Terry and Sooz's Travels: September 18, 2023

Today was a big day. We dropped off the GS motorcycle at Stefan Knopf's place in Heidelberg to be shipped back to Orlando, arriving in early December. It is with mixed feelings. On the one hand, we have lived off the bike since picking it up May 3, 2023, 14 countries, 4.5 months and over 7,500 miles ago. I had it serviced once. Other than that, I just put gas in it and regularly checked and adjusted tire pressure. It has run and operated flawlessly.

On the other hand, Sooz and I will not miss loading and unloading the luggage and gear on and off the bike, wearing motorcycle gear while doing touristy stuff and being exposed for hours in uncomfortable weather. It has worn us out.

However, we are very happy and grateful to have experienced Europe and the UK on the GS. It has been a wonderful adventure and the motorcycle enhanced the adventure and experience. We have tasted, smelled, felt and seen every single mile. It is a great way to be exposed to the culture and environment. People naturally come up to us wanting to learn if we are really from Florida and learn more about us and our trip. We use those opportunities to learn more about them and their country. The motorcycle has added another level to the trip that we won't have in the car, but we need the change.

We rented a car and will use it until we fly back to Florida on October 18, 2023. We are really looking forward to see Sheila, a good friend from Gainesville. She flies into Montpelier, France in a week and we will pick her up at the airport and spend a week in southern France before heading back to Frankfurt and flying home.

Getting ready to load onto LeShuttle, formerly known as the Eurotunnel

Entering the motorcycle train car

Sooz, in the motorcycle train car with the GS. We didn't have to strap down the bike. We rode in the car with the bike, without seats - it only took 35 minutes to cross under the English Channel from England to Calais, France.

A Pet Lounge at the English side of LeShuttle terminal

To exit the train, we waited for the cars to start moving and then rode the bike out.

Getting ready to exit the train

Welcome to France

This was our room at the Hotel Eden in Bethune, France.

The GS posted up just outside our room at Hotel Eden in Bethune. Sooz met and we had a great conversation with Jackie from Sarasota. Hello Jackie!

Delicious French pizza

The town square in Bethune - it is a beautiful town with a lot of French charm.

The old town streets of Heidelberg, Germany. We have really enjoyed ourselves here and could spend more time getting to know it better after getting rested up. Maybe next time.