Rhine in Flames 5 – 10 August 2015
The Group ready to embark for the evening cruise. The second time we have run this Tour and it was just as good as the first – in no small part thanks to the great crowd on board!
 With Eurotunnel delays, Stuart & Lynne finally arrive! |
 We always start the Tour with an introductory briefing |
” Our second tour with John & Jen who once again provided a superb trip. The hotels, food, roads, scenery, etc etc were fantastic. Also the great crowd of people on the tour made it. It is plainly obvious that you both go to a lot of time and trouble to make sure that every little detail is accounted for. If anyone is reading this who hasn’t been on any tour with John & Jen, we can assure you that you will not be disappointed. We have no connections to BN, just think that you should book a tour, be looked after, and enjoy the riding. They are real good value for the money.” Dave and Val Burlingham, 2nd tour. BMW R1200RT, Scarborough
 A wide load on the way to coffee ! |
 Our first coffee stop |
“Another excellent trip with Bike Normandy, great meeting up with people from previous trips – it’s more like meeting up with old friends. For all you people reading the testimonials on their website, or visiting the stand at the N.E.C, proof is in the pudding, you won’t be disappointed. We’d like to thank Jen & John for all their hard work, and everyone on the trip for a great time. See you next year on the Black Forest Tour!” Sandra & John Shepherd, 4th tour, Honda Deauville, Stevenage
 We always regroup before any motorway  And tell you which exit to take |
“Just wanted to say we had a fabulous time on the Rhine in Flames trip with a great, friendly group of people – thanks all – we hope our paths cross again on future tours. John & Jen – thanks for all the hard work you put into researching every aspect of your tours. We stayed in some lovely hotels, with great food and excellent company and we rode some fantastic roads . The weather was great too. What more could we wish for. The hotel in Boppard overlooking the Rhine was a perfect location and Saturday night’s firework display viewed from the Cruise Boat was absolutely spectacular. A fun evening from start to finish. Not to be missed. We thoroughly enjoyed our 2nd trip with you all and are looking forward to seeing you again on future BN European biking holidays – take care & ride safe. Kind Regards” Alan & Julie Grieves, 2nd tour, Ducati Multistrada, Hinckley, Leics
“John and Jen, thanks for another super trip – and what a great group to enjoy it with. The hotels were excellent, superb routes and good food – plus we were lucky with the weather! I look forward to seeing you again soon on a short break and both of us will be booking a European tour with you next year [since booked on the Black Forest Tour]. All the best” Bob (4th trip) and Jozina (2nd trip) Eve, Backmarkers on this Tour, BMW RT1200, Wickford, Essex
 A beach setting for our lunch stop |
 Super weather on our first day |
“John and Jen thanks once again for another brilliant tour. Hotels were perfect & so was the food. The evening on the boat on the Rhine with the fireworks was amazing. The riding was good and well organised with some great roads and scenery throughout. Made some new friends too. Looking forward to next year already“
John Heaney, 3rd tour, BMW R1200 GS, Cheltenham
“Hi John an Jen, once again thanks for making this year’s tour such a brilliant experience. As always the routes, hotels and hospitality shown by yourselves were second to none. The Rhine in Flames cruise was a fantastic experience and something I would recommend to anyone. As always there was a great bunch of people on the tour and we had some laughs along the way. Anyway thanks again to you both and I hope to see you again next year for our fourth trip.” Rob Jones, 3rd tour, Honda Crossrunner, Gloucester
 Lunch in the shade |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
“Hi John and Jen, just a quick line to say how much Sue and I enjoyed the tour. What can we say, great hotels, great roads, great food and perfectly organised. We will remember the fireworks for a long time. As you know Sue and I will be back for another dose. Cheers!” Gordon & Sue Bishop, 3rd trips, Moto Guzzi Breva, Dorchester
“Dear John & Jen, thank you for the tour which we enjoyed. The hotels and scenery were both excellent. The Panorama Hotel in Bouillon even surpassed the Hotel Beaudon in Pierefonds!” Robert Hampton & Janet Carbutt, 4th trips, Triumph Explorer, Solihull
 Drinks on the terrace in Belgium |
 Jim & Dorothy “Honestly – it’s only tonic water” !! |
| “Hi, thanks for another great trip. A good mixture of riding and leisure. There was time to see some wonderful towns as well as to experience riding the European roads. The Rhine trip was fantastic. Thank you also for the help and encouragement everyone showed to me as the weaker rider. Thank you” Lynne Wareing, 3rd trip, Honda CB 400, Manchester | |
 Gordon & Sue with Sam & Steve |
 John, Rob & Andy |
| “To Jen and John, thankyou for making our first tour so enjoyable. We made some new friends, had amazing rides around some amazing countries and had a few laughs. The night on the Rhine was spectacular and all the hotels made us feel welcome. Can’t wait till next year. Thanks again” Sam & Steve Barnes, Triumph Trophy, Dorchester |
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 Alice & Howard |
 Stuart & Lynne |
 Dinner is included our first night |
 Delicious food |
 Wine & beer is included too |
 John’s jokes just get worse! |
 On display in our hotel ! |
 At breakfast Dave takes orders for pancakes ! |
 Sam tries to undress in private… |
 no chance with friends like these !! |
 A daily briefing before we set off |
 Steve manages to override his Trophy’s alarm |
 We arrive at Boppard where later there is a lovely sunset |
 The super view from our hotel |
 Our biker babe Jozina has perfect nails ! |
 A day off the bikes – we all take the train to Bingen – “Cheese” or is it “Ants shit” !!! |
 Seen along the riverfront |
 Then we take the boat across to Rudesheim |
- All aboard !
 Relax on board |
 Have a laugh |
 Alan & Julie enjoy the sunshine |
 Don’t jump ! |
 We arrive at Rudesheim |
 Wander round the town |
 John with an ice cream |
 Take the cable car to the viewing area |
 The super statue at the top |
 Jen & John – a selfie !! |
 The view from the top |
 “Champagne” on the way down |
 Jen, Janet & Robert try strawberry champagne |
 Lynne, John, Dave, Stuart & Val |
 Explore the back streets |
 Local music |
 Jim & Dorothy enjoy lunch in the shade |
 Local transport |
 We take the boat back to Boppard |
 Bob & Jozina enjoy drinks on board |
 See the castles along the way |
 Stunning scenery |
 More castles |
 We arrive at Boppard |
 Our hotel with balconies |
 Dine out in the town centre |
 Another free day – we take the ferry |
 Most of the bikes join the ride-out |
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 Steve on his Triumph Trophy |
 Alan on his Ducati Multistrada |
 Lynne on her CB400 & Stuart on his CBF600 |
 RobCrossrunner, JohnBMW1200GS, AndyMP3 500 |
 All aboard |
 Bob chats to some Dutch riders |
 Alice on her Honda Integra |
 Pretty sights |
 We regroup after some twisties |
 Jen rides pillion to take pics |
 Gordon & Sue on their Moto Guzzi Breva |
 Sculpture seen in village |
 Jen & Steve in the rack railway train |
 Some of the gang |
 Dismount at the top |
 There is a view there somewhere! |
 Sue gets her bratwurst |
 “Sausage & chips please!” |
 Rob on his Honda Crossrunner |
 Alan & Julie followed by Alice |
 John followed by Rob & Alice |
 Watch out for toads! |
 Alice waiting for the ferry |
 Stuart was this happy! |
 Some stayed in Boppard taking the chair lift to the viewing area (admit fake photo of brochure!) |
 Drinks on the promenade |
 Our boat arrives |
The group waiting to embark – dinner, fireworks & dancing to follow
 Dinner first |
 Wine & beer is included |
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 All the boats start congregating… |
 and head towards Koblenz |
 We all go up on deck – Gordon & Sue |
 Jozina & Bob |
 Stuart & Lynne |
 Love the outfit Dave ! & Val |
 Alan & Julie |
 Jim & Dorothy |
 Andy with Jozina |
 Alice & Howard |
 Sam & Steve, Gordon & Sue |
 Us ! |
 Then the fireworks start… |
 First in the villages as we head up river |
Then the main attraction – the superb display above the castle at Koblenz
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 The finale ! |
 The girls – & Andy doing the Slosh! |
 More dancing |
 Until the ice creams arrive ! |
 Sandra & John |
 Jurgen with his original driver’s licence |
 Our boat returns to Boppard at 1.30am !! |
 Boppard by night |
 The next day we visit Cochem for lunch |
 This time on the Mosel |
 John & Sandra with chocolate fondu |
 We have one too ! |
 The pool in our hotel at Monschau |
 Jen, Gordon & Sue |
 Drinks before dinner |
 We stroll into town for dinner |
 The Group in the prettiest town Monschau |
 Dinner is included our last night |
 Dave wasn’t allowed salad! |
 Wine & beer included too |
 Bob & Jozina again ! |
 Then the jokes start – Rob knew it was a marrow! |
 Lynne takes a turn – how many bottles?! |
 Jen goes next |
 2nd prize was a fruit cake…. |
Then it’s back to the hotel for a game of 10-pin bowling…
 Lynne’s up first |
 You can tell by the reaction it wasn’t good! |
 Alice takes a turn |
 Then Sam in her lovely new dress |
 Sue has a unique style !! |
 Sandra goes next |
 Jen’s no better than last year ! |
 Julie takes her turn |
 And the winners are – Sam & Sue !! |
Then we let the boys have a go…
 Steve’s up first |
 Then Gordon |
 John takes a turn |
 Alan goes next |
 Andy also has a distinctive style ! |
 John’s up next |
 Then Stuart |
 Rob throws the ball through Jen’s legs!! |
 And wins the Men’s Tournament !! |
 After a final briefing we set off back to Calais |
And that’s all folks !! A really fab tour with a great bunch of guests. We only have to wait a year before we can do it all again !! Thanks to all for making this such fun, we look forward to seeing many of you again on future trips. Regards, John & Jen.