Out and about in Wales.

Once the draft manuscript for the book about the Dakar was finished we went to the publishers near Swansea. Then we were able to relax and enjoy the delights of Cardiff and its castle, Millennium Stadium and new waterfront complex at the Bay.

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Dakar

The Challenge of the Desert.

The Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans gave us an insight into the old ways.

This pit was for the cock fights.

The old forge was still in use producing iron artefacts.

This house of the future was controlled by a computer-just like the house that Mike and Sue had built. Difference was the voice operated system was all in Japanese!

The whole museum needs a lot of time to explore the many dwellings, displays, gardens and to enjoy the homemade delicacies at the bakery.

The Lomax trial is always held on Easter Monday starting at Glynn Ceiriog.. Steve Saunders lost his bike in the slurry pit at Moelfre Hall farm.

He did manage to pull it out by the rear wheel but his event was over!

At Penrochel, Dolau, we parked the bus in the yard and spent a few days trail riding with some old friends, Dick Sutton, Alan and John

Shirley restores Morini motorcycles but has given up off road riding.

She looks after tame sheep and chickens-one ate the cherry off the top of Jims piece of cake!

We enjoyed a rest looking down at the view along the beautiful Wye Valley.

Later we were surprised to find this Jet Provost parked on a driveway.

Once again it was June and time to visit Llandrindod Wells.

These three old men entered the Welsh 2 day Enduro as Team 200years

.

200 was the total of their ages and between them they had 90 years experience of riding in this popular event-but they still got lost.

German rider Hubert Scheck  retired when the rain and cold got the better of him-he much prefers the desert rallies!

  Jim and Bob made it to the finish but were glad when it was all over.

A rare photo of Jim on a quad as we joined the Jones's who run the Yamaha Off-road Experience at Llanidleos.

We wrote a story about road bike riders learning to cope with mud, ruts and bogs and having a great day out.

In the evenings the racing was fierce at the Speedway stadium.

The local Islanders team were in action against Workington and then some serious sidecar racing. More MX was to follow at the quarry course with events for juniors and their dads.

The Past Masters trial sponsored by Sammy Miller ran at a gentler pace up on the downs above Bembridge.

We adjourned to the pub for a lobster lunch. Then it was time to do some more sightseeing and ride the green roads across the downs.

At Alum bay we took a boat trip out to see the Needles lighthouse.

Later we took a bus to Osborne House.

Built for Queen Victoria the house is set in magnificent gardens with views across the Solent.

             More events in the warm summer weather.

Just down the road at Meifod the National Eisteddfod took place in glorious sunny weather.

All around the maes were lots of activities and we met many visitors from around the world.

Next stop was at the Eppynt army ranges for a round of the British Enduro Championship.

Alex joined us to help grandad get his KTM through scrutineering.

It was the hottest day of the year and the service crews were kept busy as riders suffered in the heat.

Alex was eager to clean the KTM so granddad could ride faster!

Another visit to the publishers coincided with the Dawn to Dusk 12hour enduro at Neath, South Wales.

Jim was a marshal and Dot  enjoyed looking after the lazy lot in the pits.

Once again team Rallyraid were enjoying themselves though Patsy found her desert bike unsuitable for riding in a Welsh forest.

Donna Gray rode her KTM to win the Clubman Iron man class-some ride!

Then the all the team went to Trentham Gardens in Staffordshire for the National 4x4 show where our book about the Dakar was to be launched.

see top of this page.

                         Off again to Berlin and Poland

We flew to Berlin and then drove with the Hays to Keilce in Poland where the final round of the European Championships was being held. The ACU Junior team were taking part and we went along to help with service.

Our accommodation was in a large shed on a small farm.

The start was at a race circuit in Medinza Gora where the 2004 ISDE will be based.

Chris Hay has a Polish mother and the local TV set up an interview.

The service points were at the special tests so we managed to see some of the action.

 After the final MX test the team were pleased to have finished with a good result.

The Jones boys took us back to the airport in the van and we had a long wait for our flight home.

This gave us lots of time to visit Berlin and see the fully restored Brandenberg gate.

We were impressed with the work that has been completed since our last visit here in 2001.

At the Buddybear circle Dot found herself two new friends from UK and USA.

Jim wondered why anyone would want to be seen in this car.

The new Sony Potsdam Centre is impressive with  a big fountain, huge TV screens and trendy bars.

But they have kept part of the old building preserved behind glass walls so the inside is visible.

                         Celebrating Jim's 65th birthday!

At Hawkstone park in Shropshire the last round of the Fast Eddy series gets underway.

We tried to work out how many times we had visited this famous MX circuit since the 1950's.

Bob and Wendy Room came to Wales to join the celebrations for Jims 65th birthday and we took them to see some of our local landmarks.

Telfords aqueduct near Chirk castle carries the canal and railway over the river Ceiriog.

This was the view of Lake Vyrnwy as we enjoyed our evening meal.

This bunch of Coffin Dodgers were to enjoy a great days ride across the Berwyn mountains.

Jim was presented with a walking stick at lunch in Llanarmon.