Euro-Feejer
Well-known member
UK North: Over 1200 miles, including England's Lake District, Scottish countryside, and a few other things along the way.
[Disclaimer: Lots of photos, as my lovely pillion is getting good at shooting as we fly through the countryside and villages of
Great Britain. Stopped at quite a few historical sites, but won't clutter this report with many photos of walking around the grounds
and buildings of estates, castles, etc. Most of the photos in this report are along roads traveled]
First, the trip summary chart:
The route was a bit broad to consolidate on a few pages (many of the scenic by-ways disappear when zooming out to that level), so if
you're interested, I can Email you a PDF of the 10-page route file. We only took motorways (freeways) when necessary, and many roads
were ones recommended by "The Best Rides" atlas for the UK.
The destination for the first weekend was the annual rally for the CMA. Grandma turned 50 recently, and misses her grandson across
the pond in KY, so every opportunity to cuddle cute little critters is welcome.
We had a light rain the day we rolled into Huddersfield, but the rest of the trip was dry and pleasant (except for one day we toured
with friends in their car to Culross, Scotland). Here are a few backroad scenes around Huddersfield.
After the weekend, we headed northward with a detour through some narrow roads in the Lake District of England.
This village (Hawkshead) made for a nice stop, as the cottage where Beatrix Potter lived is here.
More views as we roll through the Lake District
A higher and more rugged part of the Lake District.
3 More rolling views of the Lake District
One of the few longer (about an hour) slab stretches into Scotland... the motorway had some pleasant views
Leaving the motorway, we took backroads the rest of the day (next 5 photos).
The day after arriving at our base for the week (cottage rented by and shared with friends), a forest hike was a nice break from the
saddle. I had to include this next photo because whenever the little lady is asked where she's from, her "California" reply is
always qualified by "North", followed by "I'm a tree-hugger".
View of Linlithgow (20 miles west of Edinburgh). Our cottage is where you see a white spot (building) in the hills just above and to
the right of the palace.
An engineering wonder -- the Fallkirk Wheel -- lifts one canal boat while lowering another... saves many little locks.
Countryside looking over the top of the Fallkirk Wheel.
More scenery near Linlithgow
Looking toward Edinburgh... the Fourth Road Bridge over the Firth of Fourth
A day-loop across Scotland to the coast south of Glasgow
Entering the coastal town of Ardrossen, the Isle of Arran appears in the far distance.
The beaches of Ardrossen are known as some of the nicest in the country
After visiting relatives in Ardrossen for the day, our twilight journey back to Linlithgow begins (next 2 photos)
Edinburgh is a beautiful city. We considered motorcycling the 20 miles there, but took the train instead. A good dose of this city
can be absorbed hiking around for 5 or so hours... 3 sample photos follow
The longest stretch of our journey homeward begins. 10 hours in the saddle (plus breaks) was worth it, as the most beautiful routes
are far from busy motorways, and angle eastward through peaceful countryside.
At the border and beyond, we enjoy the Northumberland National Park.
A side-trip to Hadrian's Wall... the remains of a fortress appear on the hilltop
One downside of mid-journey tourist stops... hiking in riding gear a mile (round-trip) to see the fortress ruins at Housesteads
This is the site where Hadrian's Wall is the most intact and visible
Thankfully, we were able to leave our helmets at the entry office... one less thing to carry on the hike
The journey onward... southward towards Mildenhall (near Cambridge). Our final 7 photos posted follow, shot as we rode
That's all the photos... After an overnight near Mildenhall, we took the most direct route the last 3 hours home (scenery from the
motorways was not strikingly photographic enough to include here).
[Disclaimer: Lots of photos, as my lovely pillion is getting good at shooting as we fly through the countryside and villages of
Great Britain. Stopped at quite a few historical sites, but won't clutter this report with many photos of walking around the grounds
and buildings of estates, castles, etc. Most of the photos in this report are along roads traveled]
First, the trip summary chart:
The route was a bit broad to consolidate on a few pages (many of the scenic by-ways disappear when zooming out to that level), so if
you're interested, I can Email you a PDF of the 10-page route file. We only took motorways (freeways) when necessary, and many roads
were ones recommended by "The Best Rides" atlas for the UK.
The destination for the first weekend was the annual rally for the CMA. Grandma turned 50 recently, and misses her grandson across
the pond in KY, so every opportunity to cuddle cute little critters is welcome.
We had a light rain the day we rolled into Huddersfield, but the rest of the trip was dry and pleasant (except for one day we toured
with friends in their car to Culross, Scotland). Here are a few backroad scenes around Huddersfield.
After the weekend, we headed northward with a detour through some narrow roads in the Lake District of England.
This village (Hawkshead) made for a nice stop, as the cottage where Beatrix Potter lived is here.
More views as we roll through the Lake District
A higher and more rugged part of the Lake District.
3 More rolling views of the Lake District
One of the few longer (about an hour) slab stretches into Scotland... the motorway had some pleasant views
Leaving the motorway, we took backroads the rest of the day (next 5 photos).
The day after arriving at our base for the week (cottage rented by and shared with friends), a forest hike was a nice break from the
saddle. I had to include this next photo because whenever the little lady is asked where she's from, her "California" reply is
always qualified by "North", followed by "I'm a tree-hugger".
View of Linlithgow (20 miles west of Edinburgh). Our cottage is where you see a white spot (building) in the hills just above and to
the right of the palace.
An engineering wonder -- the Fallkirk Wheel -- lifts one canal boat while lowering another... saves many little locks.
Countryside looking over the top of the Fallkirk Wheel.
More scenery near Linlithgow
Looking toward Edinburgh... the Fourth Road Bridge over the Firth of Fourth
A day-loop across Scotland to the coast south of Glasgow
Entering the coastal town of Ardrossen, the Isle of Arran appears in the far distance.
The beaches of Ardrossen are known as some of the nicest in the country
After visiting relatives in Ardrossen for the day, our twilight journey back to Linlithgow begins (next 2 photos)
Edinburgh is a beautiful city. We considered motorcycling the 20 miles there, but took the train instead. A good dose of this city
can be absorbed hiking around for 5 or so hours... 3 sample photos follow
The longest stretch of our journey homeward begins. 10 hours in the saddle (plus breaks) was worth it, as the most beautiful routes
are far from busy motorways, and angle eastward through peaceful countryside.
At the border and beyond, we enjoy the Northumberland National Park.
A side-trip to Hadrian's Wall... the remains of a fortress appear on the hilltop
One downside of mid-journey tourist stops... hiking in riding gear a mile (round-trip) to see the fortress ruins at Housesteads
This is the site where Hadrian's Wall is the most intact and visible
Thankfully, we were able to leave our helmets at the entry office... one less thing to carry on the hike
The journey onward... southward towards Mildenhall (near Cambridge). Our final 7 photos posted follow, shot as we rode
That's all the photos... After an overnight near Mildenhall, we took the most direct route the last 3 hours home (scenery from the
motorways was not strikingly photographic enough to include here).
