Friday 2^nd May 22 bikes, 32 members, boarded the early morning ferry from Dover to Calais.  The ride down from Ipswich had been decidedly chilly but this should have been expected when leaving Ipswich at 5.30am.  When we disembarked at Calais the warm sunshine was just what we needed for our journey to Arras.  Just before arriving in Arras we stopped to visit the WW1 Canadian Memorial and Trenches.

Due to other commitments, The Moto Club Arrageois were unable to spend the weekend with us this year, however we were given a warm welcome by the Deputy Mayor of Arras and other dignitaries, at a reception in the Town Hall on Friday evening.  Later that evening we all enjoyed an evening meal at La Rapiere restaurant in the main square, which had been arranged for us by The Moto Club Arrageois.

Saturday was a day at leisure.  Some of the group spent the day exploring the town, shopping, and visiting the underground tunnels etc., another group did a ride out to Abbeville, and a third group did a ride out to Le Touquet for lunch on the prom, passing through many small villages and beautiful undulating countryside on the way.

Sunday was an organised ride out for the whole group through the Somme Valley, taking in WW1 Memorials and Cemeteries, with a stop for lunch beside the canal at Corbie, and an afternoon stop in the town of  Peronne.  Once again our evening meal had been arranged for us by the Arras Motorcycle Club.

Monday morning we left Arras for a leisurely ride back to Calais, through tiny, pretty, French villages. We had a long lunch break at a café in Fruges, and a further stop just before joining the A26 for Calais.

The weather for the whole of the weekend was sunny and hot for this 760 mile round trip.

Many thanks to all who helped organise this trip, and to the people in Arras who made us most welcome.

Friday 2nd of May 22 bikes 32 members set off for Arras.

This trip was to be different than previous years because we were not meeting our friends from Moto Club Arras, they were on a public holiday.

As the club Review has just been published & it will be two months before the next issue, Which will contain blow by blow tales of this weekend, I think those who organised this trip should be thanked & congratulated NOW. It was a lot of work for Tony & Karen & I can assure them it was worth it. I had a great time as did every one else. Even those who were not too well said they had an enjoyable time.

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