The Insanity Continues - BWTI the Sequel...

[Magnet]

Most sensible people (?) who went to Bordering With the Insane packed up and went home afterwards. Myself and HWMBO on the other hand, carried on northwards into Scotland for a week. It had been red hot all weekend, the bikes were covered in flies and we were riding in T-shirts. I had won a BMW neckwarmer in the raffle, which I threw into the bottom of my bag.

We went up past Kielder to Hawick and onto the A7 (on the advice of Johnny Boxer). Fantastic fast road and no traffic. After negotiating Edinburgh and some maniac drivers, we arrived at Auchterarder and pitched the tent.

Next day we set off through Crieff and Aberfeldy and round Loch Tummel. Scenery at Queen's View fantastic.

 

[Magnet]

From here the weather started to deteriorate, raining and quite cold. We followed the A83 over The Cairnwell to Braemar. Then across to Balmoral and over the tops to Colnabaichin. It was quite inclement by now. HWBMO apparently waving his arms about to keep warm...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Glad you enjoyed the A7 (good tip, eh)

So us the rest of your pics

 

[Magnet]

We carried on on a winding route to Charlestown and eventually rolled up in Grantown on Spey. By this time it was bloody freezing! I refused to camp and demanded a hotel and a curry. Both were delivered - a very nice bangladeshi brasserie on the main street

The next morning off through Inverness - we stopped at a lovely Tea Shop in North Kessock, just the other side of Inverness.

 

[Magnet]

A nice blast along the A835 to Ullapool, past Loch Broom on the way in, with some lovely empty roads (a theme developing here).

Pitched the tent and went for a walk round Ullapool, a bit chilly by now but a lovely evening. Nice meal in the Ferry Boat Inn on the quayside.

 

[Magnet]

By the time the sun went down it had become more than a bit chilly. I went to bed with several layers of clothes on, but woke up in the night freezing. I think it got down to 2 or 3 degrees. It was about 24 hrs before I got warm again. I recovered the neckwarmer from the bottom of my bag and wore it for the rest of the week.

Anyway - brilliant day this, probably my favourite. From Ullapool out on the A832 round the peninsula. Through Gairloch and stopped for lunch at Torridon. Stunning scenery and roads and the sun had come out

 

[Magnet]

From Torridon we carried on round the coast road to Applecross. I know people like the Applecross pass, but I liked this road better. It was narrow and twisty with great views and not much traffic (again).

We met 3 lads from Stafford in a lay-by (2 GSes and a V-Strom) they were staying at Applecross and told us there were wooden cabins with heaters at the campsite. No way the tent was coming out then!

After dinner at the campsite restaurant, which is very good, we went for a walk round Applecross and a couple of snifters at the Inn.

 

[Magnet]

Cold again overnight and we set off up the Applecross Pass. 3.5 degrees on the top and fresh snow. There was a Ducati abandoned near the top, which had obviously crashed, but I don't know the story behind it.

 

[Magnet]

From Applecross down through Lochcarron, typical tourist stop at Eilean Donan, Invergarry to Fort William. Then out onto the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

 

[Magnet]

This was a long ride and we were going to go back inland to camp. As luck would have it there was a hotel nearly at the end of the peninsula at Sonachan. Nicely refurbished with a bar and bistro. It would have been rude not to (Hotel is the white building in the middle).

Next day back along to the Corran Ferry via a very picturesque petrol station at Strontian.

 

[Magnet]

After this, things went downhill somewhat, the roads were really busy and it p****d it down all day.

Stayed in a B +B at Callander and the next day things looked up again, we met up with some friends from Sheffield IAM at Hadrians wall (including Micky, Norm and Stainy).

A great ride back home via Weardale and Teesdale.

All in all a great week, i'm knackered now, but it was worth it

 

[rickyxsara]

brilliant pics, thanks.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

After this, things went downhill somewhat, the roads were really busy and it p****d it down all day.

Stayed in a B +B at Callander and the next day things looked up again, we met up with some friends from Sheffield IAM at Hadrians wall (including Micky, Norm and Stainy).

A great ride back home via Weardale and Teesdale.

All in all a great week, i'm knackered now, but it was worth it

Looks a good trip, glad you enjoyed it

 

[Schtum]

Although Samye Ling is, in reality, some way from Hadrian's Wall......

 

[garfield]

fantastic RR and pics, thanks for sharing....


you will take great care in never mentioning the A7 ever again..... ......

 

[Ash]

cracking pictures

 

[freeloader]

Some great photos there, seems like you had a good week!

Good to meet you last weekend, albeit briefly (don't think I introduced myself - you were packing up to leave on Sunday when I wandered past).

 

[Magnet]

Hey, Schtum, nice to meet you (albeit briefly and mostly with a view of your bike in the distance ).

Story edited for the sake of brevity .

 

[Schtum]

Hey, Schtum, nice to meet you

Likewise, Ms Magnet......

 

[Micky]

Great report Fran .. superb piccies

We (Stainy, Norm and Ted) had spent the day with Schtum razzing round the Borders ... this is what he made me do trying to keep up

Thanks for a great day Mike

Then perchance we met you at the Monastery and we rode over to Lockerby and then back to Langholm together.... another great ride

Picture of my stand (F800GS) trying to keep up with Schtum