Scotland 2024

London to Helmsley 13 May 2024 (410kms)

Scheduled to meet at Road Trip at 8.45. It almost came off. Pete was rejected by his first uber call (I don’t do bags). He finally found someone to take his money & arrived using words not heard since the Glencoe Massacre.

After a tiresome list of instructions from Iain & Keith, concerned that we would be coming across shady types at every petrol station & hotel we stop at, and a lot of packing/repacking, we left at 10.30

Steve is dressed immaculately in the style of a French Impressionist artist so he is now officially the tour artist. He will be setting up his easel in spots during the tour to paint us.

Weather started grey but as the day went on the blue sky and white clouds doninated. About 21 degs.

The morning was tearing up freeway. The road was largely under repair. Trucks everywhere. Stopped for a very cozy lunch at the Langton Arms.

The afternoon provided some relief as we rode some meandering & winding roads into Yorkshire. The typical English countryside is upon us.

Steve has managed the mini like a pro given he is driving with one arm. He only got wrapped up in his technology a couple of times.

Arrived Helmsley at 4.30, Feathers Inn. Settled in….almost. Tour Leader Tony has a large room, thats good. Its adjacent to the boiler room. Thats bad. An email is shot off to the organisers & Tony receives a complimentary bottle of wine & a new room about the size of a shoe  box. Then drinks in the beer garden. Tonys leadership is acknowledged as exemplary given his system broke down. We identified one near fuckup but it was recovered.

Everyone seems happy with their bikes.

A wander around town before dinner. It was a 5 minute walk with everyone going in all directions but ending up with the same photos. We call this a comprehensive city tour.

Dinner at the Feathers tonight. We start with a drink outside in the square. Hydro almost lands a driving companion but she prefers to holiday with her mother. Dinner is a raucous affair (as described by the other patrons).