September the 22nd couldn't come along quick enough. The second French trip of 2005 was all organised & booked and the sensational six were ready to go.

The caper started as well as could be expected when at approximately 10 am (T-Minus 9 hours to departure), Derek telephones Nathan with the message "Have you got Marks number? The bugger hasn't booked any cabins on the ferry!"

Fortunately this was a mistake on Brittany Ferries part and Mark, thankfully, had booked the cabins. Unfortunately for Nathan Derek was bringing Mrs. Derek, thus ensuring, that after several beers, at 2am Nathan had to share a cabin with 3 drink walrus impersonators (too say thy snored would do them little justice)!

Thankfully the snoring was interrupted by a request to depart the boat (sorry Pete) at 7.30am on the Friday. After a very brief, but vital, breakfast, we met up with our bikes and left the boat to be greeted by Dereks son (who was looking after Mrs. Derek) and the wonderful weather of France, which consisted mainly of fog, rain and mizzle!

The ride over the Bretagne moors can only be compared with a ride over Bodmin Moor in the fog and the intrepid group were thankful to reach Somewhere for coffee where the sun finally showed itself. A brief spell on the dual carriage way to Nantes was dull but brisk, finally stopping for lunch where the sun came out and the temperature was in the high 20's.

From Nantes, a wonderful ride following the N roads down to Niort was had and then on to St Maixent Etoile. The group then proceeded to take a tortuous route through several villages (some of them several times), court yards and back gardens before finally finding the Gite. Even Roger with his inbuilt GPS system was in trouble!

The Gite (Saule de Bois), is set in immaculate countryside and is what can only be described as rural. The accommodation is good, with a swimming pool, a good parking area and the most wonderful scrambled eggs.

Roger, Pete and Mark set off for emergency supplies and managed to find some food as well! Mark (chef de Partie and cuisine hero) russled up some super grub whilst the rest of us tucked into the case of beer and case of wine!

Saturday morning came too early and the intrepid bikers set out for La Rochelle along the dual carriage way which didn't seem to have many petrol stations. Nathan discovered that if you try really hard, you can achieve 163 miles on 15.75 liters of petrol on the Triumph (fuel capacity 16 liters). La Rochelle was, well, wet! But the architecture is fantastic, as is the 'fruit de mer'!

Saturday evening saw another feast 'sur le terrace' and we decided to remain another night at the Gite, rather than travel up to Tours on the Sunday, which was lucky because the rains came in on Sunday and we woke up to a rather grotty morning. Bikes were abandoned and a small '2 mile' walk in to town was started. After 3 and a half miles, it was realized that town wasn't that close after all and some set back to the Gite, whilst some continued into St Moraix Ecole for a most enjoyable lunch and of course we walked back home (ssssshhhhh but taxi's are very good value in France)!

On the Monday, it was the return trip back up to Morlaix. The morning started with fog, drizzle and it was very cold. The day didn't really brighten up until we reached the Loire river and then the sun came out and it was lovely. Coffee was had in our usual haunt overlooking the river. The happy band continued North(ish) until Rennes, when we managed to miss the turning for the dual carriage way to Morlaix and ended up in Rennes center.

However all was not lost as Mark and Nathan discovered a handy practice if you ever find your self in heavy traffic in France after the rest have abandoned you.

For this you will need:

• 2 British motorcyclists
• 1 a set of traffic lights
• 1 busy city center

After watching the group do a quick left turn across a busy central square, we got caught by the red light and watched them disappear off to our left, now for the important bit! One biker indicates left and points right, the other indicates right and points left whilst at the same time, the two bikers have an animated conversation (lots of gesticulation helps too!) about where to go. The result, the traffic lights go to green and not a single French driver moves until these obviously lost bikers decide to do whatever they like!

Once back with the group, we press on up the very dreary and very long dual carriage way to Morlaix, Roger and his in built GPS system get us straight to the hotel but the wrong car park and we have to move our bikes because we cant get through the conifer hedge!

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and the fateful day where we had to catch the ferry home arrived much to early. A quick trip to Roscoffs old town in the morning was had where the group bought presents, food, and coffee and then it was a case of dragging ourselves to the ferry for 11am.

Overall it was a great trip, the weather at times was lovely and at others, not so lovely. But as always the food, wine and company was great and we're looking forward to the next one in 2006!