Railway preservationists the world over have a reputation for a special sense of humour! You have to have, to volunteer for some of the really grotty jobs!

So when I spotted this at a petrol station near to the Vivarais in Lemastre, I had to share it with you….

With less foam, less deposits and less pollution; the new fuel is…….

Coal!

Love it!

Dookes

Right ho, now back at Dookes HQ and to be honest still absolutely knackered!

Last week, when Harley and I passed through Lamastre, I briefly commented on the Chemin de Fer du Vivarais. This 33km long narrow gauge railway is a surviving branch of what what once a much bigger network that bisected the Vivarais Plateau on the Eastern side of the Massif Central. At it’s peak the system carried over 600,000 passengers and 170,000 tonnes of freight per year. Inevitably, two world wars and the growth of cheap road transport took it’s toll and by the 1960’s the system was terminally doomed…. However, the example of preservation schemes in the UK inspired enthusiasts in France to save two sections of the Vivarais.

The longest section is that from Tournon sur Rhône to Lamastre and since 1968 it has been a big tourist attraction in this part of France. Unfortunately in recent years the project has been financially suffering And a couple of years ago services were suspended. Fortunately, the enlightened Regional Government has recognised the value of the railway to the local economy and has been supporting work to reopen the railway. I am delighted to report that the reopening is planned for September this year.

When I looked in at the line’s base in Lamastre it was buzzing with activity. Piles of new sleepers were stacked everywhere; rolling stock was being painted; a works train was shunting the yard; track gangs were busy fettling the rails; the main loco/stock shed had been rebuilt; the smell of new paint was in the air and it was rumoured that one of the steam loco’s was off down the line on a test run! All excellent news…I can’t wait to return for a trip!

Anyway, pics. The works train.

Painting a remorque.

There’s only one reason for that much coal!

Everything looking business like.

Further north is another preserved section of the CFV, running from St Agreve to Tence. This is a separate operation altogether and is mainly operated by historic diesel railcars, though it does see some steam occasionally. Nothing happening at St Agreve when we passed through, but the place was very tidy and the rails polished with use.

Railcars in the shed.

I think that’s a Bugatti at the back.

So there you are. Railway preservation / tourist railways French style; looks like it’s all in safe hands. If I get back when things are in steam, I’ll blog it, promise!

Hear that whistle callin’, all down the line.

Dookes

Super trip north across Brittany, weather great, roads dry, as you can see!

Stopped here to take in the view, can’t resist it, lovely spot. Strong aroma of the heather in bloom, a real moorland smell, wonderful.

Sorry, but I just failed to resist posting another shot of my wonderful Harley Davidson. She looks a bit grubby after 2230 miles; you should see the state of me!!!!!!

Two wheels with a motor in between, that’s what you need people! Don’t matter what badge is on the side, you just gotta ride!

Now waiting to board the ferry at Roscoff, where there is thick sea mist!

Freedom is a dusty road, leading to a highway…

Dookes

Hello friends and good morning from Brittany.

Pleasantly warm here, but quite cloudy. Forecast is for much of the same.

I think I will have a little ride on Harley today, just for a change!

Like a light in the black, something’s calling me back, I’m going home…

Dookes

Now on the ferry back to Blighty.

Time for a few “thank you’s,” I believe.

Firstly, to Mrs Dookes for yet again understanding her husband’s need to keep rolling and giving me the freedom to express myself through travel. Not to mention running Dookes HQ in my absence, hope the tomatoes are ok! Je toi remercie de votre soutien et de compréhension amour, je t’aime beaucoup!

Next, thank you to everyone who reads these random thoughts and gibber! It’s great to have you along for the ride, thanks for the comments and emails, it means a lot, ta!
If you like the blog, please tell others about it and I’m always open to suggestions to make it better.

To Messer’s Harley and Davidson who 110 years ago got together to start making motorbikes and boy did they do a good job!

Finally, to Flying Officer Jesse Bertram Reynolds and Flight Sergeant Franck Earnest Brown in who’s memory and the memory of all those other young people who never came back; to them this journey and freedom is dedicated, with gratitude.

Per Ardua ad Astra.

Dookes

So here we are, last night of a pretty epic trip!

Someone once wrote (and I suspect it was the H-D marketing team!) “It’s all about the journey.” They were right you know! I could be twee and say that it’s about the journey through life, which may be true…but whatever it is, it’s about keeping open eyes, open ears and most importantly an open mind. That way you get so much more out of every experience, more to savour at the time and more to reflect back on in days to come.

This past ten days have seen me grab some personal goals and on reflexion maybe score a couple of own goals as well.

Grimsel Pass was dangerous and stupid, I should know better, but hey we survived!

The flat tyre in Italy, just one of those things, but ya know I’m pretty pleased with myself, I didn’t get stressed and made new friends to boot, maybe that was the reward?

Galibier? Well lets just say its a sort of love affair, I even forgive her the tunnel incident!

Tomorrow we have a little over 130 miles to the ferry and then 25 from Plymouth to home. I’m ready for home this time, don’t know why, just ready.

That Harley Softail of mine is ten years old in December and today clocked up her 31000th mile, not much by HD standards, but ya know, most of those miles are mine! On our trips she is not just my motorbike; she is my companion, my confidant, my friend. I trust my life to her, if you think about it!

Where will we go next? I don’t know…

…..as the French say, maintenant je suis très content; at the moment I am very content.

The rest of the restaurant has emptied and the maître d’hôtel pretends to be busy. I sit in the window with the last of my coffee, another weary traveller waiting for the morning to come and then move on to the next adventure; Oui, je me suis très content and why shouldn’t I be?

I have become comfortably numb…

Dookes

Right ho, by popular request herewith the food report for this evening’s meal!

After amuse bouche;

Entrée, Soupe de Moules à la Crème de la Maison.

Le Plat, Médaillons de Porc avec jus de Calvados.

Désert, Assiette de Fromage Française

Café …..and if you think I took a picture of a cup of coffee, think again!

Dookes

Oh yes mileage!

Today : 217
Trip : 2232

Today saw the start of the 2013 Tour de France.

For the first time ever the race is visiting and starting in Corsica.

As I sit in the hotel restaurant, taking a pause between courses, the air is filled with French voices discussing Le Tour. One elderly lady does not think it should be in Corsica, “c’est seulement le tour quand il est dans l’hexagone!” She seems to be in the minority though.

Le Tour will visit Brittany, for it’s tenth stage, on Tuesday 9th July and that’s what the locals are really getting excited about! I don’t blame them either, I love Le Tour too!

Shame Cavendish got robbed of Le Maillot Jeune aujourd’hui!

Dookes

Parked outside a supermarket this afternoon an found this next to Harley when I came out!

Different colour, but same as yours?

Dookes