With the exception of a rapid flight over to the UK last May to collect my lovely FJR 1300, I had not driven over from Italy since 2014 so I was happy to travel again in January 2026.
The trip from the south of Italy was fairly gentle and the weather was kind, not too cold and not much rain. I left Amalfi morning early heading north and stopped only for fuel, coffee and a sandwich and I drove up thro’ Switzerland (and the Gottard Tunnel) and I then from Germany turned West into France and I stopped for food and rest in Troyes. The Hotel at the airport I knew has changed management and is truly excellent! B Hotels.
The following morning a very early start took me to Calais for the DFDS ferry and then up to Cambridge for lunch with Penny, my sister..then the next morning (Saturday) I drove up to the Midlands to leave my lovely Yamaha MT10 at the best motorcycles shop in the world as far as I know Alf England in Bedworth. I then returned for Sunday and Monday in Cambs.
Tuesday I returned to the Midlands and checked in to my favourite hotel in the world, the Blue Boar in Mancetter near Atherstone. This wonderful place has about 6 rooms upstairs (the need a lick of paint but super comfortable) and downstairs the food is wonderful and they make their own beer!!!!! Happy days indeed.
We had a wonderful meal on Wednesday evening with 6 mates in the Blue Boar and the beer and food was truly first class, thanks Martin, Tim, Ben and Alan plus ladies, we all staggered to bed very happy!!!
Thursday morning I left early to Cambridge where I met up with 3 friends, they had flown over with Ryan Scare for 5 days in London. We stayed the weekend together and they flew home on Monday morning so I decided to try a new strategy and drove gently down to Dover in the afternoon and stayed in the wonderful Marina Hotel by Hilton, lovely place!
Early start the next morning for the 0440 ferry to Calais and then a long drive down through France, Germany, Switzerland and into Italy where I stopped for the night at Hotel Astoria in Fidenza, they have a pizzeria next door which is part of the hotel so I had a great pizza and beer and off to sleep.
The next morning another early start and a gentle drive home to Amalfi. GREAT Vito van! Despite the constant rain which only let up in Switzerland for the snow……
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