We arrived in Dusseldorf, Germany on schedule at 7:30am but it took us nearly 90 minutes to get bike out of train. The train ride was not easy for me as just could not sleep with the motion. Paula slept quite well as she took a motion sickness pill. I felt quite cranky as we were taking our breakfast about one hour before we arrived and was looking forward to just get on the bike, put on the music and release all the bad vibes as riding the motorbike has a strong calming effect on me. Paula was in a good mood which helped a lot.
As with the loading of the bike, the unloading dock is far from where we get off the train so we had to carry our gear as there are no carts to help on this. The staff was much friendlier than in Munich and they let us actually get on top of the train platform and load the bike while they were still working on the unloading process. This was great as we were able to gain some time and carry the luggage much closer.
As we left Dusseldorf the sun was shining and we thought we would have another sunny day.
Holland met us with another shower. This is the 2nd time we crossed into Holland and in both instances rain started on or very close to border.
But the real bad stuff interns of weather caught us in Belgium. The driving conditions were quite poor and the worst we have met during our whole trip. We stopped to put gas but the rest of trip we just anchored down and moved as fast as possible through the rain, fog, wind etc. We passed on the outskirts of Brussels and actually rode the ring road.
As we were leaving Belgium and entering France the weather changed again and the sun came out. The wind though as we neared Dunkirk increased in intensity and when we arrived on the beach and dunes of Dunkirk it was howling. It was amazing to just be close to the dunes and feel the wind and the sea with sizable waves and remember the evacuation of May/June of 1940.
Here are two excerpts of the speech from Winston Churchill that I find specially inspiring:
"There never has been, I suppose, in all the world, in all the history of war, such an opportunity for youth. The Knights of the Round Table, the Crusaders, all fall back into the past-not only distant but prosaic; these young men, going forth every morn to guard their native land and all that we stand for, holding in their hands these instruments of colossal and shattering power, of whom it may be said that:
Every morn brought forth a noble chance
And every chance brought forth a noble knight.
They deserve our gratitude, as do all the brave men who, in so many ways and on so many occasions, are ready, and continue ready to give life and all for their native land."
"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old."
To this I say, thanks to all who gave their lives to defend our freedom. Long live liberty !
We then made our way to Calais as we needed to take the train under the channel to get to UK.
We were very impressed with this engineering feat. Organization is top notch and everything works to perfection. In about 30 minutes the fast underground train brought us to England. We actually stayed next to the motorbike and I took the opportunity to cat nap as we still had to ride to London on the left (wrong !) side of the road and experience the London traffic.
Riding through London was surreal and although we did not actually go into the center all signs helped us in getting the feel we were in London town. Amazing experience.
Our hotel is on the East side in the Olympic village and although some months later you can still feel the Olympic influence in this part of town.
Click HERE for all the picture for Day 3
Posted by Armando
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