WW2 Extended Sights Tour 23 – 28 April 2013
A great start to the season and lots of new faces made for a really fun group
“Thank you ever so much for the wonderful WW2 bike trip that we just completed – it was superb in every respect and it could not be faulted in any way whatsoever. The hotels, sights, roads, museums, guides and general organisation was excellent in every respect and surpassed my expectations. I have done a number of solo touring trips, both in the UK and abroad, and I was slightly unsure about what to expect when booking, however I found your organisation of the entire trip to be faultless and the laid back and friendly style that you both have seemed to relax everyone on the tour. I’m sure I speak for all when I say that everyone had a “blast”. Thanks again for a wonderful trip…”
John Richmond, Aprilia Mana
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We start the tour with a guided visit of the Museum and Horsa Glider at Pegasus Bridge
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“Many thanks for a professionally organised motorcycle holiday, with excellent hotels and the nicest bunch of people I have met in a long time. My initial fears and worry of driving in France were quickly forgotten by your faultless planning and briefings. The routes were perfect and the marker system was flawless. The French roads were bliss to drive on – even in the wet – and the polite manners of the locals towards bikers was welcomed. My only disappointment was that my wife could not make it but we will rectify that next year – saving the pennies already. Good luck for the future..”James Bruce, Honda Blackbird * “Thanks especially for a truly memorable tour. It’s been a long time since I managed to switch off from work but that’s exactly what I did last week. The whole experience was outstanding from the outset and I know the informal and relaxed nature of the tour was as a result of a huge amount of planning on your part. From the minute we met the tour in Honfleur I din’t have to think of anything other than riding my bike along the next great stretch of road. The icing on the cake was being invited into your home for lunch overlooking the Falaise Pocket. A truly wonderful holiday and we’ll definitely be back. Thank you” Andy & Shannon Bearpark, Honda ST1300 *
We move on to Arromanches where the “Mulberry B” floating harbour can still be seen
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“Just like to say a big thank you for such a fantastic trip, I could not believe how stress-free you made the tour, every detail had been carefully thought out and the whole trip ran like clockwork, all the hotels were great and I have come away with some great memories……..unfortunately this means you will have to put up with me again in the future!!!”
Richard McClemont, Honda F6C
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“Thank you for a superb week on the WW2 trip, it far exceeded our expectations and your efforts to ensure we had a good holiday were much appreciated…we’re looking forward to booking another trip ASAP!
Robert Palmer – Triumph Tiger 1050
“I’s just like to say thank you for putting together such a good tour. I couldn’t fault it at all. It had been a dream of mine to visit some of the sights of the Normandy invasion and I’m glad I came to you! The sites, the hotels, all perfect! Going off John’s recommendation I ended up buying a Street Triple now all I have to do is kit it out with luggage so I can come on another one of your tours! Thanks again”
Michael Palmer – Suzuki SV650
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Rob & Michael Palmer with Rob Jones & John Heaney at the American Cemetery
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“We both really enjoyed the ride because the routes were fantastic with amazing roads & scenery and the hotels were all unique & very different from each other. The marker system works brilliantly as you don’t need to worry about getting lost or following road signs, you can just ride & enjoy yourself. The food on the nights provided by you was excellent & of a very high standard. Never having done an organised bike tour before we were a little apprehensive, but we had no need to be. You both made us all very welcome & relaxed right from the start. Providing lunch at your home on the last day was just icing on the cake. We will definitely be booking another tour with you again soon”
Karen Watson – CBR 600 RR and Keith Akers CBR 1000 RR
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“Thanks for a really fantastic week, everything was 1st Class. You both should be really proud how you make everyone so happy. Can’t wait to come back”
Jeff Mountain, Triumph Tiger 1050
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The flag is raised at the American Cemetery – All the bikes lined up
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“I’d just like to say that I had a such a fantastic time and many thanks for all your hard work in doing the background research of choosing such great biking roads and routes. The back marker system works wonderfully keeping the tour together and ensuring no-one is left behind or gets lost. The whole tour was a real joy with no worries about navigation, directions, looking for fuel, hotels etc…a good choice of hotels too – each one was completely different. I would have liked to have spent a bit more time in some of the places but hey-ho back on the road for more fab roads and beautiful scenery. A tip-top tour with a great bunch of people – I will be back”
Ian Wooldridge, Honda ST1100 Pan European
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“Just thought I’d write to thank you for the great tour you organised last week. The hard work you put in to organise the routes, hotels, stops for refreshments and sights really showed as we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and want to come back for more. As you know the food in the hotel at Bayeux was a highlight for me and it set the standard which all the following evenings followed i.e. good food and good company. I especially liked the way you joined us during the evenings and didn’t just disappear until the next morning. The riding was great and the marker system you use is very good because even a steady eddie like me was able to enjoy the riding, take in the views and arrive at each stop without getting lost and stressed – that is once you had assured me I wasn’t holding anyone up. Looking forward to coming again. Many thanks”
Rob Jones, Honda CBF 600
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“The WW2 trip was extremely well planned and John was very knowledgeable. The hotels were first class and the meals that were paid for were superb. The riding wasn’t too much each day with plently of breaks. The WW2 sights and museums were so interesting. No chance of getting lost with the marker system. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and can’t wait to go again with Bike Normandy”
John Heaney, BMW 1200 GS
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Pre-dinner drinks and a welcome aperitif at our hotel in Bayeux
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Dinner at Bayeux
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At our morning briefing – just what has John got down his trousers ? (Not much !! – Jen)
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The bikes parked up outside our hotel at La Roche Bernard. Drinks after dinner
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Always a morning briefing before we set off
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The next stop – the “U-Boat” pens at St Nazaire
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Then on board the French attack submarine “L’Espadon”
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nnnnnnn
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We cross the bridge leaving St Nazaire and re-group before arriving at La Rochelle
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Drinks outside our hotel before setting off for a stroll around La Rochelle
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The group on the ramparts (Jim, Karen & Keith missing)
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Anyone spot Jim ???
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Rob tries mussels for the first time
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John & Jeff and (our back-markers on this trip) Allan & Jane at Oradour-sur-Glane
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Dinner at Oradour-sur-Glane
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Desserts handed out at Oradour – just who was it who had two desserts ??
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Bikes parked up for coffee stop – Allan & Jane shopping for sweets at the market
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Fab market stalls
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Could be any one of us – the morning after the night before !
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John, Rob & Jeff in the Saumur Tank Museum. A Soviet Missile Launcher
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Andy & Shannon and Jane & Allan by an original piece of the Berlin Wall
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Watch out for these two, they’re trouble ! Richard & Ian in the Tank Museum
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Mike & Rob Palmer
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Andy proposes a toast during our last supper at Le Mans
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Rob, John & Jeff add to the speeches Andy tops up everyone’s wine glass
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These two again ! Richard & Ian having fun Shannon with Richard
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Jane on the red wine – and then with dessert
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Jeff is impressed with his dessert as well Keith & Karen smooching !
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The final visit to the Memorial at Montormel with views overlooking the Falaise Gap
That’s all folks! Thanks to all for lots of fun and more great memories.