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Travel StoriesA Holiday In Normandy
Bedfordshire Is Not In France
Ride Date 18 June 2026
By Ren Withnell
Well - we're off. Both bikes have luggage but not a lot as there'll be no camping on this holiday. Today - in theory - should be an easy motorway jaunt from Halewood to Upper Shelton just north of Marston Moretaine. At the end of the ride should be a small bungalow, Meg and Stan with their car, and some countryside. That's 170 miles. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
The weather? Golly yeah, that can ruin things. What did you say? Dry? It's grey here at the moment although not threatening. Ideal weather actually - dry, mild, yet thankfully not too hot. There's a catch, there's got to be a catch.
Sharon and I are riding together, Meg and Stan in Meg's shiny new Dacia Duster are making their own way. It's all a bit weird for me this. I've known Meg since she was 7 or 8, a curly haired snotty nosed child, now she's got her own house and a nice car and a proper job. Logically I know as a full grown adult she and her partner Stan are entirely capable of making this whole trip without needing our help at all. But... but they're just kids!
Nope, definitely not kids anymore.
As I ride down the M6 I have to remind myself they're the same age I was when I had my crash and only 2 years younger than I was when I met Sharon. Blimey, that's a scary thought. Blimey, that makes me feel old. And I am old. I know this because by the time we reach Keele services my arthritic hip with 3 screws in it is hurting. Not bad, a shuffle here and a stretch there eases the pain but it's there, telling me the newness is wearing off and I'm starting to pay the price of my youth.
We have a pee break and a stretch at Keele then get back at it. Traffic north of Birmingham - check (but it's not too bad). Kathunk kathunk kathunk along that bit north east of Birmingham - check. What is different is rather than taking the M42 M4 route we remain on the M6 to join the M1 southbound. By the time we reach Watford Gap services I'm more than ready for another break. The sun has come out.
Sun's out and Sharon is smiling.
We grab a brew and a light bite and take a proper break this time. We've broken the back of this section of our journey, there's only 40 miles to go now. Meg and Stan aren't far behind but the name of the motorway services they've just stopped at sounds like they're on the M40? You know what - whatever - they have sat-nav and a nice car and they're adults - leave 'em to it.
In glorious sunshine it's a relief to turn off the motorway. I have a concern though which we are going to address first. We have to be up and off to catch our "Le Shuttle" quite smartly tomorrow, rather than fill up in the morning I'm leading Sharon into the heart of Bedford. We fuel up at a Tesco Extra then make our way to tonight's digs - safe in the knowledge we'll not be running out of petrol at least.
We can check in after 1500 - and it's around 1530 when we arrive. I'd already found the place on Google Streetview ages ago so finding the entrance is a doddle. Thankfully everything is exactly as advertised, a small bungalow with kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom (shower). It's clean, the parking is secure, the area is peaceful and quiet, and our hosts are ready for us.
Our accommodation for tonight.
All is as it you would hope inside.
The only imperfection is the bedroom and living room have no door between - and someone will be sleeping on the bed-settee. We knew this, we haven't been mis-sold, this place is really for a couple. It's only for one night and that's fine.
Sharon and I settle in, Stan and Meg join us around 3/4 of an hour later. They did come via the M42 - M40 then cut across country. I don't know why, nor do I care, they've had a lovely drive and that's all that matters. Again it's odd when they hop back into the car and disappear to get food for the evening while Sharon and I chill out and grab a shower. Errr... ermmm... ahem. I - I could get used to being looked after like this.
They return with frozen pizzas and when Stan and I suss out the oven they're soon baking. We sit outside around a garden table swopping triangles of pizza, drinking orange juice and admiring the kites (birds) that Stan has identified. Didn't take Stan for an ornithologist? Ho well, you live and learn.
Later they're all playing Jenga, being miserable I'm looking at maps on my phone, checking paperwork and checking the bikes. All good. It's still odd to not be in a tent, to be with not just Sharon, for there to be a car here. It's odd but I'm comfortable enough which is even odder. We play a card game, another pleasantly surreal experience.
Sharon and I are taking the bed-settee. Sharon is clearly not a princess (The Princess And The Pea). There's a kink in the frame that I can feel and yet Her Ladyship feels nothing. I'm not worried, I'll sleep fine. We're all tucked up and off to the land of nod by 2300 hours. There's a lot to do tomorrow, we'll need the sleep I'm sure.
Advertise here - contact ren@bikesandtravels.com
A Holiday In Normandy - Prologue
France! Well northern France because our soft arsed lazy writers can't be bothered to go any further. It's time for excuses and explanations as to why The Dynamic Muppets are off on holiday and not an exciting expedition.
Bedfordshire Is Not In France
And they're off to France! Well Bedfordshire today, but they will get to France eventually... hopefully... maybe?
Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I can sense the control freak inside you Ed is making your eyes twitch. But who cares when there's pizza.
Sleep tight and sweet controlling dreams.
Upt.
21/07/2026 13:14:49 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Control freak? Me?!?! Natch - you've sussed me. I'm getting less control-y as I age, I suspect I still have a long way to go.
21/07/2026 17:04:33 UTC
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Travel StoriesA Holiday In Normandy