Hi from Croydon
 

Bromley Crystal Palace Blimey I never knew so many prospective travellers lived so close. I too love to get over to France and went to Spain last year. Two weeks time I am over for the TT and at the end of June 4 days in Normandy who knows where after then. I expect the wife does if she does not let me out again. But Ripley has been mentioned can someone tell me the date and whether I can just turn up. Hope its not TT week. By the way have just sold my Blackbird and now have a Vara I sometimes wonder whether I have done the right thing but since reading on here of others adventures and the bikes they use itsmade me want to really use what I have for its real purpose pong travel. I will just have to come to terms with those sexy sports bikes leaving me in their wake.

Hi and welcome! I'm from Croydon too but moved away a long time ago. It's never left my heart though...

The Ripley details are here:

See you there? :)
Stephan

Thanks
 

Cheers Stephan nice to know there is another Forum member from Croydon.Croydon has probably changed a great deal since you lived here. Thanks also for the Ripley info.
Its probably the only meet I have read about so far this year that has really appealed to me but given I am off to the TT soon and at the end of June I am off to France even though the entry fee is a reasonable cost but I would need money for fuel food etc I am not going to be able to afford to go.
Thats my fault for taking early retirement but there you go. Its definitely top of my list for next year now.
If you are goi g enjoy it and I might see you there next year.
Regards
Ted

Me too, also born in Croydon, Nowadays its not the Croydon we knew as kids and certainly not a place to walk out alone at night, without :2guns:

Hondated, I leave tomorrow(Thursday) for the TT, then Ripley just after that.
Are you by any chance a Crystal Palace supporter? I know that the other poster here Stephano's Grandfather was a Palace manager years ago(George Smith)

Dave
 

your spot on there and I am a New Addington boy as well so that must say something

Great choice of bike there Sir :thumbup1:
As mentioned earlier the Ripley meet is a great way of meeting fellow travellers. Could I also suggest the vardero uk forum and the varadero international forum...mention my name!:D
There is currently an international varadero meet in Turkey as we speak (different country each year) which is attended by many fellow European varaderoists

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Momsieur

Tt
 

Dave

I will be over on the Island on the saturday of race week it would be great to meet up.
I know its a long shot but if your staying in Douglas give me a clue where you will be and I will try and meet up with you.

Stephan - Dave
 

I know it must have seemed a tight git when you read my original post but I was just trying to be economical. Well I tried and after moping around I got the go ahead from the wife and so I look forward to meeting you both up at Ripley. If either of you want to meet up on the way let me know.
I am now really looking forward to it because I think it was Motorcycle Sport and Leisure that featured last years event in their mag and I remember thinking how good it sounded and what a shame to have missed it.

Monsiur
 

Thanks for info I don't suppose I will get to Turkey this year but hey what about next year.

Enjoy your travels

That's right, Dave. :thumbup1:

Meanwhile, my other grandfather sold fruit & veg in Surrey Street market (when he wasn't watching horse racing on TV or drinking in the Tamworth Arms). :rolleyes3:
http://img01.beerintheevening.com/cc...06f101ae13.jpg
Great that you're coming, Ted. I'll be there Saturday & Sunday, insha'allah, as my holiday doesn't start till Friday. Look out for a bike with a UAE number plate.
Stephan

Surrey Street
 

Stephan

Hopefully your Grandad is still with us but he is or isn't the time he was trading he was a real market person unlike many that are there to day.There are a few genuine ones I am sure but some of them really are jack the lads and do not sell the best goods. I can remember when the old traders use to hold a Christmas party for disadvanatged kids and they did a lot for local charities as well. There you are theres one difference already

Must be different Croydon to the one in Australia Little place of about 300 ppl near Normanton in the gulf of carpentaria!
Cheers guys
Ivan

Hi Ivan
How's it going? When I used to do the Littlewoods pools for my mum, we had to make do with Australian football (soccer) teams during the summer months.

I always used to select your Croydon for a score draw because of the name. :)

Never won anything though....

Stephan

Croydon
 

Hey mate
just sent you a phot via email i couldn't make it small enough to post here. cheers:D

There you go:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kL4ZseB4TGc/Sh...e%20pub%20.jpg
Photo of Normanton purple pub, 80 km from Croydon. I don't think my grandfather would have approved of the colour.

And here's another interesting Croydon fact which links us. Croydon, UK, used to be the site of London's airport. Mail planes etc. flew from there to the UAE's first airport in Sharjah, as a refueling point, before heading on to India or Australia!
Stephan