The trip to Portugal was great. This was the first time we had flown Air Canada. I won’t again. Problems are okay, I can deal with them. Just don’t lie to me and act like that’s okay.
We stayed for a couple nights with dear friends Sandra and Ricardo. It’s always great to see them. The first day was the packing day, then off riding north on the second. Following them on their BM we took some beautiful roads to the geo center of Portugal. A large structure marks the spot and the views are stunning. After a quick break for a coffee and a slice of delicious chocolate cake, we were off again. A few miles later we found a campsite for the night. It was one we had all camped at together a couple years earlier. We checked in and they mad the turn for the main roads back to Lisbon. Hopefully we’ll see them in September in Sicily and Malta.
For the next couple of days we made our way to the ferry port in Santander, Spain. From there we would cross to the port of Plymouth in SW England. We would be riding north/northeast through the Douro Valley wine regions of Portugal and into the Picos de Europa of Northern Spain. The days were mostly dry with cool nights. Perfect weather for traveling. We arrived at the port with plenty of time to spare. This crossing is a 23 hour crossing. We had a small room and constant entertainment on board. There were maybe 80-100 bikes lined up to make the crossing. curiously though, all from the UK.
We were arriving for the Armchair Adventure Festival 2025. This festival is hosted by Matt and Reese, the Sidecar Guys. Several years ago they set a Guinness world record for traveling around the world on and scooter and sidecar. They wrote a fabulous book of their adventure, Our Ridiculous World. The festival is meant for all means of overland travel and the various talks by other adventurers were eye popping. But the main attraction were my friends. They were all there in one place at the same time. The weather was amazingly kind. Warm temperatures and little rainfall. We camped for 7 nights. All in the same spot overlooking the festival grounds and the waters of the port city of Plymouth. Surrounded by friends. All of the same motorcycle overlanding mindset. I can’t even express what the friendship of all these people means to me. Just know that I left with a full heart. And the best part? We get to do this all again at my favorite event, The Overland Event.
I will follow with picture of the event. Some I took and others were taken by friends and shared.
Enjoy,
2WANDRRs
2WANDRRs 
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