NC500 on the Guzzi

[Alan H]

Mainly planned so far - route & accommodation anyhoo - lots of mozzy spray at the ready, so hopefully we'll survive the wildlife up there anyway.
More info soon.

[Alan H]

We were going to do clockwise originally, but hotels weren't working out, so 1st night now in Dumbarton, then Invergordon, JoG/Thurso, Ullapool, and Fort William now, including mostly coast roads via Durness, Lochinver, Poolewe, Shieldaig & Applecross.
Over 1300 miles plotted, so I don't think there will be any problems sleeping at night!
Just praying for decent weather and few midgies. Got lots of Avon skin so soft 'just in case'!
1300 miles in 6 days doesn't sound bad if said quickly......
Route 66 next year? On a proper V twin maybe, not a tractor.......
More news 'soon'.

[Alan H]

Off today. 1st night stop Dumbarton, then Invergordon, Thurso, Ullapool, Fort William and back home Friday. Decided to go anti clockwise due to b&b situation t'other way as previously mentioned.

All packed ready, just need panniers & top box on the bike before I set off for a bacon sarnie at Sedbury layby on 'this end' of the A66. Two spare pairs of gloves packed as the forecast as far as Hamilton area is 'soggy', and the 'best' leggings are out of the cupboard too. Good job the G has heated grips!
Got some Ibuprofen tablets (& gel) for achy bits, so should be ok....
Whistle see......

[PaulD738]

Have a good trip Al and ride safe

[Alan H]

Well, it stopped raining just before we got near Glasgow. Not sure when the gloves will dry out! (There's a hair dryer in the hotel room though - certainly not needed for it's proper use!!!)
Decent forecast today, so we'll be off after brekkie, across to Invergordon. Pics later.

[Alan H]

Station (pub) b&b tonight after a 180 mile ride.
Nice brekky at the Malt & Myre pub next to Dumbarton premier inn this morning, then A81 to Aberfoyle (nice coffee in the Station café there) after a short detour as the A81 was partially shut from Balloch.through Brig o' Turk, then A84 through Killin which was very busy with tourists! Onwards through the Tay Forest park - nice twisties there and eventually up the A9 to Aviemore to see the Strathspey Steam Railway there, which was shut for a private photo session. Great.
The bog on the platform was in the ticket office and that shut at 2.30, but we didn't get there 'til three and there mustov been a hundred folks waiting for trains there - some plaiting their legs no doubt! Great planning by the numpty in charge.
Anyway, as I'm a bloke, and there was plenty of tall plants in the gardens, there wasn't an insurmountable problem......
Decided to head straight to the pub in Alness after that and got there about 4.45.
Nearly teatime now, so al get me booits on and nip across t'rooad for sum nosebag.

[Scotch750]

Wuh,
Hope yam avin a nice time ?
Yuv reminded me that ahve bin there with a coach you know (Aberfoyle) .
Me and Cas took Baz And Carmen up the Trossachs
and we all enjoyed it...oo er missus !

[Alan H]

Not been bad at all Scotch - except riding from home to just South of Glasgow in a strong head/sidewind in a peesing heavy downpour.

Today we set off from Alness and was going to call at the Glenmorangie distillery, but the forecast was for rain after dinnertime, so we went straight to Wick which was mainly shut...
We did pop in at Dunrobin Castle for a coffee & pee, but it was £14 to get to the canteen, so we just had a free pee & carried on!
So we ended up in tescos for a tankful of E10 as we didn't see any E5 there, then a coffee & bacon sarnie, then went to JoG for more coffee & pictures etc. Called in the distillery, but didn't have a sample due to plod in attendance, but bought a bottle for sampling later.
Left there & went to Durness lighthouse which for those who don't know, is the most northern lighthouse on the mainland. Nice proper ice cream there too - none of that whippy stuff that Richard prefers!!! 
Left there & now at the Weigh Inn at Scrabster 'til tomorrow then to Ullapool via Durness, Lochewe and several other places that I'll tell you about later.

K'inell - buses!!!

JoG signpost + Wizzy

Dunrobin - or have they?

Dunnett Head lighthouse + 1 big boat!

[Alan H]

More pics......

More JoG signs

Sigpost at JoG

Castle exit!

Another shut castle

The intrepid two - plus bikes.

[Scotch750]

Not been bad at all Scotch - except riding from home to just South of Glasgow in a strong head/sidewind in a peesing heavy downpour.

Today we set off from Alness and was going to call at the Glenmorangie distillery, but the forecast was for rain after dinnertime, so we went straight to Wick which was mainly shut...
We did pop in at Dunrobin Castle for a coffee & pee, but it was £14 to get to the canteen, so we just had a free pee & carried on!
So we ended up in tescos for a tankful of E10 as we didn't see any E5 there, then a coffee & bacon sarnie, then went to JoG for more coffee & pictures etc. Called in the distillery, but didn't have a sample due to plod in attendance, but bought a bottle for sampling later.
Left there & went to Durness lighthouse which for those who don't know, is the most northern lighthouse on the mainland. Nice proper ice cream there too - none of that whippy stuff that Richard prefers!!! 
Left there & now at the Weigh Inn at Scrabster 'til tomorrow then to Ullapool via Durness, Lochewe and several other places that I'll tell you about later.
IMG_20230725_103635.jpg
IMG_20230725_135339.jpgIMG_20230725_103410.jpgIMG_20230725_151229.jpg

Wuh,
Yow meant Dunnet head lighthouse.
Been all round there on me kettle. Mek sure to fill up..no petrol till Laxford Bridge ! (one pump on it's own, well back in '94 !).
Try The Morefield restaurant in Ullapool if you like fish. Say hello to me mom, ashes scattered in the bay !!