Wootton Bassett “Afghan Heroes Ride”

Wall to Wall Bikes at the start of the ride.

I was honoured to attend the Afghan Heroes charity ride to Wootton Bassett on Mothers Day March 14th. As one of nearly 15,000 Bikers, it was a humbling and emotional ride. The people of Wootton Bassett and the villages we rode through, came out to cheer us through in vast numbers. Houses were draped in England and Union Jack flags, little kids were giving us the thumbs up and elderly ladies and gents were sat at tables on the verges by their houses to cheer us through. All in all, we have currently raised £102,000 for the Afghan Heroes charity, from the ride and I and many others would do it all again tomorrow.  Big respect to the organisers and marshalls, plus the good guys of Wiltshire Constabulary. These guys were awesome and deserve a pat on the back for their professional attitude and all the time they put in……..

Rammstein Rock

So it came to pass that I attended the Rammstein Concert at the LG arena in Birmingham. Abso bloody luteley fantastic!! Is the only way I can describe the show. Even Combi Christ the backing band were pretty good…But The Good Old Rammstein Boys rocked the house down. From their all time greats such as Feuer Frie, to the single from their latest album, we were treated to a Rammstein “Slamstein”!!! I would see them again tomorrow, if I had the chance, then the day after as well.

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Normandy Battlefields Tour then Ypres In Belgium

Mmmmm Chimay!!!!

The Ferry Home

Well Loaded

Mmmmmmm! Beer

"Plugstreet Wood"

The Menin Gate

Me and Mechelle

Le cafe grande msieur?

The countryside is full of our young men

They fell together and here they lie together

Heavy Artillery Damage At Pont Du Hoc (Normandy)

A shells eye view at Maisy Battery

A Sherman on Utah Beach

St Mere Egliese

The American Cemetary at Omaha Beach

Longues-sur-Mer

Interesting video of the above forward observation post.

2009 Events

A quiet year this year, but I joined my three riding buddies, Dodger, Mr Jubbs and Crazy Dave Hayward, for a tour of the Normandy Beaches, followed by a visit to the WW1 Battlefields and cemeteries around Ypres in Belgium. A very moving trip, for all concerned. Photos from the trip are under the Battlefield Tour Category.

Later on this year I fulfilled a lifetime ambition and saw the German band Rammstein live at the LG Arena in Birmingham. My musical tastes are very varied, but ever since I first heard Rammstein, I was hooked. Their industrial sets, atmospheric videos and shear showmanship, take some beating. Check out the concert on the Rammstein category page.