Arrive Ijmuiden 25 May DFDS Seaways - thinking of the Namur region of Belgium say Dinant for a couple of days - then on to Germany say Bernkastel-kues/Cochem for a couple more days - then say Koblenz for another two days - thereafter maybe back to the Netherlands for a final few days - DFDS Seaways back to Newcastle - sh300i is the mode of transport

Sounds nice, what month are you traveling?
Have you got a bit topbox?
Have you got a big screen?

Globs wrote:Sounds nice, what month are you traveling?
Have you got a bit topbox?
Have you got a big screen?

Arriving Ijmuiden 25 May - haven’t actually booked a return so it gives me some flexibility - standard honda OEM topbox - 35 litre I think - I’ve got the OEM high screen and a slightly lower Fabbri screen - I’ve got a Givi roll bag and tunnel bag which is quite good - I had first intended to visit the Ardennes region of France however france has become so expensive I’m going to give it a miss - not got an abundance of cash so the tent is coming too - planning on around 250 miles per day - prior to this trip I’ve got a week fully inclusive in Cyprus in april - happy days - you only live once

As Globs says sounds a great trip.
I would have been interested if you wanted company bit it clashes with MMiM (Maxi Muppets in Malta)

The end of May should have better weather but still be prepared to take warm clothing, I recall hail one May in France LOL!

I'd go with a tall screen as it's nice to hide behind if it's cold or rainy - a warm day can turn into a cold still evening! Tent sounds good, 35ltr sounds a bit small but you may pack light.

I organised my last trip with most stuff in the topbox, valuables under the seat with space for the lid there too. This gave me security when parking - i.e. avoid valuables in bags that can be cut away and taken. 250 miles shouldn't be too bad, the main issue is the actual times when you need to find a place to stay - many times I've rode into the night which has the advantage of light traffic and still air, but it also gets very cold and one gets tired - so I'd do some detailed route planning - it can always be changed when you're there.

Sounds like a great trip, much fun to be had! Worth taking 1/2ltr of oil (+funnel or foil) with you for top-ups if needed and tyre sealant or a puncture repair kit and a small bike pump. Don't use CO2 as you'll be stuck if it runs out, a pump takes longer but you'll always get there.

Also budget for the odd hotel like the B&B brand - just in case it's raining - nice to spread out with en-suite facilities and a place to dry your gloves if you need it

Thanks for that globs - cases of personal experience cannot be underestimated - I’ll certainly take on board your suggestions

Whilst I appreciate that the newcastle/ijmuiden/newcastle crossing with DFDS Seaways is approx fifteen hours each way - I find it is mandatory to purchase a cabin as this route does not offer any reclining seat option - much as I prefer a cabin it is thoroughly expensive for the single traveler - as previously mentioned I only booked a single crossing from newcastle giving me some flexibility for my return journey - I’m now thinking that I should have booked a return as I now plan in returning home from ijmuiden - dfds are quoting £77 for the scooter and £170 for a cabin - add this to my outward journey and we are talking a total of £420 - now I see why dfds don’t offer reclining seats on this crossing - because they are making a bloody fortune - factor in £50 per night for accommodation over seven nights is a further £350 - say £100 for fuel for the week and daily spending money and I’m now looking at a total cost of over £1200 for a week - folks I know that the war is over however that’s a lot of dough for a simple break away - my finalised route is one night in each of the following places - dinart in belgium - vianden in luxembourg - bernkastel/kues in germany - cochem in germany - koblenz in germany - dortmund in germany and finally delft in the netherlands

Cochem is popular and busy but there are other hotels including a biker one in Klotten which is only a mile or so up the road

Thanks meldrew - claiming sofas in lounges tantamount to grabbing a sunbed by the pool - no commodore class for me I'm afraid - inside two berth cabin without a seaview - no snoring or farting strangers

I’ve had second thoughts about my planned itinerary - going to be too expensive to return via Ijmuiden - I’m now thinking of returning via Dunkirk - this mind you shall entail a longer journey home - reckon I also planned too many places for a relatively short break - so I’ve decided to book Cochem for three nights enabling me to do daily trips to discover the area - after that I’m not so sure - bearing in mind I now propose a channel crossing coming home does anyone have any suggestions for the remaining five or six days - okay so after Cochem I’ve decided to visit Dinant on the river meuse for two more nights then maybe a couple more in normandy