Applecross Norton weekend

This year we changed the dates to accomodate Ian Loram who was riding a 1929 Norton model 18 from Devon up around the North of Scotland and back to our wee event at Applecross. For a variety of reasons we haven't been to Applecross so much in the last year but it was great to be back and catch up with everyone, strangely it wasn't crazy busy so that made it all the more enjoyable. Alex, myself and Fiona set off Friday morning, after a 2 month spell of scorching weather our departure was in the pissing rain which is bloody typical, sad to say we were not Norton mounted but on our Moto Guzzi's (no time to prepare the Nortons sadly but that will be rectified for next year)
It rained most of the way which made dealing with the bloody motorhomes and caravans more challenging than usual. Funnily we met most of the attendee's at various times on the run up but all having different, tea, coffee, pee break needs we kept to our little groups. We met Liz (also on her Guzzi) at the waterside in Lochcarron and had a pretty bleak run over the Bealach in heavy mist, that and the stupidity of some drivers of overly large motorhomes made the run over not as good as it should have been. The rain stopped and tents were erected, nonsense talked then a trip to the Walled Garden via the Applecross Inn for dinner. The weekend passed far too quickly and it was excellent to meet up with the locals who I consider friends, there have been a couple of tragedies locally recently but life has to go on, wonderful to travel 200 miles North and find a place which is as welcoming, just like the old signature song from Cheers, "a bar where everybody knows your name".
Ian Loram put in an impressive 1500 miles plus on his 1929 bike and that was impressive, we left on the Sunday in the rain and mist to head back to the Riviera like conditions in Perth. A fine weekend amongst friends, never mind the rain, its was excellent.

Fiona feeding the Ducks at Dalwhinnie

Smiling despite the rain

A bit of sun for Bert, Laurenne, Lesley, Liz and Fi to enjoy some Prosecco

Ian Heading for his dinner

His buddy joined him for part of the trip on this 35 Model 18

A dark and brooding Applecross bay

Have we stepped back in time?

David and Ian passing over a book which we will actually get in 4 years time (long and complicated story)

Stag night

Oi, what you looking at!

The Inn, a hostelry of the finest order

Our Guzzi's at rest

Local man Billy Youngson's mint Commando

Paul plodding through

Bob & Ginneta's Commando, Northumbria branch's sole representatives

the 1929 ES2 back up bike

Performing deer

And again

The mountains of Skye across Applecross bay

Only 1 careful owner.......

Pretty landscape