Further South

We spent a full day looking around Braemar. You could spend weeks in this area if you were into bush walking and climbing or just soaking up the scenery, however South we go. In 2007 we were snowed on when the maximum temp for the day was 3. Guess where we rode through? Yep, the same valleys and ski fields.  STEEP.

Next stop was for 2 nights in Sterling where they have (believe it or not) a bloody castle. Those who have seen Brave Heart will know of William Wallace.This is where he gave the Poms a flogging.

We braved commuting and caught a train into Edinburgh. Good move. The place was FULL. There was a military thing on all weekend with parades and displays, the local show and people every where  That includes us 2. We tried a bus tour but traffic jams put an end to that so we got off and walked. Nice place to visit but didn't bother with the castle, too many people and it is apparently like this all the time. On the train and home to Sterling.

The Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameron, was there to see us.

South again, passing the Falkirk Wheel. It lifts and lowers boats to the different levels in the canals. Probably You Tube Falkirk Wheel to see it work.

Next stop was a walled town called Berwick-upon-Tweed. Nice.

 

Today's ride was mostly major A roads, however Olga performed beautifully in the traffic. She must know she is getting close to going home. A week till we get her ready for shipping, still a lot can happen between now and then.

Next story from Whitby, where Captain Cook came from.

From Skye to Braemar

 

We left Skye to head East to the Scottish coast then to go South. The scenery changed dramatically from steep hills to flat farmland.  We had not been to this part of Scotland in 2007, so all was new.

 

A room with a view.

Our B and B in Nairn.

We followed the coast around from Inverness to Aberdeen.

From Aberdeen we headed inland again to the hills. Much more scenic and surprisingly a bit drier.  More bloody castles, rivers and a bit of snow.

Balmoral Castle. The queen was out, probably shopping or shooting deer, so she missed out on having a cuppa with us. Her loss.

All is going well. Olga is behaving, however she has a bit of a backfire when riding slow in the wet.  So, ride fast.

To Isle Of Skye

A very rare thing happened today.NOT MUCH RAIN.

In 2007 we wanted to get to The Isle of Skye but the weather beat us. Not today.

 

A prime bit of real estate.

The Bridge to Skye.

Happy Snaps.

 

The view from our B & B.

Start heading East and South today.

North To Sunny Scotland

Since the day slacking it at Pooley Bridge we have made it into Scotland. The weather predictions have been for very wet and windy, however so far so good. Scotland is spectacular as far as scenery goes.

The only bridge over the Atlantic Ocean.

I’ll let the photos tell the story.

   Plenty of rain, all the dams are full.

Yes, snow.

Today we go to Inverness to shout Olga a new front tyre.

All is good in sunny Scotland.

IOM to Pooley Bridge

The sad day arrived and it was time to head back to England. The ferry was 100% full, 99% motorcycles.

Coming into Liverpool the ferry passes a small power station. To think that we kick up such a stink if a wind farm was to be put near us. The noise from the wingers is louder than the windmills.

From Liverpool we headed North to the Lakes District.  We called into a small village where Mr and Mrs Potter’s little girl Beatrix wrote stories about rabbits and things.

“Hill Top”

More wide roads.

Dut dut darrrr, THE STRUGGLE. MOTORCYCLE HEAVEN. The road, 2 way, starts from Ambleside as a main(ish) road. Olga was in 2nd gear for most of the way.

Going up.

Where the road disappears in the photo, it drops down to Ambleside, STEEP AND NARROW.

Up.

What goes up must come down.

 

We made it to Pooley Bridge, a small village at the North end of the district and had a day on the lake ferries. Not as hard as wrestling Olga.

Further North tomorrow. Heading towards some feral weather.