We did not quite get away from the MGM Beach Resort at 8am as planned but we got away by about 8.30. With 11 riders and two pillions there are bound to be some problems to deal with before we are happy to embark. This morning there were unpaid bills and lost room keys which is about par for the course.
We headed south towards. Pondicherry whence we came a couple of days ago but turned off right a few miles down the road away from coast. Our early start turned into a bit of a carnival as the school children waiting for their buses to go to school all waved at us as we sped by.
As we forked right from the coast road we had our first close shave of the day when an oncoming bus came thundering; horns blasting towards us at the junction and we had to give up our right turn position else get mown wiped out. Bus drivers are dangerous and Richard Pearse is writing an item now which may explain why.
Our second close shave was an oncoming motorcyclist with pillion whom I though was swerving towards us to avoid pot holes was in fact turning to his right across our path.
Having missed a right turn which I am told was obvious by the fact that one of my fellow motorcyclists was waiting at the junction. Ted Curtis has been giving me stick all day because of my lack of observation. Of course he sits at the back all day sweeping up and any misdemeanors on his part go unobserved. We did about 40 mile stints which are quite long and my coccyx ands backside needed a rest after that time. We found a couple of chai stops one of which served a mean dal and chapatti.
On one of the stops the mechanics decided to adjust my chair which waqs a bit tight after the wheel change. This involved placing the bike on the centre stand which promptly broke and had to be removed. Glad it broke then, rather than failing whilst I was riding along.
Most of the roads today were dual carriageway which again saw a contra flow created without warning when suddenly we were faced with oncoming traffic.
We have had to refuel twice today which is drain on the old expenses but at least petrol is around £1 a litre so a bit cheaper than at home.
We arrived at our hotel at about 4pm having covered the planned 200 miles on a very diverse route ably led by Gordon using his sat nave. We saw some interesting sites and smelt some awful smells as we traveled through some of the poorest communities I have seen so far..
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We are staying at the Breeze Residency, Tiruchirappalli so that is one leg out of five completed.
Nigel
The first Big Boy's day sounds really eventful. Wish I had been there. Glad that you are all ok, even though it sounds like there were a couple of close shaves. Neil, hope you are looking after our trusty bike and not breaking it like Nigel appears to be doing to his. Just a quick thank you to Sam for getting us home without any problems and dealing with the airport authorities in India. It was a very long day but went without a hitch. Neil, picked up the boys and they have had a great holiday, Barnabunny is even more naughty than before his holiday. Good luck to you all for the next few days and I am missing you all, especially my own Captain Chaos!! Catherine xx
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