alb
New member
From Glasgow, we headed across country to Peebles, then on to Jedburgh. A quick stop for fuel, then down the A68 to Newcastle.
We got the boat from Newcastle (Wednesday night), booking Commodore Deluxe Class. Basically, for an extra £40 each(I think), you got your buffet dinner included (£35), a larger cabin at the front of the boat, and access to the Commodore Lounge, with all included beer, wine, coffee, soft drinks and light snacks, and contents of the room minibar.
On arriving in the Netherlands (Thursday), a garage was waiting for us at the end of the slipway. From there, we made our way down to the German border, and then down the autobahn to Oberkirch. The hotel was very rustic, with the staff not speaking any english. Beer and schnitzel were the order of the night! Fantastic!
The following day(Friday), we headed down to Switzerland to collect a mate who lives there. After that, it was time to hit some passes! Susten Pass, into the Grimsel then onto the Furka, Gotthard, and some other one. So into Italy, then back to Switzerland. Long day, and we got to the hotel in the dark, but roads were stunning!
Saturday, back into Italy - what can I say, wow! The Dolomites are stunning, and I think were my favourites.
Sunday, we headed into Austria, and the GrossGlockner - man - this is one that you should't miss. A toll road that's worth every penny! We got it dry and empty! Smiles all round!
Monday, well the idea for Monday was to get half way to Nurburg, so lots of autobahn.
Tuesday - We arrived a Nurburg, dumped the stuff, and had a wander about. Watched some single seaters on the GP circuit, and then some BMW's on the Nordschleife. Once it opened to the public, Kenny (FireBlade) took a lap, but I'd decided I didn't want to take the chance. It was really busy. We did however, get out in a car. That was scary enough!
Wednesday - back to the boat, then back home on Thursday.
All in all, a great trip. I think we had a brief shower the whole 8 days and temps were as high as 32 degrees in Germany (at autobahn speeds!) The Panigale was faultless, and managed to get 120 miles on about 10 litres of fuel at one point. So apart from it cooking my back side to medium well about 10 times a day, it was great!
Pics: Europe Sept 2016
Route Summary:
Date Start End Route Distance (miles) Distance (km) Hotel
Thu 08 Sep Ijmuiden Oberkirch https://goo.gl/maps/G6TwiqfvuTP2 400 640 Hotel Pflug
Fri 09 Sep Oberkirch Oberageri https://goo.gl/maps/mdbEuBHrpwx 161 257 n/a
Oberageri Bregaglia https://goo.gl/maps/fTVtBYaknXJ2 234 375 Hotel Pranzaira - Bregaglia Majola Pass
Sat 10 Sep Bregaglia Cavalese https://goo.gl/maps/T8t7fY7hrwL2 233 373 Hotel La Stua
Sun 11 Sep Cavalese Königsleiten https://goo.gl/maps/zchr43byjoP2 218 348 Hotel Ursprung
Mon 12 Sep Königsleiten Rothenburg https://goo.gl/maps/H9587dkBdfr 296 473 Best Western Hotel Convita
Tue 13 Sep Rottenburg Nurburg https://goo.gl/maps/45SaFA4BVpS2 237 379 Hotel Am Tiergarten
Wed 14 Sep Nurburg Ijmuiden https://goo.gl/maps/3C2tEtrHbFL2 239 382 Ferry
All the hotels were fantastic, and I can't recommend them highly enough, but the Best Western was really only somewhere to split the journey to Nurburg, with the area being like an industrial estate.
Planning for next year has begun (if I can get away with it!)
Al.
