Strontain May 2015

Steve T

Well-Known Member
ADV Scotland Rally May 2015

And so it begins – big loaded and ready for the off – unlike its’ owner who is running around like the proverbial “blue arsed fly”, still trying to find this, that and a bit of the other.



And so, with the sun shining on the blessed (those that had a day off work and were going to attend a nice little gathering on the west coast), the blessed gathered and set forth westward on their chosen steeds. Taking a most circuitous route, the blessed wandered hither and thither along some marvellous Highland roads at a pace that allowed much “Owww”ing and “Ahhhh”ing at the passing scenery. Here we see the blessed discussing said scenery at a stop next to Loch Laggan.



After a cleansing wash in some of Scotlands finest downpours in and around Spean Bridge, the blessed continued on their pilgrimage, taking the road less travelled along the northern bank of the Caladonian Canal. In the vicinity of Fort William the steeds were allowed to take on refreshments, which allowed their riders to continue to the blessed place named “Sunart”, riding along the shores of Loch Eil and Loch Linnhe to get there. This picture shows the blessed catching a glimpse of the metropolis that is Fort William



After a most enjoyable perambulation, the blessed finally arrive at the appointed place named “Sunart”, to be greeted by many, many like minded pilgrims.
And so it came to pass that many of the following hours were spent by the thronged pilgrims in paying homage to the wonders of the internal combustion engine, when said engine is mounted between two wheels, with varying amounts of nominal “Bling” thrown in to suit individual tastes!

Saturday did it’s usual trick of following Friday, and the pilgrims set out to test the discussed topic of the previous evening – “Where you going tomorrow?”, closely followed by “Are there any rideouts”?
This is the place of Homage before many of the pilgrims had risen from morning prayers!



The “Chosen” had set the collective destination of “Follow Steve T”, and so south they rode, passing through Oban and then onto some more of those roads less travelled (they’ll be the ones with grit & sh1t all over them).
The first body of water encountered on said roads was chosen for a brief break, before heading off to find some more bodies of water to stare at!



Here we see the great “Lonesome Pine” , that much sung about tree . . . . but not the one in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. This one looks down on Loch Awe.



The loch itself



The loch and the bikes, all neatly aligned for that “arty” photograph



The blessed travelled the shores of Loch Awe south and then north, till the highlight of the day was upon them – Leachin Forest trail.
With much restraint, the blessed rolled onto said trail, leaving nothing but a dust cloud behind them. The following photo shows the vista that was to assault the eyes of those that had travelled a great distance to view it . . . . . once they’d cleaned the dust from their eyes of course!


Gratuitous shot of a very nice orange coloured variety of petrol burning machine, known to many as “a bike”.



The “Test by Dust” was concluded after a very enjoyable but brief 12 miles, and refreshments were in order to celebrate the event. Inverary was the nearest location to over such refreshments, so ride in the direction of Inverary the blessed did.
Here we see some of the pilgrims enjoying some much needed sustenance.


Some call me Steve, others call me a tight-wad – DIY brew and nibbles – that’s the future I tell you



Parked rather carelessly was this auld steamer that some might recognise from an ancient sketch show (it's the smaller of the two floating things!)



With the sun still blessing all with it presence, un-hindered by too many white fluffy things that drop water, the pilgrims began their return journey to the collective canvas cave encampment at Strontian.
Glen Arry was followed by Glen Orchy, were much water falling over rocks was observed. The assembled bikes acting as a road block as their riders inspect the falling water:





Yet another “arty” photo



Much more pleasurable riding was ridden , along Glen Coe as well as the Kinlochleven Loop, before the blessed mounted the final ferry trip of the day.



A huge TY to LWR for yet again gathering the brethren to prayers at the wonderful place that is Sunart camp site at Strontian. And for compiling the route that was ridden.

Likewise a huge TY to the sites owners for making a group of virtually total strangers so welcome.

Till we ride together again brothers and sisters

Steve T

:cool:
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Cheers Phil.

The bikes / bikers were my F650 Twin, an F800GS ridden by a former RAF collegue, a 650 Alp ridden by a local foot doctor, a Tiger 800XC piloted by eldest son and finally a TDM900 controlled by youngest son.

Steve T

:cool:

Edit - Phil, just noticed the time at which you posted! Is it your turn to put on the strap on "boobie"? :thumbsupanim:
 

Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
Cheers Steve,
No strap on boobie (or any other kind of strap on come to think of it) but the little fella beds down 11 is & starts murmering 5-5.30 ish so can't complain really, I always feel I should 'be there' for morning feed, if I get a mo, I try to get a sneek at what's been happenin' in the real world ;)
 

Lowflyer

Well-Known Member
Brilliant Steve :thumbsup:

Nice photo of the green machine there :D thank god my home made panniers didn't leak on the way home :cool:

Big thanks to Rick and Raymo for the excellent craic whilst touring about Mull, if any off you guys have'nt been there, strongly recommend that you do. Rick took us on some great roads that even I had never been on :thumbsup:

Oh guys, the island with the big hoose on it is Inch Kenneth and the house belonged to a English aristocrat who fancied Hitler :rolleyes2:

Steve, that photo on the ferry is on the way over you muppet :lol:
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Lowflyer said:
Steve, that photo on the ferry is on the way over you muppet :lol:
Correct . . . . and as I say in the post, "the final ferry trip of the day" ie on our way back to camp :rolleyes2: ;)

Thanks for the kind comments peeps :thumbsup:

Steve T

:cool:
 
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