All done.
Page down the blog until you come to the picture of the thistles. Click on that and that should take you to my Flickr album.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Monday, 13 August 2018
The Stats
You know you love stats. I'll save you the number of pints or baked beans I had this time round and concentrate solely on the bike stats.
Total distance covered: 1897.8 miles
Number of Gallons used: 35.89
Number of litres used: 163.17
Average Miles per Gallon: 53.75
Average Miles per Litre: 11.82
Total Fuel Cost: £211.35
Average Cost Per Mile: 0.11p
Ginny's pence per mile figure varied between 0.09p and 0.13p. Not surprisingly, given the nature of the beast, she produces better figures on those long motorway runs with the cruise control set. The autobahns are what she was built for but she was more than capable of tackling the twisty and mountainous single track roads in the highlands, she was just a little more thirsty doing it.
All in all, the weather was pretty kind, though if I'd gone 2/3 weeks earlier, as a couple of people told me, I could have left the waterproofs packed away. I'd gone prepared, so although it was a tad unpleasant at times, it was never persistent heavy rain, so I never got despondent. A big plus for me and Ginny, was the distinct lack of midges. I did encounter some and they were a bit of a pain but nothing like I had anticipated. I'm glad I didn't splash out on one of those bee keeper hats, let's put it that way.
I've said this already but the west side of Scotland, the first part of my tour, is far better than the east. The scenery is simply breathtaking in places and just beautiful in most. I said after the tour last year, Norway is like Scotland on steroids. The landscape in Scotland is very similar, though not quite as high. On the plus side, the western highlands are a lot easier to get to and a damned sight cheaper!
If I was thinking of doing the NC500 again, I'd probably cut out the eastern side and either ride clockwise to Thurso and come back over the central highlands or most likely, turn around at Thurso and do the west coast bit in reverse.
Given that this is billed as Scotland's answer to Route 66, it is surprising that there are only two (that I saw) signs along the route to tell you you are on the NC500. Those I believe were put up privately by businesses or the village. You can buy maps and souvenirs at garages and tourist info but other than that those responsible for Scotland's roads, don't seem to have embraced the idea, as those along Route 66 have. Maybe it's early days, maybe they think a free map is more appropriate. I'm just glad I had tomtom programmed.
Speaking of tomtom, you may recall a day where she appeared to go loopy, telling me to turn into almost every lay-by I came across. The following days were all perfect, so I think it must've had something to do with me removing the whale watching stop and entering the deer museum.
Anyway, I think that's your lot. I hope you've enjoyed coming on this tour with me. If you have any comments, then feel free to make them. I like to know people are actually reading my posts. I'll be looking to get some photos uploaded asap, so you can come back one more time to check them out and don't forget, I'll be blogging (already am) again next year, for the Wild Hogs tour of Portugal & Spain. Make sure you sign up for email updates of that one.
www.whespana19.blogspot.com
Total distance covered: 1897.8 miles
Number of Gallons used: 35.89
Number of litres used: 163.17
Average Miles per Gallon: 53.75
Average Miles per Litre: 11.82
Total Fuel Cost: £211.35
Average Cost Per Mile: 0.11p
Ginny's pence per mile figure varied between 0.09p and 0.13p. Not surprisingly, given the nature of the beast, she produces better figures on those long motorway runs with the cruise control set. The autobahns are what she was built for but she was more than capable of tackling the twisty and mountainous single track roads in the highlands, she was just a little more thirsty doing it.
All in all, the weather was pretty kind, though if I'd gone 2/3 weeks earlier, as a couple of people told me, I could have left the waterproofs packed away. I'd gone prepared, so although it was a tad unpleasant at times, it was never persistent heavy rain, so I never got despondent. A big plus for me and Ginny, was the distinct lack of midges. I did encounter some and they were a bit of a pain but nothing like I had anticipated. I'm glad I didn't splash out on one of those bee keeper hats, let's put it that way.
I've said this already but the west side of Scotland, the first part of my tour, is far better than the east. The scenery is simply breathtaking in places and just beautiful in most. I said after the tour last year, Norway is like Scotland on steroids. The landscape in Scotland is very similar, though not quite as high. On the plus side, the western highlands are a lot easier to get to and a damned sight cheaper!
If I was thinking of doing the NC500 again, I'd probably cut out the eastern side and either ride clockwise to Thurso and come back over the central highlands or most likely, turn around at Thurso and do the west coast bit in reverse.
Given that this is billed as Scotland's answer to Route 66, it is surprising that there are only two (that I saw) signs along the route to tell you you are on the NC500. Those I believe were put up privately by businesses or the village. You can buy maps and souvenirs at garages and tourist info but other than that those responsible for Scotland's roads, don't seem to have embraced the idea, as those along Route 66 have. Maybe it's early days, maybe they think a free map is more appropriate. I'm just glad I had tomtom programmed.
Speaking of tomtom, you may recall a day where she appeared to go loopy, telling me to turn into almost every lay-by I came across. The following days were all perfect, so I think it must've had something to do with me removing the whale watching stop and entering the deer museum.
Anyway, I think that's your lot. I hope you've enjoyed coming on this tour with me. If you have any comments, then feel free to make them. I like to know people are actually reading my posts. I'll be looking to get some photos uploaded asap, so you can come back one more time to check them out and don't forget, I'll be blogging (already am) again next year, for the Wild Hogs tour of Portugal & Spain. Make sure you sign up for email updates of that one.
www.whespana19.blogspot.com
Day 11.3
Well, as expected the game didn't go well, Arsenal losing 2-0 in the end.
Getting away from the stadium wasn't quite as bad as expected and I was soon on a familiar route home, my commuting route.
I reached home about 19:20. Time to check in with 'er indoors!
Come back for some stats later.
Getting away from the stadium wasn't quite as bad as expected and I was soon on a familiar route home, my commuting route.
I reached home about 19:20. Time to check in with 'er indoors!
Come back for some stats later.
Sunday, 12 August 2018
Day 11.2
Stop for fuel at Sainsbury's somewhere in Derbyshire. Got myself a meal deal too. Waterproofs had been on since Buxton. I guess that's why they have all that spring water. Once on the M1 it was up to Ginny to do her stuff, which she does effortlessly. A few holdups on the way meant I walked into the Emirates Stadium with a few minutes to spare.
Half time we are a goal down. Might wish I'd gone straight home.
 |
| The Emirates Stadium |
Day 11.1
Just a short hop from Auntie's house is the AVRO Heritage Museum at Woodford. No time to pay a visit on this occasion, just some photos of Vulcan XM603 outside.
Saturday, 11 August 2018
Day 10.3
Lunch over with I was back on the road, gradually making my way through the dales and into Lancashire, the county of my birth. It wasn't long before the countryside slipped away and I was travelling through the industrial towns. Those then slipped by to be replaced by the M60. Once again Ginny could stretch her legs.
I arrived at my aunt & uncle's house about 16:00. Though a bit chilly before lunchtime, the weather had been pretty good, sunny for periods but happily, dry.
Tomorrow is the last leg of my journey. I have a couple of detours planned, one being to the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal v Man City. I'm expecting to reach home by 20:00.
 |
| Ginny enjoying a break in the Yorkshire Dales |
Day 10.2
Popped into Asda and got some lunch. Then it was back onto the M6 for another 40 miles or so. It's not all about Ginny's mile munching though, so I'm heading south through the dales and some tiny twisty roads again. Guess you can never see too many sheep!
Stopped on the hills for my sandwich, listening to the bleating. Quite peaceful, sunny and not too windy. Lots of bikers around these parts.
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