The group on the Camino de Santiago – a great crowd for our final tour of the year – brilliant riding on fantastic roads, super scenery, top hotels, fabulous food and good weather – what a tour!!


Eddie & Julie, Davey & Jan boarding the ferry

We all meet for a briefing on board

Arriving in Santander

The van’s off first

Quick instructions before we set off

John’s leading the tour

We have to ride some motorway

Welcome to Spain!

Fuel & coffee stop

Drinks in a local bar
“Hi John and Jen, we would just like to say how much we enjoyed the Portugal & Spain tour, all the hotels were superb and food excellent. The hotels where we could go into town to eat were also very well situated and interesting to walk around. It’s obvious that your research has been very considerable to accommodate everyone.
The roads were fantastic, with spectacular scenery which took your breath away and some surprises on the way. Both of you as hosts made sure everyone was catered for.
We can’t wait till next year to book more memorable moments!”
Wayne & Carole Williams, 8th tour, BMW R1250 RT, RCT

Ian strikes a pose!!

All meet for drinks


Then stroll to a local restaurant

Dinner is included tonight

With cider poured the traditional way
“We had a great tour. Obviously there had been a lot of time and hard work gone into the planning of the routes, which were awesome. Great photo stops too. Hotels were all top class as was the food. Always more than enough to eat and drink. The lunch which was included was delish and the setting was out of this world. Thank you. The 2 x 2 nights stops were very welcomed, but we would have preferred a 2 night stop in Astorga rather than Covilha [We base ourselves in the mountains as the roads are superb for those who wish to do the ride-out on the day off. It is not far to take a taxi to the town centre if you do not wish to ride or just enjoy the hotel facilities. Staying an extra night in Astorga would reduce the time spent in Portugal and we feel there is not the opportunity there for a good ride-out – J&J]
We enjoyed having time to take the train into Porto and do a little sight-seeing. We also thought the balance of free nights for dinner and the organised dinners were very good. It allowed us to socialise with the rest of the group. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and will be back for more. Thank you both once again for an amazing holiday.”
Ed & Viv Farquhar, 2nd tour, BMW R1200 RS, Banffshire

Whoa Alan !!!

John presents “virtual” 10th visit t-shirts!!


Then starts off the jokes…

Boulevard du Cidre

Ian & Heather, Alan & Julie

Start of the Camino de Santiago

“John & Jen, our thanks for a really memorable tour. You really have cracked it with your blend of superb routes, cultural experiences (pigs ears anyone?) and well-accommodating accommodation! You seem to attract people on the tours who make easy company to share the trip with yet build in time so you can explore on your own. Best wishes, and I do hope the van gets better soon Jen!“
David Roberts, 3rd tour, Honda CBF1000 & son Jack Roberts, 1st tour, BMW F650GS, South Yorkshire

In our first 4* hotel

Breakfast area

Always a morning briefing

Coffee stop

Monument to Immigrants

Alan & Julie – Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak

Ed & Viv – BMW R1200 RS

Karen – Triumph Tiger 660 Sport

Rich & Heidi – KTM 1290 Super Adventure

Watch out for locals!!

We re-group at a viewing area

All on the Camino de Santiago
“We had a great tour. Lovely hotels and great company. The roads were great and it was very scenic for the other half. It was very well organized as always and the time off the bikes gave us a chance to explore. Well enjoyed.“
Steve & Sam Barnes, 6th tour, Triumph Trophy, Dorset

Wild ponies there as well

Lovely little foals



John leads on our Street Triple 765 R

Steve & Sam – Triumph Trophy

Paul & Pauline – KTM 1290 Super Adventure

Jamie – KTM 1290 Superduke R

Alan & Julie again

Mark – Kawasaki Z1000 SX
“Hi John & Jen. Thanks again for another great tour. Our 10th with BN and we have the real T-shirts to prove it ( t-shirts are fab – fit a treat).
Once again everything organised perfectly for us so all we have to do is ride our bike. We do appreciate all the hard work you both put in to ensure that everyone enjoys their holiday and is well looked after. Lovely hotels, good food and great company along with some beautiful scenery and fantastic roads. What’s not to like? Hope to see you again next year. Best wishes.”
Alan & Julie Grieves, 10th tour, Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak, Norfolk

Ed & Viv again

Ian & Heather – BMW R1200 R

Rich & Heidi again

Phil – KTM 1290 Superduke GT

Wendy – Triumph Street Triple 765 RS

Eddie & Julie – BMW K1600 GT

Davey & Jan – BMW K1600 GT

Karen again
““

David – Honda CBF 1000

Jack – BMW F650 GS

Wayne & Carole – BMW R1250 RT

At our next hotel

Ian’s in first

Then Jen (plus John, David & Jack)

Our fab 4* hotel is right in the centre

The Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela

A free evening

The plaza by night (thanks Ian)

Amazing – thanks Ian

Stunning breakfast room
““

Morning briefing

Coffee stop


Stop at a viewing area


Lunch stop



Heading into Portugal

We ride through a National Park



Cobble stone hairpins!


En route to our next hotel


Paul & Pauline are first in

John’s next…

Drinks before dinner




We have a surprise in store…

Mateus Rose !!



Dinner is included tonight




Always a morning briefing

Leaving our hotel

Riding through vineyards

We stop at a huge dam



Morning coffee stop



Well spotted Heather!


Evidence of the forest fires

Ride the N304 – top 10 road in Europe??

But we found much better than this!!

More burnt trees


Leaving lunch stop




Drinks in hotel bar


The birthplace of Portugal

A free evening to explore Guimaraes.

Lots of restaurants to choose from



Next day many take the train

Porto train station

Over 20,000 tiles!!


She was a dummy!!


The Cathedral


Cross the bridge

For fab views


John gets a haircut in the park!!


Walk up to the top

For the best views


All the Port houses are here


So picturesque

There’s a cable car

Amazing artwork

Has to be done…

5 glasses for 5 euros !!


Didn’t last long!!


Take a river boat ride

Lots of market stalls

Colourful buildings


David & Jack had a walking tour

Back in Guimaraes…

There’s a live band

The next morning Jen has damaged the van !! (Thanks David !!)

Coffee stop next day

With fab views





We stop at a viewing area

The group in Portugal

Thanks Heather!

Us !!

We stop for a visit

With a guided tour



Lunch is included






Super view of the Douro River

Pinhao in the distance

More cobble stones


Our next 4* hotel

In a Medieval town

We lay on a Port tasting



Sam & Steve, Julie & Alan

Phil & Wendy

Heather & Ian, Ed, David

Viv with Pauline & Paul

Selfie time! Davey & Jan

Dinner is included tonight


Our hotel by night



Morning briefing

Coffee stop


John banged his head!!

Not on this tour!!

More evidence of forest fires



You MUST be happy with twisties



Parking at lunch stop


We approach a huge dam




Jamie marks the junction




The group at Portugal’s highest point

More brilliant roads



Watch out for locals!!!


More bikes at our next hotel…

But we have a luggage van!!!

Some of us enjoy a swim

Drinks on the terrace


Dinner is included again




Top up fuel before ride-out

Jen’s going pillion

Ride some of the best roads

Jamie



These are fabulous roads





Jack




Steve & Sam


Ian


We stop for coffee




Jamie

Phil’s riding Wendy’s Street Triple

Mark


Jack

Villages tucked away

David


Wow !!

David



Ian

David

We’re going there…


Alan & Julie have their real…

“Ten trips” t-shirts !!

Lunch stop


Lots of cats & kittens


Some are really friendly!!



Steve & Sam

So picturesque

Eddie & Julie

Phil


Eddie & Julie



Phil marks the junction

Mark


“Dirty” beers at the hotel

The t-shirt shop is open !!

Jamie’s got a match!! (Sorry Jamie!!)

Drinks before dinner

Dinner’s included again

There’s so much food



A lovely sunrise

Morning briefing

Fuel & coffee stop


Mark’s number plate fell off!!

Lunch stop

Boys will be boys!!!!


Approaching coffee stop

In Wolf country

More great roads


Live music in the square


Jamie, Heidi & Rich have a great view

A free night tonight

Superb murals in the town




The Gaudi Palace


Morning briefing

More locals !!

The youngsters in June have flown

Soldiers at coffee stop

Another band…

Great roads in the Picos

We stop at a viewing area

Amazing views







John’s taking photos

Davey & Jan, Julie & Eddie

Most photographed deer in the world??

Ed & Viv

Steve & Sam

Alan & Julie (thanks Ian)


Rich & Heidi (thanks Ian)

Paul & Pauline (thanks Ian)

Backmarkers Wayne & Carole

Jen’s driving the van

Our sticker’s there

Great bends (thanks Ian)

Lunch stop





Next stop – Fuente De

Who’s going up???

Fabulous views


A few brave ones!!


See the Golden Eagles



Saving the best ’til last

Carole & Wayne

Ian relaxing

Watch out!!!

View from our final hotel

Jen (& John) brave the pool

Drinks before dinner


There’s a bit of rivalry (thanks Heather)

Dinner is included again




Huge thanks to Wayne & Carole

John starts the joke telling

Cecil & Cederick?????


So Wendy’s played before !!!


Ed has a tale to tell…



One & a half foot…!!!

David’s up next


Then Julie

Followed by Wendy

Last day – more twisties


Our final stop

Pavement parking

A heron lands…

Captain Birds Eye perhaps? (clever Heather!)


Jack & his dad David

Not a good look Ian !!

All back to Santander

We’re almost the last on!

You didn’t think I’d forget did you Jamie???
Thanks to everyone for making our final tour of the season so enjoyable and for sending photos; This was a super tour with great riding, timekeeping (the best ever!!) & participation by all. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen