Almost eight weeks now since I part x'd the old GTR for my magnesium one so finally took it out for a decent run today. Had a run upto Scotland, the west coast to be precise. Portpatrick, one of my favourite 'hamlets' in Scotland. I've been three or possibly four times now in the last year, doesn't seem like many times I know but it is a big haul on a round trip there and back in a day. Four hundred and seventy miles exactly, completed today on my trip.
The weather forecast was promising so I set off at 08:45, much later than I would have hoped because I slept in. :mfr_lol:
Straight up the M6, (boring) but no choice really. Then headed west on the A75, another pretty un-eventfull road, a better alternative route would have been to go through the Galloway Forest Park, but as I said I slept in so didn't have time for that detour.
First stop on route was for some fuel (£1.38 a litre) at a Shell garage just outside Dumfries on the Annan Road where I got chatting to a small group of bikers who were travelling down from Scotland to Devon & Cornwall. Taking the sensible option, they were doing it over two days.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0608.jpg)
They assured me that the Sun was shining in the direction they had just travelled from, I unfortunately couldn't assure them in the same way. :whistling: Twas dry but a bit nippy on the way up.
Next destination, I stopped off at Cardoness Castle just off the A75 near Castle Douglas. Strange but I've never noticed it before! Perhaps it's a new build.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0612.jpg)
A might fine looking magnesium GTR.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0610.jpg)
The vistors centre.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0611.jpg)
Another shot of the bike, sorry!
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0613.jpg)
As a few of us on here are well aware there are distinct advantages to working shifts, we sometimes get the roads to ourselves if we're lucky.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0617.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0618.jpg)
Having said that I did have five'0 :police: behind me for a while on this stretch of road. They have silver cars for some reason. Whats wrong with good old fashioned white? When I did eventually see a car, I overtook it, (yes Asif, you heard me correctly I overtook it), :clap: silver car followed me for a few miles and then he shot past me and disappeared towards the horizon with a friendly wave.
On arrival at Portpatrick.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0614.jpg)
Watch out for the KILLER red squirrels!
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSCN0616.jpg)
What do they do? Why do you need to beware of them? Do they have :gunsmilie: :gun_bandana:
Not wanting to find out what unique skills they had to make you wary of them I pressed on the last couple of miles and parked up in the familiar surroundings of Portpatrick.
Everytime I go to Portpatrick I notice something different or discover new sights.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1316.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1317.jpg)
I've never noticed this before. Princess Victoria, it says? A sunken ship of yesteryear perhaps? I wish now that I'd read the plaque at its base!
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1319.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1320.jpg)
The sun was out, it was a glorious day. Had a brief stroll around the harbour and had a fish from one of the stands down there whilst being watched by a hungry bird.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1330.jpg)
Plenty of boats for all to see, some on dry dock and some afloat. Also a view of the inlet to the harbour & the coastal line.
That's it really, I rode there, I had my fish for lunch, I rode home. :mfr_lol: Soon as I exited the M6 on my return journey and headed for Kirkby Longsdale etc it pee'd it down and still is as I'm writing this, :sad: .
Hopefully tomorrow will be a brighter day and I can wash the bike. Hope you enjoyed reading and viewing the pics.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1322.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1323.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1325.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1334.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Portpatrick%209th%20May%202012/DSC_1328.jpg)
Nice one dood! one of my favorite pastimes is that...... the solo run out, no one else to pleases but ya self :punk:
Looks and sounds superb Mr Wolf. How great is that? To be so near Scotland.
Red squirrels :mfr_lol:
As I am sure you know, Scotland is the last bastion of our native reds. The rest of the country havng been ethnic cleansed by the bastard Amercan Greys :gun_bandana:
So, beware not to kill them! he says, stating the bloody obvious :embarrassed: :embarrassed: :rolleyes:
Off to to Loire Valley on Tuesday until Saturday pm. I promise not to post pictures of the bike(s) :embarrassed: :rolleyes: :mfr_lol:
Whats in the panniers ????
Coman
We have red's in The lakes & Cumbria as well.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/RedSquirrels.jpg)
why do Red Squirrels drive slower than Greys ????
Coman
Quote from: coman37 on May 10, 2012, 11:08:01 AM
Whats in the panniers ????
Coman
:mfr_lol:
Stowaway red squirrels :whistling:
Quote from: coman37 on May 10, 2012, 11:12:01 AM
why do Red Squirrels drive slower than Greys ????
Coman
:mfr_lol:
Bugger; You just beat me to it Mr Coman. :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Lonewolf on May 10, 2012, 11:10:18 AM
We have red's in The lakes & Cumbria as well.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scottish%20Trip%20Friday%2017th%20June%202011/RedSquirrels.jpg)
GTR Pannier Stowaways? Maybe that's why the are slow :whistling: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: coman37 on May 10, 2012, 11:08:01 AM
Whats in the panniers ????
Coman
:mfr_lol: Well, I'm glad you asked. I carry a Nikon digital SLR with varous accessories, spare digital compact camera, first aid kit, tyre pressure sensor, tyre valve, extra layer of clothing for when it turns bitter as it can up in Scotland, road map, sandwiches, mobile phone, satellite phone for if I break down where there is no normal reception, lap top, spare lap top in case the first one fails, etc etc.
I like to travel light....... :mfr_lol:
:cool: :yes:You have just made my packing list for next week look very boring.
ah lap top...I take a netbook myself.. :help:
Phone and touchpad for me. Touchpad is only if I'm staying overnight
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on May 10, 2012, 12:14:17 PM
Phone and touchpad for me. Touchpad is only if I'm staying overnight
I need laptop to download and recharge GoPro at the end of the day. With Battery back and 32Gig card it gives about7.5 hours.
If nothing worth keeping occurs, just deleted and recharge. I did not have it mounted for my GTR rental day :embarrassed:
It probably would have been smashed :embarrassed:
The Princess Victoria was a car ferry that sank.
Used to run between Larne and Stranraer.
http://www.geograph.ie/photo/1760176 (http://www.geograph.ie/photo/1760176)
The one that you saw is a tribute to the Lifeboatmen who tried to help her.
http://www.geograph.ie/photo/26385 (http://www.geograph.ie/photo/26385)
Why the sky filter on the pics? Makes it look gloomy when it should look sunny.
I wanted to warm them up a bit.
Quote from: Lonewolf on May 10, 2012, 12:56:56 AMHope you enjoyed reading and viewing the pics.
I did thank you.
Kevin
Nice one yet again Mr Wolf ... I just love those pictures on your Nikon .. well worth the £ without doubt !
Just under 500 miles is a good day out .. now I bet the bike looks gleaming again ! It must take you ages to unload the panniers ! :mfr_lol:
Thanks for sharing the day with us :smiley:
Quote from: Lonewolf on May 10, 2012, 11:16:09 AM
:mfr_lol: Well, I'm glad you asked. I carry a Nikon digital SLR with varous accessories, spare digital compact camera, first aid kit, tyre pressure sensor, tyre valve, extra layer of clothing for when it turns bitter as it can up in Scotland, road map, sandwiches, mobile phone, satellite phone for if I break down where there is no normal reception, lap top, spare lap top in case the first one fails, etc etc.
I like to travel light....... :mfr_lol:
Why dont you buy a "redundant" original silencer, mount it on the left side, hollow it out and you can then carry a long lens ????
Coman
Quote from: coman37 on May 10, 2012, 04:31:03 PM
Why dont you buy a "redundant" original silencer, mount it on the left side, hollow it out and you can then carry a long lens ????
Coman
Hmm, you know that could actually work. I like your'e way of thinking..... :whistling:
Brilliant pics and looks like a brilliant ride out too in stunning countryside, the West Coast of Scotland is so much more picturesque that the East Coast :yes:
Thanks for sharing those Steve.
Yet another fine effort Mr Wolf well done, looks like you had a lovely day. Of course I am not at all envious. :cry:
Quote from: 100milesaway on May 10, 2012, 05:40:34 PM
Yet another fine effort Mr Wolf well done, looks like you had a lovely day. Of course I am not at all envious. :cry:
Let me guess, you were at work again? It wouldn't have done for you in any case as I used the M6. Just look at this beautiful stretch of tarmac.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Fingers/Motorway.jpg)
Quote from: Lonewolf on May 10, 2012, 05:51:51 PM
Let me guess, you were at work again? It wouldn't have done for you in any case as I used the M6. Just look at this beautiful stretch of tarmac.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Fingers/Motorway.jpg)
Ha Ha spot on Mr Wolf, I was at work,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BUT !!!!!!!!!!!! come December I will NOT be at work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!EVER again, Because I will then be 65. So then if I so wished, I could go to Scotland any day that I liked, I could even find a B&B and stay over if I so desired. I will of course be cruising the Dales whenever the mood takes, I will also spend many happy hours sat on the wall up at "The Bridge" talking a load of :shit: about days gone by, and all the jolly japes me and the boys have had over the years. Meanwhile YOU will more than likely be plodding up and down some litter strewn street, listening to a bunch of yobs F ing and Geoff ing, after they have just consumed 12 pints of lager in a world record 3 hours :wacko:. And of course they will then be looking for someone to start a fight with. At that exact same time I will be sweeping majestically through a series of bends on my way to some spectacular part of our magnificent country, untroubled by thoughts of work, overtime, shifts, weekends working, when all your pals are off for a couple of days, Oh yes god be willing in no time at all I shall be a man of leisure, able to do what I like, when I like. One thing for sure though, I wont be going on any bloody Motorways :mfr_lol: :whistling: :rolleyes:
Way to go 100 Miles :clap:
Geoff, fair point or five there! :mfr_lol:
I'd noticed that Geoff has a mild dislike for motorways, or would that be an understatement :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
superb :clap: read just like a charge sheet :police: perfect detail :laugh:
lonewolf, lovely piccys there mate,an fine weather too!,,,would loved to have had a blast up around there.
did the hastings run on the weekend,about 450 ml trip!,,,by fook these gtr just laps the miles up :yes:,real mile munchers,absolutly effortless,an i love it to bits!!! :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:, :mfr_lol:
100milesaway,,,sweeping effortlessly through a series of bends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,,sounds like heaven on earth to me!!!!!. absolutly perfectly described me ole son :clap:
Quote from: coman37 on May 10, 2012, 04:31:03 PM
Why dont you buy a "redundant" original silencer, mount it on the left side, hollow it out and you can then carry a long lens ????
:mfr_lol: Maybe there will be room for a french stick too?
Quote from: olde coney on May 10, 2012, 10:02:36 PM
I'd noticed that Geoff has a mild dislike for motorways, or would that be an understatement :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
And theres me thinking you hadn't noticed Rog. Motorways in my humble, are for people in a rush, or folk who are not too bothered about scenery, If time is a factor, I just set off earlier. When on the bike I do like to get a shift on, but I am never in a rush to get anywhere in a set time scale. A thousand gear changes, hundreds of different bends/corners to be lined up and ridden through, over a full day, and a journey of hundreds of miles through some stunning countryside arriving home utterly knackered, but buzzing with the thrill of it all, is where I get my motorcycling fix. Somehow whizzing along in a straight line for mile after mile hasn't got the same effect on me. :smiley:
Hear Hear! :biker3:
As normal Mr wolf..! excellent pic's which put's my pics to shame :wink: "ever thought about giving up your day job" :mfr_lol: