Annual GTR Meet up May 2020.

[flatfour]

Do also remember that most electric models use lithium polymer batteries. Due to the danger of fire within these batteries (which will burn without an external oxygen source and so is difficult to extinguish) LIPO's are generally not permitted on an aircraft, except when packaged in approved fireproof containers, and with permission of the airline.

The fire risks really are quite extreme - I recently watched a LIPO burning that was buried under a foot or so of earth, it was incredibly vigorous and quite frightening.

When transporting them around ordinarily, they are usually contained in a "LIPO" bag, which is itself fireproof to some extent.

[Rusty]

Looks like the control room of The Starship Enterprise 

[O.C.]

Looks like the control room of The Starship Enterprise 

I agree       bear in mind I'ma self confessed humpty        


Steve, you clearly have special talents   

[Lonewolf]

Well I'm sat here listening to great Soul classics including the brilliant Do You Know the Way to San Jose by Dionne Warwick and feeling sad but elated at the same time about this trip to Scotland. Sad that it's now almost a week since I returned home but elated that it came off, (to some degree) and that Scotland delivered on it's promise to deliver beautiful roads, very friendly people and great hospitality, everything we wish for when we go away I'm sure.


We all know the story, the trip was planned, a world catastrophe occurred and the trip was doomed to fail. After a number of date and accommodation changes over the following months, confirmation was finally obtained that there would be some accommodation available on the 15th July in Tyndrum, which was convenient as that was where we going.


My sincere thanks go to Colin, aka Flatfour for recommending Tyndrum Lodges into the equation as otherwise I probably wouldn't have considered them as I normally favour hotels. However the Lodges were ideal for my requirements. They were Covid ready, the staff were all fired up after being furloughed for so long and I cannot fault the way I was looked after there or the suitability of the room for my trip. I would have no hesitation in staying there again or indeed recommending them to anyone.


What can I say, it was disappointing that others couldn't make it in the same numbers as there were initially before the lockdown but considering how this year has evolved and the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and restrictions imposed because of it, it was perfectly understandable and unavoidable. Scotland I'm sure will be there for a few more years yet so you never know, there's always next year!!


On the build up in the final few days before launch day, (16th July) my wife often asked me if I still wanted to go as I didn't seem excited as in previous years, the truth was I was in denial, half expecting the Borders to be closed, the accommodation to not open as advertised, you get the drift. However I packed the bike and fuelled up the day before departure and then a feeling of excitement started to descend over me. It looked like this was actually going to come off!


I had already made a conscious decision that I would not be travelling up the M6 as in previous years. The audible warning I normally hear upon joining the M6 when heading to Scotland, TURN RIGHT IN 170 MILES is enough to put you off biking for life. Pete, (Rynglieder) was making his own way up from the west Midlands, so I could take my time and do the scenic route. 


The plan was simple and specific, I wanted to see countryside!! Travelling from home I went via Windermere, Ambleside, Keswick, Cockermouth, Dumfries, Sanquhar, Kilmarnock, Paisley, Dumbarton and then continued North on the A82 with Loch Lomond to my right for over 20 miles. I had arrived. Approximately seven hours and three hundred miles later after setting off from home, it all made sense, I was tired, hungry but extremely happy.


Scotland is a sight for sore eyes, it never lets me down, it never fails to lift my spirits. I settled into my accommodation, unpacked and took in my surroundings. A couple of hours later I received a text, Pete had arrived and was outside having a cuppa. We introduced ourselves, bumped elbows to say Hi and settled down for a chat about our respective journeys North.


There isn't much in Tyndrum to start with but what there was, was open to one degree or another. We weren't going to starve! We planned to do our own thing day by day, but as both of us wanted to visit Kyle of Lochalsh, in particular Eilean Donan Castle we agreed we would travel there on the Saturday.



The Lodges.










Travelling light.








A Covid breakfast.










The local and only bar.








I won't bombard you all with photos as I'm sure Pete will create a write up for you too. But here's a small selection from our time up in the Scottish Highlands.

[O.C.]

steve, I really wish that I could have been there, alas it just wasn't possible.

I now feel like I've missed out, so your pictures and report are making me feel better about it

Next year my friend......next year

[Rusty]

Nice one Steve .. The Lodges look nice.  We shall have to book them for next year ! Like the idea of missing out the M Roads and going scenic. Photos are good ... obviously.

As you say Covid 19 has scuppered most peoples plans this year, I am sure many of here will be nodding their heads in agreement and I think it will go on and on and on ... almost recycling its self every few months until we get a vaccine. Splendid trip old chap and as always thanks for the posting 

[Lonewolf]

Thanks chaps for commenting on the brief write up.


For those of us who have plenty of time on our hands here's a video of some highlights of the trip. It's a mixture of photos, bike footage and drone footage. It's almost an hour long so make sure you put the kettle on first!
 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8sbFySSxG0

[pross]

Very nice and to the point write up.
Was there any meals included at the lodges or was it survival rations like your picture 
Will look at the vid when I have more leasure time 👍

[Lonewolf]

Very nice and to the point write up.
Was there any meals included at the lodges or was it survival rations like your picture 
Will look at the vid when I have more leasure time 👍

Breakfast was as per the photo above. All other food was purchased from either the burger place just down the road or the Tyndrum Inn.

[Rusty]

Stand by ... I shall watch this in instalments of 3 x 20 minutes ... looking forward to it as I dim the lights in my underground home cinema, call the girl over for some popcorn and settle down into the Chesterfield  ... eh Steve ! 

[O.C.]

Stand by ... I shall watch this in instalments of 3 x 20 minutes ... looking forward to it as I dim the lights in my underground home cinema, call the girl over for some popcorn and settle down into the Chesterfield  ... eh Steve ! 

what a wonderfully vivid imagination you have  ....  I too will watch later...I'm looking forward to it 

[Lonewolf]

  The thing is Rusty isn't actually joking. 

[Rusty]

Well ... I am back and watched the entire 59 minutes ... Very good Steve .. Oban looked lovely and the drone is clearly worth every penny AND you need to watch your battery life !  Very good .. look forward to the rest of it.  Well done you.

[O.C.]

Agreed, I have also watched the full first instalment and am now looking forward to part 2

Well done Steve     

[Lonewolf]

The sequel is complete and will be available this weekend..........


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0kZQZzxmkI