Think Floyd

It's enough to make you want to grow your hair long and learn guitar :-)

The run home

The Kirkstone Pass - the first of the last of the roads home.

Test 2

Test test2 using blog app

The start of the run home

Our first stop back in England was Kielder Water. Another beautiful
area and one to come back to.

There are loads of activities to do like mountain biking, sailing and
other fun stuff.

Lochearnhead

It's a disused railway station and from what I could see the
facilities have improved a lot

Lochearnhead

Is owned by the Hertfordshire scout and I came up here with the 1st
Northaw scouts in 1982!!!

Heading south

After the drama with Dave's tyre we were late than we would of liked
getting to the campsite at Strathyre. But it did mean we would get
some spectacular views over the Glencoe pass thanks to the weather and
afternoon sun.

The run to Ullapool

Pete, Mike and I made the run up to Ullapool at the start of a long
day's ride. Dave and Paul had set off early in the morning to get to
Inverness to fix Paul's back brakes fixed before joining us later.

There's great fish and chips to be had in Ullapool but the main reason
for the trip is for the run back to Applecross via Loch Maree and
Shieldaig - 110 miles of motorcycling bliss.

Applecross

We made to Applecross over the highest road in the UK (approx. 630m) -
Balech-na-ba (excuse the spelling) and it was a wild night to too.

Having got camp set up it was off to the very good Applecross Inn.
They do great fish and chips. The area appears to have become a lot
more popular since Monty Hall did his Beachcomber series on the BBC.
Below is a picture of his bothey next to the beach.

More running repairs

So we might as have a brew with water from a nearby river and watch
Dave fix the blown out puncture repair again and replace headlight
bulbs. What a day!

Punctures

After Paul's two yesterday and Dave's this morning we're not have a
good run on punctures. Unfortunately Dave's fix have given out after
12 miles so we've stooped to fix it again.

Connected

It's great to be back in a part of the world with a mobile signal!!

Moody looking Scotland

Loch Carron - wild and wonderful according to the blurb

Mallaig to Armadale on Skye

Our last ferry of the trip. The first time the bikes have been
strapped down too.

Time for a rest

We've stopped for a well earned break at Acharacle before heading for
our next ferry at Mallaig.

Tobermory

A long, wet and winding run up the west of Mull to Tobermory (aka
Balamory) to catch a ferry to Malaig and onwards to Skye. The sun is
shining now but how long will it last?

Fionnphort

We've arrived. They even had to finish making the road to get here!!
The only thing beyond here is the island of Iona.

Another ferry

This time to Mull and to find a campsite at the back of beyond.

Carron ferry

For the short hop to the other side and saves about 90miles on the road.

Great roads

After visiting the lighthouse we worked our way up to Lochgilphead
along the kind of roads that make riding up here so enjoyable.
Unfortunately the rain kept things slow and steady.

More great roads this morning and best of all it stopped raining all
the time AND the sun came out.

A quick stop for coffee and cake here.

Dave's detour

* to qualify as a Dave's detour the route must be a steep, twisty,
rough single track road with grass in the middle; generally with great
vistas in the middle of nowhere. The run to the Kintyre lighthouse had
extra kudos as it needed an OS map as it was on satnav:-)

Kintyre part 2

The most famous thing about Kintyre is that is was the inspiration for
the 70's hit song Mull of Kintyre by Wings (Paul McCartney.

Kintyre

The crossing was rough enough that we had to hold onto the bikes to
stop them falling over:-)

After lunch in Campbell Town we headed off on a 'Dave's detour'* to
the Kintyre lighthouse. Here's a great view, imagine how much better
it would be if it wasn't raining.

On the move again

A short run around Arran and on to the ferry heading Campbell Town.
This looks like it could be more interesting (I.e, rough) than the
last crossing.

After last night's fun and games waking up with the side of the tent
on top of me there's something beautiful and moody about Scotland in
bad weather. A picture never quite captures it.

Some great roads. Three cars stopped in the same place counts as a
traffic jam here.

Off to the Arran distillery for a cuppa.

It's raining it's pouring the old man is snoring

The wind was up last night which meant a 2 am trip out to re-peg, but
otherwise the tent stayed up. The wind has eased now but the rain has
come. Hopefully it'll blow over soon enough.

Camping

Here we are all set up at Kildonan right on the coast. It's breezy but
a lot warmer than night :-)

Arran here come

Tyres

It helps if you pump up your tyres 'before' you set off - eh Paul:-)

I can see the sea....

at Girvan

A beautiful sunny day

Off past Clatteringshaws Loch (didn't stop this time to share scones
with the birds) on the way to Newton Stewart to meet up with the final
member for the tour, Paul L.

Next stop the ferry for Arran.

A good night followed by.....

Clear star covered nights a lovely to look at but are a bit chilly for
camping. This a picture of my top-box first thing this morning covered
in frost. Extra layers and a wooly hat were needed in the sleeping bag.

Scotland is very pretty - when it's not raining :-)

Squires rally

After plenty of rain on the way up it's great to arrive at the rally
in the sunshine. Time for a brew before breaking out the tent.

The sea front at Thornton - cleveleys

A good place to come if you want to be made to feel young. There are
lots of Toyotas here:-) It does have a tram which runs into Blackpool
for £1.80. bargin.

Man U

It's a football team - and, unfortunately, a very good one. Come on
City!!! tomorrow.

The sun is out...

A good day for a ride. Thanks to Boggit for his hospitality. Next stop
- Scotland

Time to stretch the legs and make a call

Time to stretch the legs and make a call

All ready for the off. Just need to drop something off and it's time to hit the road

Hmmm, more stuff than space at the moment.

Little fluffy clouds

 

Captains log stardate 892009

What's it all about? I don't know, but it'll be fun finding out.
G.