Pie man

I was gonna go for a ride. I have an 8pk of loo role, anyone want to swap for a gallon of unleaded

And thats only the beginning I dread to think what I've spent over the years on bikes, clothing and accessories.

Been out early today (grass roots football) drove past 3 petrol stations, all the bogroll brigade are out, sad fookin petrol w**kers

Johnny 5 is no longer alive, he has been turned into a fugly TFT display.

Had a little chuckle to myself - I wondered if you were staying in the Mariners Hotel in Lyme Regis.

Good Luck, I hope it all goes well for you.

Anyone venturing to Motorcycle Live this year 4th - 12th Dec 2021.

Is that meant to be a stereotypical biker - Well done the BBC

To be fair those twats shouldn't be driving. On my daily commute I must capture at least half a dozen people a day using their phone while driving, and the number of vehicles that go through traffic lights on red is endless.

Why do you ask, @Howlinmadian I'm down the road in the land of Lobbies

Mileage for the trip Day 1. 290 Day 2. 278 Day 3. 203 Day 4. 241 Day 5. 210 Total mileage 1222

I usually undo and take things to pieces - I usually end up saving weight, especially with the bits I have left over

I can see that, I thought the location of them was a bit Sh1t.

The Following morning I head off out through Inverness, didn't bother to stop anywhere. I made my way to the Cairngorms. Passing through Grantown-on-Spay, Tomintoul, Braemar etc, a fantastic route I have travelled several times before however today it was a pea-souper. I didn't see that many motorhomes or bikers heading over the Cairngorms. I fuelled up at Braemar - the petrol station attendant was friendly enough, we chatted for a while, I had a coffee and we were talking about where I was heading, a truck driver called in and said if you're heading towards Perth its pishing it down. Oddly enough it stayed dry for me all the way until I reached Moffat. On my way to Moffat my Sat-nav had a wobbler and I ended up in some right glamourous places Not I did manage to take a snap of the Kelpies I continued through the concrete jungle until I was out on the roads to Moffat and enjoyed a leisurely ride to my overnight stop. My accommodation in Moffat was great, it was the kind of place that even had an hot & Cold running urinal in the room (only Joking). The following morning I packed up and headed south taking the A&B roads over Shap until I hit Lancaster then it was motorway all the way home. Until the next one.....................

I pass through Ullapool, only stopping to fuel up, having been so many times before I sometimes don't see the point in stopping there. I fuel up with E5 and head of for Marybank. I take a few snaps on the road out of ullapool.

I have crossed this bridge at least half a dozen times and never bothered to stop. After leaving the bridge I head off towards Ullapool however I take a right turn and head for Lochinver. The place was rammed with tourists In Lochinver there is a pie shop. so without hesitation I joined the very long queue for a Pie. (Two Pies and a can of coke £14.) I dined on the carpark where I ended up talking to a nice fella and his wife who were on an organised tour, I had followed them for some miles but we had taken different routes to the Loch. We chatted for a while, an old local stopped and joined in, I have met some nice and friendly people on this trip. I only ate one pie and saved the other for later

After breakfast I went for a short walk and could see the Stromness-Scrabster ferry just docking, lovely blue sky this morning, I walk back and gather all my belongings and head off along the coastal road. I wondered if you could still get fuel from those pumps. (Ullapool & Moffat peterol stations still had E5) all the Gleaner ones where E10) I headed off following the coast to the Kyle of Tongue crossing, there is a couple of parking lay-bys on the crossing, I stop to take a picture and ended up talking to a old retired Scotsman (reminded me of uncle albert from Only Fools) he was staying on the crossing in his motorhome and had been there for two weeks. not surprising really as the views are spectacular. I wish him well and set off for the Kylesku Bridge. Taking a couple of scenic snaps along the way.

Smoo Cave. When I was last there in 2019 I had the place to myself, this year you couldn't get on any of the carparks for motorhomes.

I headed back to my accommodation, a few more bikes had arrived. I got talking to the Africa Twin owner for a while, nice fellow from the Blackpool area, they were heading south. It was time for food, I had the pollo funghi and two pints of Tennents finest and then off to bed. to be continued

I took to top road to JOG. I arrived around 6pm, not much there, this was just a box ticking exercise. From there I headed to Dunnett Head - Plenty of midges too. I noticed a MOD station between JOG and Dunnet Head. You can just see the golf ball above my tank bag. Must be a big employer in the region. The coast starts to get interesting from there onwards.

After I visited the tourist shops, bought the obligatory fridge magnet and some fudge, I set off North yet again. I headed up the east coast, supprisingly the A9 was quiet. I wish I had stopped at Urquhart Castle, sadly I didn't. I carried on up through Inverness and I rode through Helmsdale (enough said). The east coast has some fantastic views of the sea When I got to Latheron I followed the A9 to Thurso. I headed straight to my accommodation, off loaded all my luggage and then headed off to JOG. This was the view from my digs.

I can see why, its quite an attractive unusual place, very picturesque.

To be continued. .......

Whilst travelling to the ferry I stopped for a butty in Farlie, I called into Michelles takeaway, there is ample parking there, a local delivery driver came over for a chat, he was saying he was looking forward to getting away for a week on his bike soon, he mentioned about heading south. I couldn't understand that one I was also chatting to a fella and his wife at the Commando memorial, they were just having a ride out in the car for the day, they said they usually tour Europe on their bike. Anyhow I set off and headed up to Fort Augustus, stopping to watch the boats go through the locks on the Caledonian. Bike park for free, cars get half an hour free before having to pay.

The ferry is a good alternative if heading up through Dumfries and Galloway,, its a nice road from Dunoon although there were plenty of road works. I will add day 2 part two next. When the sun starts to shine