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Monday, september 26 The counter at the beginning of my solo-trip to Scotland. I left the house at 13.15 and
took off. At the monument on the Afsluitdijk, I've taken a nicotie-break. Of course I've taken
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I was adressed by the man, that belonged to the Harley. He wanted to know where I was heading. Told him, to Inverness. He came from Inverness. So I mentioned Kingstreet. His son had lived there until 4 months ago. That is how long Ed and Marianne live there, so I asked, not on the corner of Balnainstreet, is it? He said: Yes. His son had sold the house to a Dutch couple and they had turned it into a B & B. We were talking about the same house, even the housenumber matched. Is that a coincidense??? |
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Another bike arrived, driven by a Dutch woman. She asked where I was going, I said up north to Inverness. She needed to go to Findhorn, so we decided to travel together. Then finally we could get boarded and tie up the bikes. Another 5 Harleys joined, from Ireland. Once at sea, the boat was quite rocky and many a toilet was flushed. Luckily, my stomach stayed well, but there was not a lot more needed. I slept untill 2 AM and was wide awake, so I decided to get dressed and have a cigarette. Met one of the Irishmen and we talked and smoked till after 3 AM. Then I turned in again and slept untill the intercom woke me up. |
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Tuesday, september 27 The Irishman was still sitting in the Columbusbar, asleep. I woke him up first, before going to have my breakfast. It was foggy, but dry. On arrival in New Castle, the sun came out. What a welcome. At 09.30 I pass customs and drive off with Heleen. Through New Castle she leads, through Edinburgh I lead. We have a break in Kinross at a servicestation. Have a coffee and a muffin and a short stay in the little girlsroom. Our next stop is in Newtonmore, the truckstop. The interior is completely changed. The corner where we used to eat every day in the first week, last year, has now tables and chairs. In the other part, the red benches are replaced by blue ones. I was recognised by one of the waitresses. |
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We continue our trip over the old A9, through Newtonmore and Kingussie and then take the new A9 again, where soon after Aviemore Heleen leaves me. It was a pleasure to travel with her. I was supposed to call Ed and Marianne, when leaving Newtonmore, but my phone refuses. So I drive to Inverness on my own. On Longman, I take the first turn, should have been the second. But soon there is another roundabout and I take the full circle, to get on track again. I arrive in Academystreet and since I have the lay-out of the centre of Inverness in my head, I soon drive up Kingstreet. |
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There is a warm welcome. So I take my luggage off and park the bike around the back. That evening they take me out for dinner. At the end of Balnainstreet, there is a bridge for pedestrians, which bounces as you walk. Through the rain that has fallen in the past few weeks, the river Ness is quite wild. That evening I get all the files from my mailbox and show to Ed and Marianne, what their website looks like so far. |
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Wednesday, september 28
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Today I have a day of rest. Drove 628 km in 2 days in very changing weather and although I sprayed my coat, it is not waterproof. So this afternoon I walk into the citycentre of Inverness and do some shopping, make some pictures. Passed by a cemetary and made some pics of the old gravestones, especially the ones with the celtic motifs on them. It is a day with a wee bit of sunshine and a lot of drizzle. A nice quiet day, could not hurt. Was quite dizzy this morning. |
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Thursday, september 29 This morning I left at about 9, into the direction of Fort Augustus. Stop on a layby near Loch Ness to make some pictures. The autumn-colours are not yet there. Everything is still green. Then I proceed to Fort Augustus. Always something to look around there, at the locks. The boats are pulled through the locks. There are 4 in a row. Then they have a better control, then with the engine. Made some pictures of course. |
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When the sun came through, I decided, to drive via Speanbridge and Newtonmore, to complete the tour around Loch Ness.
Just before Laggan, I really needed to get my rainclothes on. The last 100 km were quite cold, but I took a hot shower and washed my hair. Today I drove 230 km. Was back in Inverness at 2 PM. Scotland is sure different out of season. A lot of things are closed already. But if you are not afraid for wet tarmac, then you can have the time of your life. There are not that many leaves on the ground yet, otherwise I would be more careful as well.
I keep myself busy with AdAware on the laptop. I see that it is time to install this programm. It will make it much quicker. When Marianne returns home, the main computer is installed and we put AdAware on that as well. Now that the laptop is no longer on the internet, I don't have the possibility to update my website. Sathurday, october 1 The weather-predictions are not too good and there is a heavy wind. When Ed and Marianne go to the gym in the afternoon, which is next to the Floral Hall, I ride with them. We agree, that afterwards they will meet me in the coffee-shop of the Floral Hall, to have a coffee as well. When I come from the garden into the greenhouse, there are a number of people. A photographer, a bride and groom with his best man and some bridesmaids.
That evening we have our tea at an indonesian restaurant called "Rajah", across the river Ness. Sunday, october 2
Monday, october 3 Enjoyed a nice full scottish breakfast and just before 10, I leave the cottage on Kingstreet. Via Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus, Speanbridge, Fort William, Glen Coe and Tyndrum. In Tyndrum I go to the Green Welly shop, the outdoorshop, to get myself a waterproof bag. In the Green Welly Stop, I get material to tie it on the bike.
That evening I meet serveral forum-members of the Central Motorcycleclub. Just like last year. At 8 they go for the meeting and I get dressed for my way back to Crianlarich in the dark. It is about 60 miles and the first are on the A9, which is good. But then, you really have to concentrate. It is dark, but dry. The roads may be wet, but I'm not afraid of that. The last part from Lochearnhead on, there are a few straight stretches, so I can open the throttle. Because I'm nearly alone on the road, I can use my big headlight a lot. In total I drive 245 miles this day, 392 kms. Tuesday, october 4
Wednesday, october 5 There is a promise of good weather and I decide to spend some time in Oban. The road to Oban is still a patchwork-blanket, but I enjoy the ride nevertheless. In the city, I see that the 256 MB card of my camera is full, so I switch it for the 128 MB. On my way back, just before the power-plant of Struachan I make some pics of the scenery.
On my way back, I see already 9 miles before Tyndrum the stakes in the ground on both sides of the road. So the snow ploughs know where the road is in winter. I have a coffee in the Green Welly restaurant. In the parkinglot I have a chat with Derek from Fife. When I finally am ready to go, a yellow BMW 1000 from 1979 drives up the parking and starts talking to me. It is a certain John from Falkirk. Alltogether I got another 135 kms on the counter today. Thursday, october 6 At breakfast, I have a conversation with Roddy. He owns a hotel near Aviemore. After breakfast, John comes to tell me, to call Gordon and Sheila Webster back. I agree to meet them in Killin between 1 and 1.30. We drive to their house, so they can get changed into bikergear and then we go to have lunch in the Green Welly restaurant. On arrival in Killin, I make a few pics of the Falls of Dochart.
Gordon used to ride the same bike as Roel has, but bought a Pan European 1300 last year. A beauty in red. He is very pleased with it. After all, it seems to be a very busy day for them today and they do have little time. Since I have to fuell up again, we say goodbye in the parking lot. While putting my tankbag on, I get adressed to by another Scotsman. Rab owns a blue CBR 1100 XX, a Blackbird. Today I only drove 62 kms, but I am left with a good feeling. Friday, october 7
Sathurday, october 8
Zondag 9 oktober Gill has told Kenny of my presense and at 10, Kenny calls that there are only 3 bikers for the sundayrun of the "Forthriders" and they don't mind riding with us today. They come to pick Norrie and me up. They will be there within half an hour. So we get dressed. Never drove in "the borders" yet. First we drive to Hawick. At Morrisons we have a breakfast. Then we move on to Eskdalemuir, to the biggest Buddhist temple outside Tibet. We have some lunch there. Then we move on to Moffat, for a snack.
On our way back, from Moffat to Edinburgh, the leaves are all around us. Autumn has really set in now. With all those wet leaves on the road, one has to be more careful. Bikers won't be too eager for a sundayrun anymore. This day I drove 160 miles, 260 kms. Monday, october 10 I have to pack, got to catch the ferry by 16.45. So I leave at half past one from Porto Bello. When I leave the residential area, I first fuell up. Then I turn to the A1. It is very windy and it is quite a job to keep going. It is only 55 miles to Berwick upon Tweed. There I see that New Castle is another 67 miles. To distract myself from thinking. I start to calculate and know the number on the counter when I have to be on the lookout for signs of the ferry. Wrong. I've passed them already, by the time I pay attention. A while later, I return and then return again, to ask for directions. I feel terribly lost. On a layby there is a car and I park right in front of him. My mobile phone's battery is empty and I can't call myself. Alex Smith makes a call for me and hears that the ferry has already left. He makes the other call to book for tomorrow. I have to call before 8 pm, otherwise it is a whole new booking and I have to pay full price. I need to find a B & B. Then he calls to his wife, if the sofa is free that night. They are both bikers too. I am very welcome.
Tuesday, october 11
Wednesday, october 12 06.30. My leg has fallen to the ground. I'm rolling in my bed. When I switch the nightlight on, the curtain before the closet goes to and fro. I have a 4-person-cabin all to myself. Yet another 4 hours to go to IJmuiden. First a shower and getting dressed. All the clothes in the waterproof bag and other stuff in the tankbag. I go for breakfast at 7. While having breakfast, Marius joins me. He needs to go to Groningen and we decide to travel together. But first I have to get me some fuell for the bike. I've driven 320 km, 200 miles since I took full in Musselburgh. In Wieringerwerf we have our first break for a coffee and a fag. We decide to have another fag on the other side of the Afsluitdijk and say goodbye there. I drive over Bolsward and Marius too. Near Bolsward, Marius reaches out to me and I touch his hand as a last goodbye. Then he takes off and I leave the A-road, for another.
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