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A trip to Scotland by motorcycle with the lads.

Scotland With The Lads 2005

Renwithnell
2005-09-26 17:15:51

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envious of 2 Germans in thier mobile home, sipping hot drinks whilst dry and warm and admiring the scene through thier plastic windows.

Again the talk is of fast roads and sweeping bends so I decide to head out alone once more to travel at my own sedate pace. I head south again in the rain for another 40 mile trip to Tarbert. Again the roads are twisty and I'm starting to get my wet weather head on. I'm starting to enjoy powering the bike out of bends and controlling the back end slides. Tarbert is yet another harbour town set in another natural bay. Again there are the white houses and bungalows along with cafes and hotels. No matter how beautiful this place is, it is all starting to look the same.

I head back north and take the B841 signposted to Crinan. I notice I'm following a canal with locks everywhere. At the far end of this canal is Crinan. The canal is a short cut from the Loch Fyne, a sea loch, to the Sound Of Jura which is the start of the Atlantic Ocean. I stop and watch the locks fill and empty and boats pass through in calmness and tranquility.

I head for the BnB. I arrive back before the lads so I shower to warm up and hang my sodden bike gear up in the bathroom. This of course creates a small paddling pool. When that lads arrive back the talk is of the weather, the forecast tomorrow is more of the same. After much deliberation it's decided to cut the trip short and return home tomorrow instead of Saturday. I contact the gf and she seems keen to see me, it's nice to feel wanted. So I decide to go home too.

Whilst out the lads learnt from a local to avoid the Star of India...a bit too late really. But she did recommend the Italian on the harbour front, so we dined there that evening. And a good reccomendation it was too. Everything was eaten, with starters and desserts. All were happy and well fed. We again go to the Oban Inn and endulge in conversation and drinks. I'd like to mention the locals but there were more Australian, Canadian and American accents in the Oban Inn than Scottish ones. Again being a boring old teetotal I retire early but my roommates were not far behind me.

Day 5

Nothing exciting to report here really. Get up, get dressed, eat breakfast and load up was what we did. I set off at 9ish and started the long ride home. Again I stop every 40 to 60 miles and make simple basic headway back south for 300 miles. I arrived at Rivi to find I and M there before me, T and K arrive only a short while after. All done, all home safe, and a cup of tea at Rivi ended the holiday.

I loved the trip, would not have missed it for the world. The western coast and islands of Scotalnd are quite beautiful and impressive. There is water everywhere, every road runs alongside the coast or another massive Loch. And there seems to be an excess of water in the skies too, but do not let that put you off, just be prepared. The roads seem to be designed to get you moving along with the minimum of fuss and traffic is not too heavy. And the space. Where I live you cannot travel for more than 5 or 10 miles before you come across another town with traffic lights and hectic junctions. Up there all towns seem to be 30 to 50 miles apart with only occasional junctions. Be careful to fill up your tank as often as possible though, it would be very easy to run out between places. As for nightlife, Oban is not really for the mad for it generation. We did not see it at the weekend, I'm sure it could be quite good then. During the week you will find company, not great excitement. Go to Scotland, you'll love it.