28/05/2008
Oban - Having to resort to prepaid internet access as wifi is unheard of in YHA's.

25/05/08
Met Dave Silburn on Sunday, sorry you couldn't make it Vic, and we merrily set off for the coast. Hit rain and spent most of day testing waterproofs, Draggin' Jeans Oilskins are not waterproof when subjected to continuous rain for several hours. Got lost on the peninsula but eventually found the road to Conwy. We encountered fallen trees, road closures and a twatnav diversion that sent us down a lane where we had to duck under overhanging trees and avoid rubble in the road from collapsing walls.

We parted on the outskirts and Dave made his way oop North to see his daughter and I checked in at the YHA. Great outlook over the castle and town but being half term full of school kids running amok. Had some generous offers of food from hostellers but was still stuffed from the fish and chip lunch Dave bought me - thanks Dave it was very welcome on a wet and windy day.

Monday 26/05/2008
Set off for Ingleton in the Lake District and once through Liverpool and the other sink holes on the coast had a very pleasant but extremely windy day. The YHA was a pain with a drunk teenager effing and blinding in his sleep half the night. Discovered a rash on my torso and arms that gradually got worse and guessed it was a reaction to the thermals I was wearing so left them off for the next leg.

Tuesday 27/05/2006
Off to Glenluce and it chucked it down with rain all day and still very windy, stopped in Carlisle to chew the fat with Peter off the Maxi Scooter Riders Club and bought some new thermals that are doing the job just fine, thanks Peter.

Went through some glorious forest roads and never saw a car for at least an hour and the smell of the pines was just wonderful. Finally got to the hotel/pub at 9pm, bloody long day and too late for a hot meal so had to make do with soup and a sandwich that the landlord rustled up, one of the best ham sandwiches I've ever tasted. Had a few pints of Big Lusty May and chatted with the locals. There was a fine array of single malts behind the bar but it really wasn't the time and place. The full Scottish Breakfast at the hotel was sublime and set me up for the day.

The rash started to fade so I guess it was the underwear.

I was in a sorry state physically with my right wrist giving me hell which I believe is an aftermath of the off in St Albans the other week. Was wondering if I was going to make the first week at one stage.


Wednesday 28/05/2008
Another wet start that lasted most of the day and cut out the South West peninsula, also left the coast for part of the route as it was pretty dire but the run up from Loch Lomand was pretty spectacular and the air was filled with the smell of Bluebells that were still in flower as the rain had eased a little the last hour and the leg was completed in the dry.

Will expand more when I don't have to pay and try and add some photo's too.

Pre trip service

Got the bike serviced on Tuesday, new tyres, belt and rollers all courtesy of Piaggio UK. Managed to get out of St Albans safely this time :)

I've had a back rest made but on a trip at the weekend discovered that the brackets are too flimsy but that will be sorted before I start. Just waiting for a gel pad to arrive and I've only packing left to do then.