Ocean Villas

June 21st - 22nd 2011

A brief visit overnight to Auchonvillers, the Somme - or 'Ocean Villas' as the WW1 British Tommy called it.

Our friend Thomas, from the Black Forest, having spent a few days in England visiting his mates, was going back to Germany via Dieppe. So why not have a little ride-out with him as far as the Somme?

Avril Williams guest house incorporating the Ocean Villa Tea Rooms.

The front sunken garden with replica observation post facing the position of the front line which would have have been just a few hundred yards away.

 

The original garden well that Avril hasn't quite got to the bottom of!

Auchonvillers is one of the many villages on the Front Line at the time of the Battles of the Somme which took place from 1st July to November 1916.
 

Avril has a museum of WW1 and WW2 exhibits just over the road from the guest house, plus dozens of items on display in the house and tea rooms.

Coffee in the farmhouse in the evening, surrounded by history.

Restored WW1 trenches in the back garden and a view of the rear entrance to the cellar which was used as a first-aid dressing station.

Thomas and Wil - Duck or Grouse!

Bill Saker Classics

Pioneer Run at Madeira Drive, Brighton - Sunday 20th March

A hazy morning greeted us as we set-up the inaugral display for Bill and Wil's new company:
Bill Saker Classics: Tel 07767 693333
william.sakersmith@tesco.net


1966 Bonneville Export & 1970 A50 Royal Star BSA


Jacko, Bill, Christine & Wil ...................................and Biggles paid us a visit!



The weather gradually cheered up and we had a nicely lit lamppost! .......


So before the midday rush, a peruse around the mechanical marvels that took part in the 73rd Pioneer Run from Epsom Downs to Brighton for motorcycles and three wheelers manufactured before 1915:

Please click the following link to view web album ...
https://picasaweb.google.com/114109700602059185660/BillSakerClassics?feat=directlink

There was a lot of interest in the Bill Saker Classics ~ so, its good luck to the new venture.

Uncle Mike's Funeral - Friday 24th Sept.

Christine said goodbye to her Uncle Mike in appropriate style today:

He loved motorcycles, so he went to his funeral on just that:



Ten riders gathered in Findon village, under dark clouds and drizzle, to form a cortege procession to accompany the Triumph hearse to Findon cremetorium.
With a police outrider (many thanks to John) at the rear, we processed through the village then onto the A24 where we took up the whole two lanes of carriageway between Findon and Washington roundabouts - twice, before turning into Findon cremetorium.













'All revved-up and know where to go' - after the mourners had entered the chapel the bikes gave a final farewell to Mike by waking the dead with handfuls of throttle!
Job done!


On behalf of Christine and Bill, thanks and appreciaton go to;
Alan & Sue, Rob, Simon, Eric, Steve, Mike, Martin and John for sparing the time to give Mike a good send off.

Brighton Rock - 11th & 12th September

Brighton Speed Trials - Saturday 11th.


Nothing like a cup of tea................................................eh Thomas?


Cooper Manx.....................500cc manx Norton.............the Go Kart of its day!


Now thats what I call a lawn mower!...........................Where's my grass box?











Brighton Pavilion....a bit of culture...............................well, maybe not!


The end of another day of cultural activities for our visitors Thomas and Martin.


Ace Café Brighton Burn Up - Sunday 12th.


An early morning start from Worthing..

Brighton.......and the obligatory breakfast..........

The day is warming up nicely.


The bikes are rolling in..............now where did Andy put his bike...."oh, I remember.......its at home"


The girls are rolling in and Bill's too busy talking.. ..................now where did I spill my drink?















Some goodies from the Ace Café stall.........................................it those girls again!


The Paparazzi!.....................................................and the tempo is hotting up!


Time for refreshment............................................................


Some golden oldies..................................








Now this is a cool electric bike...........................


These are not so cool...........................burn baby burn!


Except this one........Thomas should have it to get to work in the winter - to stop him falling off in the snow! Besides, you shouldn't burn a VW Campervan!



Mr Bean waves goodbye...................................................Dummer and Dummer?






The final breakfast...............................


A pause for thought - on Battle of Britain week - at the Folkestone memorial.


A great weekend - thank you to our German and English friends for making it all possible.

Jacko













more to come..