The truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: .... ok... its been a few weeks since Steve posted his version of what went on north of the border but here is the shocking truth, the reality, the hard core bare bones of an 1,800 miler, through all weathers, getting through Bradford in one piece and even managing to fill up before we ran out .... :whistling: :whistling: ... ok .. its basically the same as before, but because that was SO long ago you will have all forgotten about it and so this will be like a new story and we like stories so close to Christmas ....
Well ...Gtr and Gs ...would the Bavarian tractor survive such an ordeal, where the air is thin and the locals so scary ??
Here we go ....
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo_zpsf93fdc60.jpg) (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/NigelCooper/media/photo_zpsf93fdc60.jpg.html)
It was decent weather for me heading North from the Sussex Coast, a blast on the motorways and a stop for a Costa and a sticky bun on the way .. can't go anywhere without a Costa ! 260 miles and i found myself at Steves ... a warm welcome from T and the dogs and out to a local for a wee beer and some decent grub.
Leaving Steves' abode at 0500 we made good progress towards the Highlands .. it was a bit chilly to start with but soon the air warmed as we took the well trodden route to Glen Coe through Loch Lomond ...
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo_zpsa9eadc36.jpg) (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/NigelCooper/media/photo_zpsa9eadc36.jpg.html)
We took a pub lunch there, at a new place that has been constructed on the main road on the left as you come into those lovely views ... Sausage and chips with a Coke for £10 .. pretty reasonable I thought ... Riding onto towards Isle of Skye i was hoping that I may get to see the Island in all its sunny beauty .. not a chance .. 2 years in a row and I couldn't see much further than Steves' rear pipe ...
It started to rain, but no downpours this time. I havn't included many of the photos as Steve has done such a good job first time around ( yes thats right .. all those months ago when I should have put this on !! )
We arrived at the guest house .. nice ... run by a retired RAF chap who invested his lump sum / pension into his retirement .. nice bloke nice place BUT his wife was out in town with a friend so there was no food going :eek: :eek: Hang on .. from Steves shack to guest house .... 371 miles and your'e telling me theres no food ? WTF ! ... So down the road 5 miles... I know I know ... whats another 5 miles .. thats not the point !! :grin: ...to The Claymore Restauant where they could fit us in for T ... I had the fish cakes and pork .. Steve went for the crab and then the childrens burger .... :eek: .. I couldn't fathom it out either !
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo_zpsc850e335.jpg) (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/NigelCooper/media/photo_zpsc850e335.jpg.html)
I know Steve put this up too ... but bloody lovely it is too so you can have it again.
Total for me so far ..631 miles and I'm not aching ... well my ears are aching listening to all that northern drivel .... :mfr_lol:
The next day .. brekky at 0830 and we were off around the IOS ... it started to rain and it got worse and stayed like that all day .. we went to Portree ... to Uig .. to the castle at Dunvegan and then across the bridge to do The Applecross Pass ... wet.... drizzle.... zero Viz .. cars with no lights .... but fantastic hairpin bends ... oh to ride that on a warm dry day with good views ..WOW !! Snacked at the pub on the other side .. chessy chips Steve ? Can't remember that bit ... turned around and back to the GH for 5 .. hot shower and T ...chat chat chat .. great evenening .. total miles for the day ? 220 ... trip ? 851.
These next piccies are not in any particular order but just convey some of the great scenery up there in Scotland ... perhaps the best I thought on the way up in Central Scotland heading up towards the very north coast on our way to JOG ....
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo_zps839b5c36.jpg) (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/NigelCooper/media/photo_zps839b5c36.jpg.html)
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo_zpsd933ec3e.jpg) (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/NigelCooper/media/photo_zpsd933ec3e.jpg.html)
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo_zps9841a6b1.jpg) (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/NigelCooper/media/photo_zps9841a6b1.jpg.html)
The final point has to be at Jon O Groats .. Steve has put those piccies up so I wont duplicate them ... what a great place and decent weather for our photos too !
We stayed at a great B+B that night and after a huge breakfast we began to heads south ...down the A9 .. towards Edinburgh ... I thought the A9 and its scenery was disappointing compared to the west coast .. I think everyone says the same .... arriving at the GH in Ed for about 430 ... an Old Victorian style place with great secure parking at the rear .. it was a tad dated but like most of these places it served a purpose ... bed and roof ! Good Wifi and an EXCELLENT breakfast in the morning .... I know Steve didn't rate Edinburgh much but to be fare we wern't there very long and i would like to go back and take a proper look for a few days and stay in a nice hotel .. that might make a difference !!! :mfr_lol:
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo_zps43e26e3c.jpg) (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/NigelCooper/media/photo_zps43e26e3c.jpg.html)
So .. with a ride back to Steves and a wet likky greeting from the dogs it was nice to be back "home".
Another great trip up north and I was so pleased to be able to ride such fantastic roads and see such natural beauty once again ... Scotland, well the bits we saw. is just such a lovely lovely place.
Thanks to Steve of course for putting me up and for putting up with me ! :clap: :clap:
I think his garage is taking a turn for the better with some major improvements going on at the moment. :mfr_lol:
Sorry this has taken a while to get up on the forum... hope its made you smile in the dark depths of winter ......... :yes: :yes:
Nigel, I've just come across this and nearly collapsed!! :mfr_lol:
A very comical write up as always, I thought your words and pics would never see the light of day. It was a great trip and one which I will possibly get to do again next year albeit perhaps not as high up as JOG. Another wee trip to Glencoe or Skye wouldn't hurt would it providing the new bike will get that far without breaking down.
And then of course we have our Cornish trip to look forward to. How's the route planning coming along by the way? :whistling:
:goodpost: Rusty
Its always good to hear of trips whenever they are taken especially when accompanied by lots of good pictures
:punk: :punk: :punk:
Thanks Charlie .... Steve ..the planning will all be done when you tell me it's finished !!! :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Rusty on December 22, 2014, 11:41:54 PM
Thanks Charlie .... Steve ..the planning will all be done when you tell me it's finished !!! :mfr_lol:
Yeah, that's what I thought you'd say!
Great write up Rusty.
Have you always been follically challenged? :mfr_lol:
Bald ? Oh Lord yes .... soon after I said " I do " !!!! :mfr_lol: What on earth would I do with all that hair ? .. must have saved a fortune on gel and stuff !!!!
Quote from: Charlie747 on December 22, 2014, 10:42:24 PM
:goodpost: Rusty
Its always good to hear of trips whenever they are taken especially when accompanied by lots of good pictures
:punk: :punk: :punk:
Cracking write up rusty. I need to do Scotland . :clap: :clap:
Pross .. it's just lovely and I have only seen a bit of it really .... I long for clear blue skies, warm or cold it wouldn't matter, and more trips to the "little" islands off the west coast. As with all these things I and Steve and I am sure others are restrained not so much by the cost of the trips as they can be as cheap or as expensive as you like but of course by precious TIME ... it is a balancing act between wife, family, work etc and all the other jobs that need doing over the course of a year ! :yes:
I hope that in a couple of years when I have retired this will be a part of my year where I'm just going "to go" and come back in 2 weeks .. no plans, no specific places to visit .. just go and if you like it stay for a day or two .. if not move on. A little nomadic I think but I like that idea.....................................
I bet you visit that curry house on Leeds Rd again for a giant naan bread. :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Rusty on December 23, 2014, 08:56:56 PM
Pross .. it's just lovely and I have only seen a bit of it really .... I long for clear blue skies, warm or cold it wouldn't matter, and more trips to the "little" islands off the west coast. As with all these things I and Steve and I am sure others are restrained not so much by the cost of the trips as they can be as cheap or as expensive as you like but of course by precious TIME ... it is a balancing act between wife, family, work etc and all the other jobs that need doing over the course of a year ! :yes:
I hope that in a couple of years when I have retired this will be a part of my year where I'm just going "to go" and come back in 2 weeks .. no plans, no specific places to visit .. just go and if you like it stay for a day or two .. if not move on. A little nomadic I think but I like that idea.....................................
Sounds ideal as you say fit in between family and other commitments pick a time eg 10 days and see as much or as less as you want up there :yes: