A Pyrenean bimble

[MT Pocket]

Whilst out riding in the Pyrenees (again, when you lot had gone), I got chatting in a very him-no-English, me-no-Spanish kind-of-way to a guy with an old WWII era Willys Jeep.
He was out with his gun dogs enjoying a views and having a picnic with his daughter.

Seeing that my bike had some Military connection and I was interested in the Jeep which seemed out of place we got chatting about some Aircraft crashes in the area - a Stirling in '45, a Beaufighter in '44 and a Noratlas in '53 and he marked a couple on my map. I then showed him my RAF ID and he went freekin nuts with enthusiasm, inviting me to his 'museum'. I turned him down saying that I was off in a different direction also thinking he was slightly insane - it turns out he is the curator of the Military Museum in Comprodon.

The chaps name was ALEJANDRO CUADRADO from LA RETIRADA Museo which specialises in the end of Spanish Civil War/WWII era.
I thought it may be a good excuse for a trailride if in that area again, to seek him out and get the location of the crashes and to try to find them. 20+ military bikes turning up on his doorstep may also 'make his day'.

Another example of 'it's the people you meet that make the difference to a trip' - which is why I'm no fan of the Nick Sanders school of Adventure Motorcycling

[skippy1970]

You meet the nicest people on an mt

[Mr Kay]

Awesome!

Sounds like a top idea for a visit, maybe after the event next year.

[DSG]

I just wish to endorse MT Pocket's comments about meeting people when travelling by one self. From my experiences you meet even more people to chat to if you travel by bicycle. I think it is partly because you don't have the barrier of a car or the helmet / clothing of a motorcyclist. I will make a note of any characters we meet on the Northern Run and report back.

[ellrider]

I will make a note of any characters we meet on the Northern Run and report back.

Any you meet!!!! you're taking all the nutters with you.

You might as well leave the MTs at your house and go on the Sunshine bus.

[pupster]

.... Couldn't agree more Ady ..... The people you meet make a trip ..... Those encounters happen so much less often when you're travelling with others ..... But when you're on your own and you're open, the kindness of strangers can open you up to all kinds of experiences that you will never experience on a package holiday ....
I also think an open face helmet and a big smile is a plus when travelling..... I too think it would be great to arrive en-masse to Alejandro's museum.....

....As for adventure motorcycling Ady, you don't need to buy it off the shelf!!......

....but...there's some pretty nice signwriting down there though!!!......

[zeeb]

nutters on the Northern Run, where?

[frenchy3]

Sounds excellent,great to meet people like that When three of us turned up to a tank museum in france and parked our bikes next to a sherman tank the guys in the workshops let us look around.