Ypres, Ieper 2018

Left campsite on the Monday and decided as weather not good to make a run for Belgium and Ypres, weather supposed to improve and lots of cycling etc…

Managed to find a garage that did LPG and diesel so followed directions, arrived no LPG, filled up with diesel, it was a bit out of the way.

Journey easy again rain at the beginning but brightening as we left Antwerp, used R1 this time no toll!!

Walked into town
Combi light beers,
Beef bourginon, potatoes and carrots.
Tuesday
Big cycle ride, frontlines
Early dinner burger and stew with chips and beer.
Walked to last post and combi mix beer

 

Bruges 2018

Decided to pop over the channel for a little tour of places bookmarked over the last few weeks. The plan was to goto Bruges and then maybe Amsterdam.

Booked the tunnel in Tuesday, for travel on the Thursday 11:40 slot gave us time to get to Bruges and then get settled. Jacqui had a book club and I had mower pickup and some minor work issues, so Thursday was easiest, decided to co e back in the following Wednesday as we have the MHF Maypole meet the following weekend.

Journey to tunnel was very easy although a bit tedious, will interesting when a one way ticket is our option and may choose return by another means.

There was minor delay loading but we were underway about 15 minutes late, as we left train pulled over at services and turned gas on. Set off to Bruges.

Again journey was easy roads relatively clear, till Bruges it self. Road surface quality also changes in Belgium they seem to favour concrete slabs for a lot of the roads as opposed to tarmac, very noisy, bit like M6 Birmingham.

Found the kamper stop, glorified car park between a ring road, boat moorings and bus/coach park. Get a ticket on entry and then drive through and park up, picked a corner spot door opening on hedge and boat moorings other side.

Electric provided but only 6amp, each socket is numbered so plugged into 16 which was empty but no power, initially thought it was only certain time but basically socket 16 did not work, so used a spare socket, this seems a common thing.

Power sorted we decided to walk into Bruges, it is less than 10 minutes, very easy lots of people about. Mainly tourists, seems a popular place. We had a good wander around a beer, Stew and beer, half man brewery had Beers and Flemish Stew and Chips, very good.

Next day decided to do some culture so Churches Sint Salvatore, fantastic stained glass and Museum Historium tour life in Bruges, interesting but the VR tour waste of money and a free Beer in the Duuvelorium bar. Sunny in the pm so got bikes out and had a trip round the canals.

Chilli and tacos in the van and started Gotham.

Decided to move on the next day to the tulip fields and Dutch coast South of Amsterdam, if rubbish then could head for the city.

Bak Rak

Purchased a G3 Bak Rak (http://www.bak-rak.com/base-rak.htm) and light board, also a easy fasten clamp total cost about 144 pounds inc delivery.  The product is well built and solid fixes easily enough, but suffers from one flaw, it rattles.  When bolted on it cannot be moved up or down or left and right, there is a bit of play in the actual rack up and down so any bumps or potholes will allow the whole rack to bounce over time this will have an affect and will sound awful.  So sadly it is not going to be used and will be put up for sale  on the sites at some point.

Have looked at other Bike Rack for the tow bar e.g. Thule and there is no play at all they are rigid and fixed, no rattles etc.. sadly a lower capacity and not as flexible.

  • Thule Europower 916 – http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/towbar-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-europower-916-_-916000
  • Witter ZXE502 – http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/cycle_carriers/buyCycleCarrier.php?partNo=ZXE502

 

Watling Towbar

Just had a tow-bar fitted by Watling Engineering in St Albans (88 Parkstreet Village, St. Albans Herts, AL2 2LR). Â 13pin Type approved swan neck 710.00 includes vat, ended up having to have a longer swan neck to accommodate the light unit on the back being a bit extended.

Journey very easy arrived at 8:00am, settled down in the office at 8:30 and ready to leave at about 11am all fitted and tested.