Rhine in Flames 10 – 15 August 2016
Yet again a fantastic tour – a real highlight of our year – and no apologies for the number of photos which follow. The group in Monschau on our last night
“Hi John & Jen, thanks for yet another great tour on which we enjoyed everything, roads, hotels, restaurants and the company. The evening cruise for the Flames could not have been better, the weather was perfect and the firework display along the river was better than expected – not to mention the Grand Finale at Koblenz – twenty five minutes of continual spectacular fireworks. Your attention to detail and hard work has always paid off, yet again many thanks for a successful tour, looking forward to the next. Cheers for now,”
Jackie (6th visit) & Vic (7th visit) Hill, Triumph Tiger 800 (Backmarkers on the Tour)
 We start at Calais with a pre-tour briefing |
 We collect a few more at Eurotunnel |
| “Dear John & Jen, thank you very much indeed for making my maiden voyage such a huge success. I had been looking forward to this trip for such a long time and there was not a single moment to disappoint. It was an incredible journey with fabulous company, stunning scenery, beautiful hotels, delicious food, and great, great rides. It is difficult to return to real life but going through all the photos on your website has helped and also enabled me to relive the experience. I am very much looking forward to the next one or two (Andy??) – would like to climb onto the Leader Board! With kindest regards”
Christine Lake, 1st tour as pillion on “Big Boy” Andy Biggs “John and Jen, thanks for a great tour it was one of the best I have done (and there have been a few). Hotels were excellent in terms of quality and location and the roads were great. The days were not too long and as usual you were both the perfect hosts. The leisure days at Boppard were well planned and a lot of fun. Christine really enjoyed her first tour as pillion and wants to come back for more…..maybe Sancerre. See you next year” Andy Biggs, 17th trip, BMW S1000SX |
|
 And retrieve the few that went AWOL !! |
 We always regroup before & after any motorway |
| “Hi John, Jen, we have not got a bad word to say about the tour, we both really enjoyed it, particularly myself. The hotels were fine as were the meals. Loved the routes, wish I’d been solo. The boat trip was excellent, Carol was in her element when the dancing started. The excursions on the train and up to Bonn were also enjoyable. Of course the weather made a lot of difference.Finally, thanks to both of you. It shows that you have been doing it for a long time now. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble and always helpful. Well done.
(Got up Wednesday and was greeted with ”Happy anniversary dear”. Oh s***. Forgot all about it for the first time in 48 years. Had to splash out on an expensive meal last night. “Yes, you can have whatever you want dear”. Ouch! ) Hope to see you again, but I must make a note of my anniversary first!” Barry & Carol Pullen, 1st tour, Honda ST1300 |
|
 Pretty lunch stop |
 Where Steve enjoys his second cappuccino |
| “John & Jen, many, many thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable trip, your choice of hotels and routes were great as was the company. Nothing was too much trouble and Maggie really enjoyed it…The whole purpose of the tour for me was the Rhine in Flames and what better way to see it than from a boat in excellent company, the fireworks were superb. May see you again.”
Ned & Mags Kelly, 1st tour, BMW F800GT |
|
 Afternoon coffee break |
 .. |
| “Good morning John and Jen, Mercie and I would like to add our thanks to a great tour, it was our first trip so didn’t know what to expect. We had a great time and met some great people. Your organizing made the whole trip stress free, the marker system worked for us [although we were always at the back we did manage to mark once!] and the hotels were great. Thanks again and we will be back soon as. Best regards”
Steve & Mercie Keene, 1st tour, BMW F700GS |
|
 Our 4* hotel in Belgium |
 View from our hotel |
| “John and Jen, just to say again, thank you for your excellent tour. I really enjoyed the roads, scenery, fireworks in the Rhine and the company and it was all down to your brilliant organisation and leadership. Many thanks again – I may be back next year! Kind regards and best wishes”
Stewart “Gixer” Collier, 2nd tour, Suzuki GSXR 1000 |
|
 Andy’s on his 17th trip – riding behind John !! |
|
| “Hi John and Jen, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour – hotels, food and tours were all good – boat trip and fireworks amazing! I would happily do the tour again although I wouldn’t do the trip out on the Saturday a second time. I’m really pleased I went along and experienced those views but for me personally and as a pillion 4 hours riding for a 2 hour visit was a bit much…but I’m sure the riders enjoyed it! Thank you again!”
Mo (& Dave) Sims, 2nd tour, Suzuki Hayabusa |
|
 Drinks on the terrace |
 Or in the lounge |
| “We enjoyed the Rhine in Flames trip with BN Tours. The arrangements were first class with good hotels at great locations. We especially liked riding without the encumbrance of the luggage. The evening on the Rhine and the fireworks was the highlight of the trip, the spectacular firework displays were awesome. (Keith thinks he’s a celeb with his nearly naked photo on the website – I told him he’s lucky not to have scarred anyone for life!) Warm regards”
Bernie & Keith Russell, 1st tour, Kawasaki ZZR 1400 |
|
Dinner is included our first night
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 John sets the standard for jokes on the tour |
 The castle lit up at night |
 The next morning – where is it? |
 Breakfast area in the hotel |
 .. |
 Bikes ready for the off |
 Always a morning briefing |
 Jen leads on our Street Triple R |
 Mussels in Luxembourg |
 Our hotel for three nights in Boppard |
 Drinks along the prom when we arrive |
 It’s August – cold, raining, but still we eat outside!! |
 Others choose to eat inside the hotel restaurant |
 The next day most of the group take the train to Rudesheim |
|
 Coffee along the waterfront |
 Off with their heads!! |
 We take the ferry across the Rhine |
|
 The cutest little ducklings |
 Take to the water |
 Approaching Rudesheim |
 .. |
 Cruise ship moored at Rudesheim |
|
 Explore the pretty cobbled streets |
 .. |
 Visit the underground caves |
 Sample the local wines |
 Stroll down Drosselgasse |
 Hear the bells & see the characters at the bell tower |
 Enjoy a Rudesheimer Kaffee – thank you everyone for the mugs! |
 See the fab architecture & engravings throughout the town |
 Take the ski lift over the vineyards |
 Great views from the top |
 Maggie & John, Carol & Barry join us for drinks |
 Watch out for the tourist train! |
 We’re treated to some guitar music |
 Strawberry champagne cocktails! |
 Carol finds the relevant underwear!! |
 We take the paddle steamer back to Boppard |
 See the castles en-route |
 .. |
 Drinks on board |
 Christine & Andy with Stewart photo-bombing! |
 View from our hotel balconies – a gorgeous start to the next day |
|
 John & Anne chill-out for the day |
 Others choose to go for a ride-out |
 We take the car-ferry across the Rhine |
 Dave (& Mo) on their Hayabusa |
 Stewart on his GSXR 1000 |
 Barry (& Carol) on their Honda ST1300 |
 “Big Boy” Andy (& Christine) on his BMW S1000SX |
 Steve – BMW K1300 & Paul – Hayabusa |
 Steve (& Kirsty) on their BMW S1000SX |
 John “Ned” Kelly (& Maggie) – BMW F800GT |
 Lisa on her GSXS 1000F |
 Graham on his Versys 1000 |
 Vic (& Jackie) on their Tiger 800 |
 John (& Jen) on our Street Triple R |
 Give us a wave!! |
|
 Looking back at our hotel |
|
 More castles |
 A pillion’s view |
 Pretty towns |
 “Ned” & Maggie Kelly |
 .. |
 .. |
 Dave & Mo |
 Barry & Carol |
 Barry & Carol followed by “Ned” & Maggie |
 Andy & Christine |
 Andy again |
 Paul |
 .. |
 Paul followed by Steve & Kirsty |
 Ditto |
 Steve & Kirsty |
 Jen’s view ! |
 Stewart – always a wave! |
 Stewart followed by Dave & Mo |
 Take the rack-railway to the top of the Drachenfels |
 The view from the top |
|
 Christine & Andy |
 The view towards Bonn at the other side |
 Lunch stop while at the top |
 Our biker-babes! |
 Lisa |
 Lisa followed by Andy & Christine |
 Graham followed by Barry & Carol |
 Stewart |
 Stewart followed by Andy & Christine |
 .. |
 Unusual buildings |
 Stewart again |
 We head back to the ferry |
 What a welcome – Keith’s too sexy for his shirt!! |
 Oakley MC & other guests get together in memory of John Sedgwick – sadly recently deceased |
|
And this is what we all came to see – the Rhine in Flames…
 Jackie & Vic are welcomed aboard |
 Initially the ships circle around |
 Dinner is included |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 The girls practice the Slosh ! |
 Carol with Andy ! |
 Vic & Jackie |
 Barry & Carol |
 Tana & Paul |
 John with Tana |
 The ships start cruising towards Koblenz |
|
 John with Tana & Paul |
 Maggie with Barry |
 “Ned” & Maggie |
 Steve & Mercie |
 Dave & Mo |
 The fireworks start |
 .. |
 .. |
 Each town lets off fireworks on the way |
 .. |
 The display culminates at Koblenz |
 The fireworks are let off behind the castle |
 The most spectacular display |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
|
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
And then we hit the dance floor… |
|
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 We show the Germans how to do the Slosh! |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 Kirsty & Steve King |
 Mercie & Carol |
 Andy with Carol again! |
 Stewart doesn’t have a choice! |
 .. |
 .. |
 Are we really doing the YMCA?! |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 .. |
 There’s no stopping Carol! |
 And then it’s all over! |
 After a late start lunch is at Cochem |
 .. |
 How many bikes?! |
 Backmarkers Vic & Jackie on their Tiger 800 |
 John leads on our Street Triple R |
 Julia & Bryan on their ZZR1400 |
 Steve & Kirsty on their BMW S1000SX |
 Steve & Mercie on their hired BMW F700GS |
 Bikes outside our final hotel |
 Dave & Mo in the hotel pool |
 Steve & Graham play table-tennis |
 Drinks before dinner |
 A quick beer Lisa!! |
 Dinner is at a local restaurant |
 Dinner is included our last night |
 .. |
 .. |
 And then the jokes start… |
 Andy hosts the award ceremony! |
 Lisa won the award for ??? |
 Thanks Vic & Jackie for riding as “Back-markers” |
 The Bike Normandy Players – “ith it dithco?” |
 Ned takes a turn |
 Then Jen |
 Graham takes a turn |
 Paul draws his “tree trees!!” |
 Andy shows Steve how to waft a towel!! |
 Back to the hotel for bowling – Bryan |
 Girls vs Boys…Steve’s next |
 Vic’s turn |
 Then Mercie |
 Steve King has a go |
 Dave’s next |
 Girls leading so Andy & Steve try to put Jen off!! |
 Bernie (sorry blurred) |
 Then Keith |
 Julia goes next |
 Carol’s turn |
 Then Barry |
 Jackie shows them how it’s done! |
 Jen tries to distract “Big Boy” |
 Christine (sorry blurred again!) |
 Go Lisa!! |
 Kirsty takes a turn |
 Then John |
 Maggie goes next |
 Lisa tries to distract Stewart! |
So how was it that the Boys won by just one point?! Sorry if we missed getting a photo of anyone – and for the blurred pics – wrong camera setting & possibly too much red wine!! |
 Our final morning briefing |
 John sets off |
| With some leaving at lunchtime, others choose to leave from the motorway services… |
|
 “Give me back my paniers!!!” |
 Au revoir! |