Do you struggle with who to spend Christmas with, family ructions and what gifts to buy…?! Club members, Warren and Hayley Jopson, may just have the perfect alternative to the annual festivities…
“On the 17th of December we set off with 2 scooters tucked in the van one being my "little red rocket" 125 small frame Motovespa, Warren was on his 1953 Faro Basso Motovespa - another Jopson Adventure taking Le Shuttle from Folkestone to Calais with 2 Spanish Motovespas all strapped up and ready to blow some smoke on their home turf.
Stopping the first night in Cahors, France a beautiful place to rest up for the night. Next day we drove through and stopped for lunch in Andorra, Wow what breathtaking scenery straight out of a movie set! Passed through Madrid visiting the oldest restaurant in the World for lunch, what a find. Then it was on to Portugal, driving along we couldn’t wait to get to Spain to get the scooters out and have a whizz about, eventually we arrived in Cadiz where we had a ball riding the Vespas all around town, stopping off for yummy tapas lunches .
We stayed just outside of Cadiz at a nice little welcoming place named Puerto Santa Maria where we spent a few days exploring the sites, sun was shining but weather not our normal holiday weather, too chilly for shorts but healthy weather all the same, and perfect weather for the Spanish Scoots :)
‘Vespabombing’ local wedding celebrations..
Off to Seville it was for Christmas, staying 3 nights in a lovely hotel and scooting around the sights on Vespas, what better way to get about. I was actually under the impression that we were on holiday, but as our trip went along I was informed that a little stop was in place, a visit to Jaén, Valencia, "this is on our route” he said. Warren had been in contact with a chap that had a collection of fine Vespa models that we was going to have a look at, not that old chestnut, obviously my husband had sniffed out a potential sale. “Just for a look” he said, it’s on the way. Turns out this chap didn’t want to part with the beautiful Vespa and sidecar that Warren had been drooling over. Shame as my eyes lit up too with visions of myself riding with Warren in the side car.
On to Benicassim next to meet up with the Box's, Bob & Gen. Had some fabulous days out riding taking in some Amazing sites and places. Bob unfortunately never took his Vespa on holiday this time, so they both had to ride pillion with us, what a giggle, lots of fun was had by all.
We had a nice few days in Benicassim with friends, then it was off to Barcelona to pick up, yes you got it, another 2 Vespas that Hubby had sniffed out. He said that they were a must have as such a good buy… hmmmmmm really! We are now the owners of a 1965 150 Sprint Motovespa, quite different to the standard Italian bikes, with no side toolbox and a square Piaggio badge, much resembling a baby SS180. Plus an ugly duckling DS 209 1981; DS is more or less a non-indicator PX with a Rally headset and forks.
Just as I thought all the Piaggio shopping was done, Warren announced a stop at the Vespino shop in Barcelona to collect some more spares, because he needs them desperately! After all of our purchases it was back into the van then off to Cahors once again for a night stop on route home.
Our last night before our Le Shuttle journey back to Folkestone we stopped our last night in Dieppe, we were both ready for home and the weather had turned pretty bleak. 7th of January, 2020 returned back home after racking up a mere 3,600 miles. Anyone that knows my husband knows that Warren would travel the World in 40 days for a Vespa! Another Great Vespa Adventure by the Jopsons”
Words - Hayley Jopson
Photos - Warren & Hayley Jopson
Marvellous!! Thanks so much to Hayley and Warren for sharing their trip with us.
Please send me your stories - they don’t have to be anything too exotic; a Vespa outing to your local pub or cafe will do nicely! Photos and a few words by email please to me at vespamore@hotmail.co.uk