On my birthday my wife suggested I took the bike away for a couple of days. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, the following morning I set off, for a weekend in the Valencian mountains. Unfortunately, the then-current Covid restrictions meant I couldn't leave the Communidad de Valenciana and cafe, bars etc closed early causing a few issues, more of that later.
After the initial euphoria of the purchase, I now had to get my new-to-me BMW R1200 GSA from J & S Accessories in Doncaster back to my home in Spain. This would in normal circumstances be achievable in several ways, however, the Covid-19 pandemic, with associated lockdowns & quarantine was an issue. My first thoughts were to transport the bike back using a delivery service, but where was the fun in that. I opted to fly over and ride back, how bad could it be?
Taken near the Mere at the bottom of Olivers Mount
Tues 14th July 2020
After the long journey to my parent's house in North Yorkshire, see Part 1, I had the rest of Sunday off the bike and then the Monday too, to catch up with them and rest a little. By Tuesday though I was itching to get the bike out and go exploring my old stomping ground and visit my daughter and family. I also had a visit to one of my UK banks to fit, in to sort out a non-functioning debit card amongst other things.
My Dad with his usual cheeky grin, trying the KTM for size.
After a few days with my parents, and a day out biking to some of my old haunts, it was time to start the return journey back to the Costa Banca in Spain. So it was with a heavy heart that I loaded my bike, had a last breakfast with my parents and then waved as I took to the road again. Setting off with mixed emotions, sad to be saying goodbye, not knowing when I would get the chance to see them again but pleased that I had managed the journey before my father's hospital appointments and treatments were due to start.
At the start of 2020, I had all sorts of ideas for bike trips and possible tours but we all know how that went. Sitting at home in Spain with little to do apart from thinking about what could have been, got the better of me at times and I, along with many others, just wanted to get out and ride. As lockdown started to ease and we were allowed to get back to some sense of normality work took over from thoughts of bike riding and everything was put on the back burned for possibly the whole year.
However due to an unfortunate family issue, I had to return to the UK for a short trip, luckily the quarantine situation in the UK was removed for EU citizens and plans could be made.
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