Heid o the Glen Rally

Well that was a good weekend, except for a moment of madness on Saturday for which I will always be apologising!! Sorry again Ian! A good turnout, not so many classics but a good sidecar turnout, saw a "pod " for the first time, its like a mini caravan towed behing a bike, don't think MVD would stand it though! It stayed dry (but COOL) until Sunday when it rained like hell and blew a wind, almost lost my tent with all my possesions! MVD developed a misfire on Saturday which got so bad on the way home on Sunday we had to stop to investigate, a loose connection at the back of the ignition switch being the culprit! the song "why does it always rain on me" sprang to mind while we were getting soaked! Fixed in just under an hour and fine after that! The joys of motorcycling!
A "pod"

A cluster of Nortons

The big 3!!

Putting MVD back together


Savour the rain!!

Kirriemuir

In the birthplace of J M Barrie, Kirriemuir hence the statue of peter pan. Also the birthplace of bon scott of ac dc fame. Bit of a sore head due to over indulgence in alcohol last night.

Pictures from Scotland tour

As promised, some pictures from the recent round Scotland tour proving once again what a stunning country we live in! This weekend camping at Glen Clova, stories and pictures after the weekend!

Our friends arrive at Rosyth

Waiting for the Coran ferry

Sunset in Ardnamurchan

Not the Carribean, the white sands of Morar

And again, stunning!

Bouny using the wall opposite the Applecross Inn as a sidestand

Refuel en route to Gairloch

Tom and Kenny discussing a route as the lads prepare to leave

Norton meeting

At Powmill drinking tea at our hastily arranged meeting,a good turnout and turned nice again. A total of 8 bikes, 5 Nortons. Good effort from David with about 100 miles to get here and most of it on damp roads. Great to have a chat in the sun and the heat after so long freezing!

What a difference

Well last week it was cold but today at the beach and temperature at least 24c normally when we come here in the winter its empty. Not today its mobbed. Out on the guzzi today but roads full of people not paying attention because of the heat.

Back home!

Well that was an excellent week, 906 miles in all touring Scotland. Both Commando's behaved and went well (apart from the clutch cable). I'll post more pictures later when I get organised. Good run down the road today via Dingwall to the A82 through Glencoe, Crieff and heading back through Glendevon just in time to see the guys sailing up the Forth. A great trip and although cold in parts we were lucky with the weather most of the time. Visit Scotland in May before the tourists and midges become a problem!

All sorted.

Clutch cable fitted and noticed my panniers were missing a nut so 2 visit to spinning dale motors for a nut and some chain lube so another job done. Off for lunch now.

Rogart

A change of plan, after arriving in durness and finding it bleak and windy and finding that my clutch cable is almost knackered we decided to head for Rogart. Alex has come to the rescue again and has posted one up to me here. So days at ease in the railway carrieages.

Preparing to leave.

The guys getting ready to head to cromarty.

Gairloch

Just stopped at Gairloch for a coffee. The run from applecross has been stunning, sun all the way. I just hope this keeps up. Travelling with the belgians today so there's 10 of vs together. Heading for lochinver tonight.

Sun out for now.

Well a cold night with rain and snow on the hills but now the sun is out. Cold wind though. Next stop applecross.

Arisaig

Stunning scenery and the sun is shining. Nice run up the Ardnamurchan peninsula today. Getting the ferry to skye from mallaig at 4. Sitting in the sun chilling.

On tour

Met up with the guy's from belgium and dropping them off at the grouse distillesy. We're heading off now.

Guzzi Rally Cromarty

This years traditional May day Guzzi rally was in Cromarty, out in the Black Isle, North of Inverness. Fi decided to get some practice in and took up the Mk3 Commando whilst I was in relative comfort on the Breva. The run up on Friday was cold and the A9 full of people who shouldn't be let out alone never mind with a driving licence. We did get some rain and it was noticeable that there is still salt lurking on the roads as both bikes were white when we finally arrived in Cromarty. The Rally was very good and a surprisingly good turnout for a venue so far North in the UK. My only complaint (more an observation) was that once again the act that was booked on Saturday should have been on the Sunday and the Band on the Sunday should have been on the Saturday. Saturday night looked like a half empty social club by half ten at night. Friday we had a great night in the Royal Hotel on the shore front, nice meal and a "jam" session in the public bar by some local fiddlers and guitar players got us in the mood for a whisky frenzy. It was very late when we left and I can't actually remember being shepherded up the road.Our old pal Martin Connachy from Cork turned up on the Saturday but brought along his faggot Harley instead of his nice T3 Guzzi. The weather was good in that it was dry but the temperatures struggled to get above single figures all weekend, fed up with the cold now and could do with some WARM sun! If your in the area I'd recommend taking a detour to experience the scenery and roads, the Royal in Cromarty is well worth a visit for a meal and a drink also.

The cause of my hangover on Saturday!


It was pleasant at times





Martin talking himself to sleep

Just to prove I'm not biased a nice Ducati turned up