when it got low, Phy5ics would secretly fill it back up again when he wasn't looking, even when Flash said no more, Flash would turn and talk to someone and there was Phy5ics filling it up again. It all got too much for Flash in the end and he went off to bed.
Phy5ics was the last person in chez m00 this evening and the time was knocking on when he left and the subject of Slugs snoring came about again - of course, I had to go and have a listen - bloody hell!!! He was on the third floor and you could hear him on the second! I thought it would be a good idea to nick all his bike gear. There I am crawling around on the floor of his and Pierre's room looking about in the dark for boots, leathers, gloves, lid, under suit. Now, I had been in his room before when we got him for day twos piss up in my place, so I sort of knew where things were kept. Getting the lid, gloves, boots and under suit out were easy, the leathers though were on the floor down the side of his bed - with his face pointing at me snoring away, so I had to drag them out over the floor as the snoring kicked in and then stop then start again because I didn't want to wake him up,
It only took over an hour to get all his kit out of his room. It was taken back to the house and it was put in my wardrobe.
Last day/going home
Dylan woke me up to tell me Slug was looking for his stuff, which made me smile, half heartedly went back to sleep to hear footsteps and my door being opened - and there he was, the Slugster. Bastard found his kit too, I knew the night before he would find it, but was too tired to think of plan B. I was going to go down in all of it for breakfast, so that was that plan was scuppered. Was supposed to go out for a 1-1 ride with Flash in the morning, but I didn't get to sleep till gone 4am, and he was a bit worse for wear in the morning, so that was shelved.
Was sad to leave Flash really. The hospitality was second to none, the house amazing, food 10/10 - couldn't have asked for better, the roads and organisation excellent too. Don't worry Dad, see you again soon!
The journey home was crap. It was windy, but nothing major but I was getting blown about so much and the fact my bike had given me quite a few surprises that weekend to the point I was bloody pissed off with it. I mean, motorways - big deal, and I couldn't even ride on that!!!
Was so tired, guess that didn't help but had started to loose a bit of confidence in my bike. Having a triangular front tyre and a square rear, plus suspension that is way off the mark of being set up to how I should have it made it a bit of a nightmare over the weekend to be honest. Couldn't go anywhere as near the speed I wanted to without having things step or slap. Still, today the first thing I have done today about that is to take it to MCTechnics next week and get that sorted for a cool £180 set up and new fork springs. Tyres to sort.
Had a small straight lining session on the motorway, got it to 160 (indicated) before I backed off and bottled it.
Fell asleep on the ferry whilst the other guys played cards. Slug went to sleep and we were all waiting with recording equipment to record loud snoring, but it was never to happen.
We were all to meet to say our goodbyes in the car park afterwards - well, that's the idea anyway. It didn't happen. Rothgar I don't think was aware of it and went home. I don't think Slug was aware of it either and decided to hit the road, I followed, then Phy5ics came zooming past, and then I realised I was actually on the motorway going to bloody Southampton! Anyway, Dylan sorted it out and collected me, and then Slug must off pulled off on to the motorway going to London as he went. We got back to the ferry place and Twids was there still so we then left for home and met again at Thurrock services. My ride home was appalling and that's what had given me a kick up the arse to get the bike sorted now - it's gotten worse over the weekend. I was going to get it done before I went, and I'm kicking myself all the way to Melle and back that I never sorted it out and the tyres. Oh well, a lesson learnt (knob that I am).
A little peeved about not saying bye to everyone - was such an excellent weekend, the best company anyone could have ever asked for - really was spot on. Was a shame about Tim, because that means I missed spending time with Rothgar, Tim and the girls - but shit happens, shame it happened to anyone on this trip though.
Anyway, let's get together again soon, what a bloody riot it was.
I can 100% recommend Flash Tours Inc - you WILL have a great time. Treated like royalty, fed like kings.
Thank you all. See ya again real soon I hope. Loads of new people I would like to regard as friends and not just people I know on VD.
Marv!
