RNLI Lifeboat station tour

 Packed up camp and headed to Tony’s where he was ready on his Sunbeam model 90 which also had the number plate prefix of RL like mine. We then rode to Burnham on sea and took a photo outside the lifeboat station before heading on to Weston-super-Mare. We took another photo there before stopping for a quick coffee. We then parted ways and I headed to Portishead where I had a good chat with the volunteers there and they told me they were getting ready for anniversary of their 7th year in operation. I spent the next few days in Bristol staying at my cousin’s place having an interview for classic bike guide and getting some stickers made for my panniers, thanks to signs express Bristol for sorting out them for me same day  Swapping over tyres and putting in a fresh tube

 Headed out from the campsite and aimed for Exmoor. Riding over the hills I ran out of fuel much earlier than expected. With some investigation it looked like either the float had gotten stuck or the fuel tap was leaking. Since I hadn’t stripped and cleaned the carb and float bowl for a while I decided to give the whole system a strip down in case that fixed the problem. I also investigated the fuel tap and found that one of the corks was absolutely knackered and the integral filter was pretty gammy also. When I put this all back together unfortunately the fuel then stopped flowing so it was a struggle to start the bike. In all the fighting to start the bike the kickstart fell off. This was just the cherry on top and really put a damper on the mood. Luckily I managed to get fuel flowing but it resulted in fuel pouring out of the tap when it was turned on. Luckily there was a petrol station only a few miles away and I was able to limp in. I then proceeded to investigate the leak further

 Slow day as I felt like I was still drying out from yesterday. Patched a crack that had appeared in the exhaust with some exhaust goo, aluminium plate and a jubilee clip, thanks to my host for the night. Then off to Clovelly which was down the steepest hill I’ve been down so far. A lovely secluded fishing village although I don’t recommend driving all the way down, it would be a challenge in a modern vehicle! Luckily the Sunbeam made it back up with some clutch adjustments. Then it was off to Appledore for lunch before finishing off with Ilfracombe where I stayed at a lovely campsite nearby. An ex lifeboat at Ilfracombe  The Appledore lifeboat  The Clovelly lifeboat station 

 Today I decided to do 100 miles in line with the RNLI’s mayday mile celebration where the RNLI encourages people to travel a mile in any way they can in May. For this I planned to travel from Falmouth to Bude where we had some family friends to stay with. First stop from Falmouth was Newquay where I showed up in a break in the rain. Then on to Padstow which was very picturesque at the bottom of a cliff but a bit bleak in the rain. I then travelled around the estuary to get to Rock lifeboat station. Next was Port Isaac which was a fantastic old fishing village and the helmsman in the crew very kindly got a pin badge for me. I then had a bit of a run up to Bude where I quickly got a photo before heading to my stop for the night where I was very grateful to get in out of the rain and dry off!

 Relatively long day heading for St Ives first. Then on to St Agnes where I had yesterday’s free pasty for lunch. Then back cross country to Falmouth where I stayed with my cousin preparing for my Mayday 100 miles

 Went round to the Lizard and had a windy picture at the station. Then round to Penlee which is based in Newlyn harbour. I met some of the crew there and was able to look around the lifeboat and the station. I was also put on to a great spot for lunch. I then went round to Lands end where I took an obligatory photo as hopefully I will be up to John O’Groats soon. I then popped down to Sennen cove and got a free pasty and chatted to some fellow bikers. I then went round to the Gurnards head pub where I had been put in touch with the owner and was very kindly put up for the night and had a fantastic meal! I had a good chat with a local from the pub and someone on a red Velocette came by and we talked bikes for an hour or so.