Applecross and the Isle of Skye

Reach for your bucket list and write North Coast 500. I don’t care how you do it, just do it. Clearly the best way is by motorcycle … that’s a given. But if you can’t do it by motorcycle then a small car or camper (if you want to save money on accommodation). Just don’t…

North West Scotland … the start of narrow roads

We left Thurso under grey and drizzly skys this morning. While it was damp, it wasn’t wet enough to put on the wets. But it was wet (and cold) enough to use added caution when riding as the surface looked slippery. They tell me the roads get narrower from here on in, and by Betty Hill, they sure did.

Top of Scotland, then turn left.

I have to confess, I like the ‘Long Way …’ Round, Down, and Up series’ that Charlie and Ewan did all those years ago. I know the hard core adventure guys out there tisk tisk them, but what they did was open the eyes of many to the possibility. For me, they just fed my need for adventure, venturing out further, and going longer.

Around Inverness

Today we had an extra day in Inverness to be able to explore a few things further, such as the Cullodin battlefields and a ride around Loch Ness.

To Inverness via Charlie’s Country Cabin

Today’s destination is Inverness, only 200km via the old military road. So we have heaps of time to stop and look around.

Hello Scotland

The plan was to continue up the A1, skirt around Edinburgh and onto Perth where we are meeting up with Alain and Monica who are joining us on our ride.

While the motorway is a great way to get from A to B but we devised an alternative plan with more country roads and small towns.

Nearly Walking to Scotland

Well, that’s embarrassing. Both my debit and credit cards were declined when sorting out the rental insurance for the motorcycle this morning. In the end, Harry’s other grandad came to my rescue … it was looking like we were going to be walking 500 miles and maybe 500 more.

A Taste of Norway – part 2

Funny, having a drink in the back of the ship this afternoon looking out over Olden and the mountains through the back windows … Somehow, it just didn’t seem real. Like a postcard projected onto a green screen … okay, a very grubby green screen.

A Taste of Norway – part 1

With shows like Vikings, the interest in Vikings and that time period has really taken off recently. I’m fairly ignorant about the subject, and the only exposure I’ve had is from television showing them as ruthless sea-going warriors rading and pillaging other villages and countries for their own gain. So this trip to Norway 🇳🇴 is a great opportunity to gain some insight into not only Norway but also of Viking culture.

Flying Zombies

Walking into the foyer at our hotel was like a scene from a zombie movie … the lights were on, but no one was home. After travelling for 35 hours, we were shattered.!