With so many of us longing for longer distance travel options and with restrictions still in place for both EU and non EU entry and exit, let alone the changing dynamic of return to the UK – domestic trips are the answer. In November I was able to return to Scotland (still deep in area by area lockdown) and toured a little of the West coast (avoiding the NC 500) and the wild beauty of the highland uplands. After meandering up the A82 and missing my ferry for Skye, like many I chose the “long way round” and the 836 and one of my favourite roads via the River Tirry. Scotland has some amazing roads, fantastic food and lovely wild camping spots – reminded me of Norway in places and with lockdown continuing into 2021, I will be back this November.
Tag Archives: Jupiter’s Traveller
Which bike do you wish you had not sold?
I’ll kick this one off… my low milage minter R1150GSA – apparently now living and being used in Portugal.
Overland Event
I was lucky enough to join Paddy and his team supporting Metal Mule at the Overland Event in September. The event is not just another bike rally as nearly all the presenters are either published authors, have written for Overland Magazine (that includes me), or are film makers. Paddy describes the event as an “immersive experience that has a uniquely relaxed atmosphere” — and he is right. It was a relaxing but frenetic September break and Paddy delivered a varied agenda with motorcycle travel at its heart. There was food, drink, and music from around the world, and hundreds of riders with stories to tell, motorcycle test rides, historic and modified travel motorbikes on show, specialist equipment vendors, author presentations and workshops. I had my XT660Z and R1150GSA on show, much beer was drunk, many friendships renewed, the bands were great and where else can you get woken up to the sound of a travelling accordion player.
What’s keeping me going?
I realised recently that I had not posted here for 17 months — it’s been a difficult two years for many people and I don’t know anyone who has not been touched by the impact of Covid… we have lost three friends and family members to this disease and now in the summer of 2021, it feels like we may be coming out of the restrictions and some sense of normality is returning. Recently I dug out my passport, applied for my official Welsh Covid vaccination certificate, and dusted off my currency cards and eastern European maps and have been planning for 2022. I have lots of people to be thankful for, friends, colleagues, my three lovely children, their partners and a beautiful granddaughter and wife. Life in the Overland Workshop has been great distraction, bikes may have low annual milages but are ready to spring into long distance action when called up… and I have rediscovered the delight of local one day trips. Stay safe all, see you on the other side xx
Reflections on solo travel
One of the luxuries of solo travel is not worrying about knowing where you are, I might never be truly lost, I always have the choice of a left or right turn and sometimes stopping and looking back is all that is required to get exceptional clarity on life – being dwarfed by nature often puts things into perspective.