Bicycling on the Ardnamurchan peninsula

Now thats a start to a blog post I'd never thought I'd write! Mrs R decided a while back we should go up to Strontian for the weekend at the most Excellent Sunart Camping but being winter and only having daylight from 9 - 4 motorcycles were discarded but Fi had the great (??) idea to take bicycles. We set off on Friday after work on a particularly wet and dark evening, bicycles in the back of the pick up, sleeping bags and tea making equipment stowed (we were in one of Tim's excellent cabins) Jake and Ali arrived as we were leaving and unfortunately we had to say hello and goodbye and leave as we had a fair journey, a ferry to catch and more importantly a booking for food at the local pub.
A reasonable journey, some craic with the ferrymen and a nice meal followed by a convivial but not outrageous night at the Inn.
Saturday was unbelievably glorious, sun shining but cold, we set off round the Loch, me panting and complaining (I much prefer an engine) but to be honest going much slower allowed me to appreciate the scenery more, several times I tried to get pictures of Herons as they majestically swooped along the loch looking for food but as soon as I raised the camera they buggered off! I did 10 miles, Fiona 12 (I stalled at the top of a big hill and refused to down it as it meant coming back up on the way back) A pleasant way to spend the day but even Fiona was saying that she preferred an engine.
Another more hectic evening in the pub on Saturday (earlier start) meant I left Mrs R to pilot us home on Sunday. On the Saturday night the pub was quite busy when we went to eat but empty when we came back, a local octogenarian had gone missing earlier in the day and being such a cold night there was some concern, the locals to a man (and woman) immediately set of to search, a couple of hours later the man was found with not too much adverse effects, the rescuers came back to the pub, job done, brilliant thing about these rural communities, in times of need they all help each other, all in all a braw weekend but the Tour De France can wait a wee while yet!

The burn at Strontian

Local wildlife

And again

Nice day for it

Cooler when the sun went down

Snow on the peaks

Nature lighting the hills

An ethereal glow

The loch

Reflections

Bicyclist

Calm loch

Not so calm Gino

Braw

Waiting on Fiona to catch up......

Interesting sign for those telecoms geeks amongst us 

Some motorcycling as winter begins

The blog has been quiet the past month, apologies for that but with no big trips and no major gatherings twitter has been enough, however there has been a fair bit of motorcycling, the end of Season Norton meeting took place about three weeks ago at Tullybannocher, very poor Norton turnout, only 2 Commandos made it however the people are what its all about so a big thanks to those who did come along to make it an enjoyable day blethering, the meeting clashed with Erics wee Smokey do so I think many of our usual attendees fancied Erics banter rather than mine, next time we'll try not to clash dates.
The last few weekends have also seen the 650 BMW's being brought out to play, ideal for finding the small deserted roads that abound in Perthshire and Fife, some really excellent miles in stunning colourful Autumnal scenery, only thing was I was enjoying it so much I didn't take many photos. Heated gear is back on so although its a bit colder Mr Gerbring is providing warmth, ye cannae whack it!

Only 2 Nortons

Mines

Nice used Commando

Playing in the ford

and again

Tea stop at Rait Antiques centre (very good) 

Small roads , bliss

The Tay and the Fair City (Perth)

Fiona wondering what I'm doing

Back road into Comrie, splendid

Buchanty Spout, Impressive

Italia

So last week a short visit to Italy to catch up with friends and relations and to escape the colder weather for a few days. Some motorcycle activity as I helped my cousin set up his 3 1/2 Morini, really tidy 40 year old model and nice to ride, I've always admired them and after working on and riding one i'd be tempted at the right price, looks like UK prices are about twice Italian prices in their domestic market. Great time had, weather was mixed but in general very warm during the day, nice wine, nice views and nice people, whats not to like, now back in the land of single digit temperatures and will just need to toughen up, managed to break a rib while I was away, painful and very debilitating, still it was my own fault so just need to get on with life whilst moaning ouch ouch ouch all the time.

Bruno fiddling

Family photo

Sounding better now

Our hire car, ideal for the roads

Fi enjoying the warmth

Main square in Rocchetta

Looking out over the med heading to Finale Liguria

Lunch stop, stormy on Thursday

View of the church through the trees in Calice

Dolceaqua

Perinaldo, worth a visit

Med in the background

On a wall in Perinaldo

Main church in Perinaldo

Stunning views

Not sure who was guilty of the shite parking, my money is on the German registered car

Seen a few of these, assume they are Chinese

Path to the castle in Dolceaqua

The bridge

Castle in B/W

And in colour

water in the river after Thursdays rain

Naked bint with a goat.....no idea

another castle shot (no excuses, I like it)

The old home town (looks the same) 

Chillin in the sun

Isolabona

Isolabona

Looking down on  Dolceaqua from the Valle Rosa road (not for the faint hearted)

Castle from way on high

Menton, Sunday, 28 Degrees

Warm enough to swim

and it would appear get your kit off

Maltese falcon, now a charter boat, wonder what country or people these people robbed to be able to charter this bad boy