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Good afternoon everyone, It's coming close too 1 year since my dad passed, time has flown by very quickly. I thought it'd be good to quickly reply to some questions i've gotten either through here or on FB / Whatsapp. 1) The funeral was small, it was only myself and Ali in the end, due to Spain typically having a funeral with-in 2 days of the passing it was all done very quick and suddenly. 2) I got to see Pete in hospital the day before he passed, he seemed to be recovering well, so it was indeed a shock that he passed the following morning as i was arriving to visit him again. 3) I've taken over his business and also the forum for the time being, so things will still continue to be online for the foreseeable future. 4) Ali is doing as well as could be expected, she's still living in Spain but it's going alright. 5) I'm not planning any public service or remberance for Pete this coming year, there's still a lot on-going, but i appreciate all the love / support from everyone. Please do continue to take care of the forum and yourselves, i do come to check-in on things from time to time. Best regards, Scott - Petes youngest Son (Living in The Netherlands)

Just got notified yesterday that I'm gonna be a Great Grandparent this coming October... here's my oldest Grandson's 1st view of his future riding partner...that he already has a bike in the waiting for the little guy...

I wanted to ride the Lammermuir Hills as it has been a while and the last time was well before I fitted the new shocks. I headed over some nice twisty country roads and through Duns before turning off and heading for Longformacus and up into the hills. Miles of single track roads with little traffic and a few cattle grids and many sheeps. This was looking back from where I had come from. This was where I was headed. The views were spectacular as always. That is Watch Water Reservoir in the distance.

We were sleeping near Albufeira, which is the most benidorm style place in Portugal, all sorts of Thai massage parlors, Curry restaurants, Irish pubs advertising premier league matches on the TV, all day long full English and "big boy full English breakfast", the pits! Gammons (Pete mode: on!) were dragging their knuckles crossing the street, etc I took Sofia around these roads, not really motorcycling greatness, but still interesting to see if you're from Portugal and don´t know this region. Albufeira, viewed from a not very flattering viewing point : Stopped by Alfufeira's Marina, and was surprised to see all the new houses, all these with bright colors were built after the last time I was here, back then (almost 20 years ago) it was just a proper Marina with almost nothing built near it. Now it's ugly as hell: Sofia was pillion on the GS today, not too keen on riding the Speed Triple on boring slow streets and almost urban style traffic. Another small beach, Olhos de Água: And another, access to these beaches is very crowded in the summer, can't park anywhere and it's an absolute chore to get here, unless you really are sleeping within walking distance or have a motorcycle: To end her exposure to the most british oriented part of Portuguese tourism, we ended the morning with a spot of lunch in Vilamoura's Marina. I enjoy a walk around a proper marina, although I do prefer a smaller one with a diverse more authentic sailboats from all around the world, the marina in Vilamoura is where I remember my parents sometimes bringing me and my brother for a walk after dinner when holidaying in the cheaper places around, we'd come here to posh things up Now it is less fancy and most of the shops and establishments have lost some class, but it's still a nice place to visit in the off season. The sun made an appearance so all was instantly looking better too. Getting in the spirit of it, we had lunch in Pizza Hut: After a little shopping for Sofia's birthday present, we carried on heading to a supermarket in search of supplies for the next few days, and in the spirit of the area I took her to Food & Co, which is a British enclave sort of supermarket . Everything inside is from the UK, all the staff is primarily an English speaker, and the groceries and food is completely not what you find in a Portuguese shop. The prices are adequately increased too, to make up for feeling at home while living away. We ended up buying almost nothing there, and moved on, back at home and had a quiet dinner by ourselves. Next morning, breakfast was had enjoying the great weather we were now having, still too cold to go in the swimming pool but it was very nice outside for the time of year. The morning was dispatched with no hurries, proper lazy style living. It was a saturday so I had no calls or work, and eventually we made it to Faro to meet a friend for a snack and talk, about 45 minutes away. Both him and Sofia are members of the Triumph Owners Club in Portugal so there was lots of talking about Triumphs and meetings and stuff. I used to spend a lot of time in the beach in Faro, and love coming here. It was an uneventful day, nice to just relax and sit down talking. Next day we went and met another friend of Sofia's, she lives in a very posh area near Faro, Vale do Lobo. Vale do Lobo is mostly villas with manicured gardens and quiet streets, it's more or less detached from reality and a retreat for people with money, property values there are quite expensive but end up being closed and empty for most of the year. We had a little snack with a view to the ocean, and Sofia and Sharon were very happy to spend time with each other. The next day, we set of to Tavira region, East of Faro, hoped on the motorway to get there in time for a late morning espresso, but first stopping in Santa Luzia. We stopped by a 2000 year old olive tree, it's quite impressive to think the same tree was alive though the Romans and Arabs. The weather was amazing. A brief stop by the sea, and someone went to some efforts for a BOTM attempt: Stop in Santa Luzia for a coffee and a little walk by the sea and to enjoy the great sunshine, even though it wasn't that warm. After a light snack in Cabanas de Tavira, we headed back home. Returning home was done the long way around via one of the nicest roads in Portugal. We crossed paths a herd of new Transalps and NC750, both groups coming the other way in quite tight formation. They were clearly journalists, and indeed I now heard they are launching these two new bikes here, if you check MCN or similar channels on YouTube you'll surely see these bikes being ridden there. The Algarve is being discovered by the motorcycling industry as having nice roads and nice weather most of the time. I will keep an eye out to see if we appear on any of these videos We stopped briefly, to enjoy the view from top of the hills. We stopped by the supermarket to buy some fish, and made it back home during an amazing sunset. Just in time for a shower and for our friend João to arrive with some nice wine in time for dinner.

@boboneleg... he comes across as a cunt all the time

Yesterday

As planned a trip out on the old mountain bike this morning, covered about 35klms which isn’t a massive distance but about 80% of it was on dirt or gravel tracks and it takes its toll on my old bones! Set off about 0830 and the weather was ideal as it was cool(ish) and hazy but by the time I’d got home it was 34.5 Celsius in the shade……quite enough thankyou. Found an old railway station that sits on the Linea Verde close to me, falling apart, covered in graffiti and a bit spooky to be honest……..Pete would’ve loved it. Took a couple of photos for the old twat in case he drops in here to keep an eye on the place! Standing at the station and thinking about Pete made me feel a bit sad actually but then I thought he’d probably call me a cockney wanker and it made me grin. Stopped at the pub before heading home…….because I could.

Look at his droopy chops, fucking saliva everywhere I bet. The poor dog must have been embarrassed to be seen with him.

So after church yesterday I decided on a run down to Moffat and St. Marys Loch, I was going to get something to eat at the loch but after a spirited run down the A701 stretching the limits of the bikes new handling I was ready for a break, luckily the excellent Moffat chippy was open so I was able to have some gourmet food for lunch. After this I headed off to St. Marys Loch, the sheep have been sheared now so they are super chilled and don't give a hoot about traffic at all, they are spending the day licking the salt off the road and scaring unsuspecting motorists and bikers, no worry for me as I grew up in a farming community. There were a lot of bikes out, the Scottish countryside of course did not disappoint. You can see some sort of dry stone ring on that picture, I took a closer look but left it alone, probably witches or a sheep brothel. There was quite a lot of water running down from the tops. Pretty sure this sheep's buddy was dead, it still had wool and looked like it was victim of a fall, it is Scotland so it was probably drunk and fell down the hill while staggering home, nature will reclaim it. Fred would still shag it. Anyway I got down to the Loch which was busy with bikes, swimmers and canoes. This is actually Low Loch, St. Marys Loch proper is a little further along, there were a big group of young riders there which was good to see, it was funny listening to them, I was stood with a guy who was on a Multistrada, same age as me and we were laughing as the kids were talking the same BS that we did when we were that age, maybe biking does have a future. There were loads of wank panzers with all the accessories and all with intact chicken strips, ridden by middle aged fat lads trying to recapture their lost youth before going home to put those shelves up the wife has been nagging them about. After a cigar, I headed east through the valley towards Selkirk and then explored some roads I hadn't ridden before on the way back to Edinburgh, did about 140 miles, the weather was braw as you can see.

Please except my sincere apologies.....ark at me going off all posh ....truth is I'd forgotten I was part of this illustrious group of gentlemen....by gum av gone posh again Any road hello , how do and bonjour, things are still bloody grand over here

On the way home I rode through the New Forest ........................ and then did a cheeky lane in the Wylie valley The Sled ran like a dream, the perfect bike for these sort of roads.

Well the deed is done I’m a married man ..

I also wanna build a tiny cabin or two for visiting bike riders. Plenty of room behind the garages for them and I've always wanted to build one. Something like these:

Got the electronic Bat Signal to meet with the Distinguished Senior Gentleman of Fowey (Combined age 250) for a ride out Down West at 10:30 am. Given that I had just finished a night shift I figured why not? Didn’t want to miss out, youm a long time dead. We headed out through St Austell down the A390 to Truro. Then down to Falmouth and along the South Coast to Helston, Marazion, Long Rock and Penzance. Bleddy stunning weather but chilly. Not that it bothered me behind the CBF’s touring screen. Told the others I was actually a bit stuffy and two warm behind the screen, which they were delighted to hear in their cool looking but cold leathers . Just before we got to St Just we stopped at Boscawen Ur Stone Circle for a bit of Paganism but collectively decided it was to fucking cold to dance around the stones naked. Also with our years of experience we all pissed with the constant wind rather than against it, luckily just after we saw a hunt. Again after some discussion we decided not to lick the stones, every though one was solid quartz, as they were probably contaminated with Pagan DNA. We headed on down past Lands End airport to St Just in Penwith for a pasty dinner, met the local village idiot who wanted to sell us a Big Issue. I said ok only to hear he didn’t have any. . Fucking numpty shuffled off after that, don’t think he had a scenario worked out for that turn of events. Resident Idiot, parents were obviously two closely related With a healthy dose of heartburn we then St Just left for Godrevy onto St Ives, Hayle, the Towans finally stopping at Pentreath for a posh coffee. During which we discussed how many vertically challenged gentleman we saw riding Wank Panzers today. The Gamma ripped nicely up Pentreath hill with the Greeeves bogging behind in a plume of blue smoke. We were also a little derisory about a chap on his 24 plate Harley who went past with AC/DC blasting out of his radio for everyone’s enjoyment. Coffee and second piss done we headed home via the quick route back up the A30. Well I say quick we did have to ancient rattle machines with us who riders openly admit the vision blurs over 70 mph. Of course none of that non sense on the CBF. Left the A30 at Innis Downs then Lanivet, Lanhydrock, Fowey Cross and home in time for the rugby. Which I managed to sleep through. Good day and 130 miles with laughs, coffee and heartburn. Hoping for a summer of this

Well, 2025 hasn’t started particularly well. Having been over to the UK to visit my dad in hospital just before Xmas my cousin went to see him about four weeks ago and alerted me to his deterioration. Having seen a couple of photos it was obvious he was much worse than before Xmas, although the hospital kept telling me he was doing okay and was being considered for discharge! Went over to see him and it was quite obvious he was fading away and sadly he wasn’t communicating so all I could do was talk to him. He was transferred to a hospice last Wednesday but I had to fly back to Spain on Thursday morning so I said my goodbyes beforehand. My cousin went to see him on Friday lunchtime for a couple of hours and at 2.30pm UK time he passed away peacefully. He had just turned 88 years old so it’s fair to say he had a good innings but it doesn’t really make it any easier just yet. So, that’s that then; both parents gone, no siblings and no offspring of my own. When you consider how much useful and active time you may have left it makes you want to seize every opportunity, take every chance, be less risk adverse and just not worry about the small shite that seems to permeate our everyday lives. So, today instead of pondering about cremations, wakes and all of the fucking admin that needs to be done I’m out on my bike, enjoying the sun and the empty roads. …………….I just hope to God he doesn’t bump into the ginger Welsh twat

Cold morning, but only blue skies and the rains had all moved North, we headed South towards the Algarve hills, happy times! There, in the distance, it's the ocean sparking behind the hills. These are very nice motorcycling roads and usually deserted By the afternoon, we made it to Portimão, met up with our friends, looked around the pits and saw some people riding around. Scott Redding's training bike, pretty cool! He was obviously very fast, but the event was being used by a couple more racers for training, so the fastest guys in the faster group were really fast! Cool van We made it to our hotel, which had a nice view with the track in the distance: Someone had a blue cocktail, and spirits were high. Next day, and it was Sofia's birthday. We left the bikes in the garage, the plan was to walk to the track and hang out with Niel and Anne a little, walk around and then have dinner somewhere. Breakfast with the track in the distance, I like that! The dip at the end of the straight must be intense on a fast bike: There's a crest as you exit the last corner into the straight, faster bikes would float their front wheels for quite a distance after that: By mid afternoon it started to look like rain so most people cut their track time short. It was a three day event and nobody seemed like they wanted to ruin a nice experience by riding in the damp, it started to drizzle a little after that. I had a buzz around the pits in the Suzuki, it's incredible how easy and docile it is if you don´t poke many of the 200 horses. By the time we made it to the hotel the rain had officially arrived. We had a friendly van driver give us a lift to dinner, and much fun was had. The food was great and wine flowed merrily. It was a great evening filled with laughs and tales of motorcycling and life. In the morning the rain was all rained, we packed and left to visit Sagres before going to our home for a few days. Overlooking the beach and my favourite lighthouse in the distance, from the tip of Sagres: Stopped in Lagos for a bite to eat but got lost inside the old town. So parked the bikes and went on foot to find a snack. Just so you don´t think it's all scenic locations : Exiting Lagos we stopped for a while for some calls. After getting home I went to a local supermarket to fetch groceries for dinner, GS went into shopping trolley mode with the luggage stretched wider. Next few days, Algarve.

I’m going to show her now, except to wake up with a horses head in your bed

Some pictures in daylight and from a non-phone camera.

Had to go and get a replacement headlight bulb this morning for the Yamaha so turned up at an official Yamaha dealership, all swanky marketing stuff and a full range of new bikes. I thought to myself “I’m going to pay for all this bling”……….. but no, I spoke to the salesman in my bestest Spanish, he checked to see if they had any in stock and gave me one………for free! I thought he was joking at first but it seems he was happy that I’d made an effort to speak Spanish rather than just shout in English Happy days.

All four of them.

I set off in the dark and came home in the dark . Inbetween it was feckin cold and slippery as an eel on the trails but it was bl**dy great

Just to piss him off, since he never wanted to be MOTY, I'll nominate @XTreme Well, tough shit, Pete! You're nominated now. Nomination is not for passing away, it's for truly getting a kick out of providing a space for people to get together, he took great joy and pride in it.

When Pete passed on it was a very uncertain time for this forum and if I'm perfectly honest I thought it would just end. I know we've had a few flouncers and we could definitely do with some more female members and some aren't posting all that much but generally I think it's going ok. So I'd like to thank Ian for keeping the forum going and in the same spirit as Pete ran it. It's not a bed of roses keeping this forum going so although he can come across as a bit of a c*nt to some newer peeps I think he deserves some big praise .

So proud of her, She is a right little madam.

Shadows been out for her maiden voyage since the RTA. Bikes all good but she did comment that the foot controls felt different but understood when I told it was because her foot pegs were no longer bent . Still I am happy she is back out there with her confidence intact. Loves her new HJC LID Back out where it belongs

Rode home today, from my parent's place near Porto to Ribatejo. This was around 2,5 hours on the motorway, and then maybe an hour on country roads and over hills, with a stop on my favourite cafe for lunch on top of Serra de Montejunto and just half an hour away from home. I was a little too optimistic watching the rain radar, by this point I thought I was just escaping the rain clouds, light was just ahead. Turns out I was wrong, and went through a few showers. A few harder ones, but all of them short so didn't get too wet. I didn't feel like stopping so stayed with jeans the whole time, it was manageable as it wasn't cold. Stopped by a cool old school looking house to check some stuff on my email while talking to a client: Up in the Serra, it was quite wet from the very low clouds. The sun was trying hard to break through, but couldn't. After avoiding some lost city folks who were scared of the fog and stopped a grey electric SUV with no warning lights in the middle of the road to check their phones, I managed to get to my lunch location. It was very moody out there today. Ate inside, their heat lamps felt very good after the motorway. Just a nice value simple burger, nothing fancy. Almost home, local farm's horses were munching on the winter wild growth. Uneventful ride, felt nice to be back on my bike.

Bruised both shins it did bloody hurt and in work last week i twatted the left shin on the vans tow bar right on the bruise and later on the large stainless steel instrument i was carrying swung down and twatted the other shin, six30 is right i'm like a frank Spencer reincarnated

Had a mooch about Looe today, nice little town lots of narrow streets to explore . A bit windy but dry hoping for the same tomorrow but without the wind

New day, heading to Portugal. We left Potes while it was still a little cold, but sunny enough. Stopped for breakfast and parked next to a very odd looking Land Rover. After a brief stop at a lookout, which was mostly taken over by me having a few work calls and emails, we pointed the bikes towards Portugal. Hopped on a very boring motorway for a little bit, then some main roads, and we made it to the border quite early. We were to spend the night very close to the border, sleep in one of my favourite places and have dinner at my favourite Trasmontano restaurant. I had called and asked for my favourite rice to go along with the usual grilled beef. In the meantime, we made time by showing Barbara a little bit around the area. We got ourselves installed, and walked up to have dinner at an appropriate time. I loved it, didn't disappoint. We made it back to the hotel under an amazing sky, at around 22:30 the full moon lit the clouds from behind, and it looked even better in real life. The reason we stayed here was partly because it wasn't too far away from the Picos da Europa, but also because Northern Portugal was plagued with a natural disaster in the form of forest fires. The air was very smokey, the country was in panic, and we wanted to see if that got a little bit resolved before venturing farther on. That was left for tomorrow.

The Mrs. & I will be fine tuning the ergo's on her trike today....& then possibly a Ride on this optimum-weather day. Then prepping for our 2-night camping trip beginning on Monday....Destination here:

Sounds like she got a taste of what it's like to be a REAL biker....a bit of a reality check if you will. A cold backside is just the tip of the iceberg... Oh the fun to be had riding in the elements though....

No sooner had Shadow and I got back from Davidstow last night then I got a message from my mate to say a few of the Fowey lot were going up to Damerells. So off we went again but on the Hornet this time. We met at 4Turnings garage at 6pm where my mate Andy turned up on his new bike, a 2015 Triumph 900 Thruxton. Very nice indeed. Also Gary on his 1973 Bonniville and Martin on his V85TT. We rode over to Bodmin then up the A30 to Indian Queen’s, stuck at 70 as Gary can’t see over that speed due to the vibes. Place was packed when we got there, 100+ bikes I would guess Nice survivor GS1000E I like this Oil Head RT, Very nice Victory, I think they generally look way cooler than Polaris’s Indian replacements. Still have an itch for a Blackbird After Damerells Andy suggested that there was a bike meet a couple of miles down the road to a Cider Farm. So off we went only to crash a private party and were asked to leave. Walk of shame.

Just come to pick this up … seen something else and I shall be coming home with that … to be revealed very soon.. im never entering a motorcycle shop again after this !

You’re … You’re welcome

the reveal...

I really felt like riding somewhere, I missed being on the bike, but had no real plan or destination that I felt like visiting. Called my friend that owns a small hotel and booked a room, at least now I had a destination and with my favourite restaurant next to it as a big bonus. It was supposed to be getting warm but I had no plans to do sightseeing so that wasn't bothering me much. I had some delays, and missed a little bit of the morning, it was almost 10 by the time I made it to the Douro riverside, stopped for a coffee. Rode up the Douro, temperature was perfect in the morning, around 25º, couldn't ask for better. Stopped for a phone call By midday I had gotten to around Regua and temperatures shot upwards of 30º, to then stay between 36 and 38 the rest of the day. The Douro valley absolutely cooks in the summer, and this area here is the hottest, also where the best wine is made so that climate probably works. Took some of my favourite small roads near the river, quite narrow so two cars really have to squeeze to pass each other. I regretted not bringing a snack from home, as this would have been a perfect lunch stop. I had decided to try to not look at my phone for navigation, to make it a little more challenging. I did end up in a couple of dead ends as some of these roads just lead to a small train stop by the river, but then again they are nice roads so doing them twice isn't a chore: At around 3PM, now overheated a little, so stopped for a snack in an air conditioned cafe. Just after the cafe starts a road I know well and found by chance a few years ago. It felt nice to put my now cool helmet and jacket, and walked back out to the 38º heat feeling refreshed. I took the tiny road away from the tourist route, I love this tiny road, shame it's not very long as I could ride it all day long. Continuing farther north, and now away from the river, the landscape changes A stop under some shade to drink what was now quite warm water, blergh! I think I'll try to find some thermal fleece I can use to carry water bottles. Bike safely tucked away for the night, in time for a cool shower and a little relaxation in the air conditioned room, I think I did around 500 or something kms with no navigation except to get out of Bragança (a big town) after fueling up, pretty happy with that. I had high hopes for dinner, but little did I know I would almost risk my life that night... a 20 minute walk to the restaurant, first through a small village, most people living here are of pretty advanced age even though they still work the land, now taking the cool evening to relax outside. I named it Pig McQueen, runaway pig making everyone chase him around the village, look in the distance in the street: Lovely meal, along with pretty chilled red wine because fuck the rules! After dinner, conversation was struck and a few of us stayed out enjoying the cool night and having a drink. Some played cards, and I was very surprised to learn that spanish cards are different, wtf? People might have gotten silly, and we even had magic performed: At a little past 1 I headed back, now taking a short route along a road, I noticed a car with high beams on coming from behind me, I looked back and only had a moment to jump out of the edge of the road onto the bushes. This was on the outside of a wide enough corner, but the driver was either drunk or asleep and the car had one wheel already out of tarmac and where I was walking. They didn't stop. Diving to the bushes scratched the shit out of my arm and hand, ripped my tshirt but I was happy to get to bed safe and sound, even though I just plucked a few more tiny thorns from my had just now, a day later. Blackberry bushes! My plan was to wake up early and get out while still cool outside. Staying up late the previous day and a very sore arm and neck caused that plan to completely fail as I sat down for breakfast at well past 9 I had a big day ahead, again trying to not look at navigation and just follow street signs, now in a part of Portugal I don't really find easy to navigate. First couple of hours were very easy as I know those roads quite well, quite fast and flowing, in contrast to the previous day. Stopped for some water in a very cool village near the Serra da Estrela, very old and built amongst huge boulders. Drinking warm water was appreciated, though. Another stop, now to check some emails. This town was very nice, looked great and tidy inside the castle walls too. I'll surely come back with more pleasant weather, as the heat was on full force now. From there to the top of Serra da Estrela was a breeze, in less than an hour and we're at the tallest place in mainland Portugal, temperature there was very enjoyable at 22º, provided some brief relief. The road climbing from Gouveia up is just great, so I didn't stop and took it in a nice rhythm. At the top and on the other side: No more pictures, from there on there was another 4 or 5 hours to get home. Stopped for fuel at a nice gas station with very friendly staff, and sat down enjoying their AC and a bottle of very cold water for a while. I almost didn't want to leave. I hope it'll cool a little over the next days, so that I can at least enjoy a short ride or two from my place. Today was another 600km, that's the sort of distance @Earache does before breakfast and it took me most of the day

But it got better. I turned off of the highway and down a dirt road towards my destination. Rode about 45 miles of this to get to the canyon I wanted to ride.....

Todd got popped for 94 mph in a 65 mph zone....and the cop let him off with a friendly warning. Lucky fucker....

It is obvious that Fred has never been here because the sheep don’t run away. After heading over the tops I started towards Gifford and was greeted with views towards the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock. Also something familiar to Fred. More of what you all want of course. I have a picture of my Thruxton R at this same spot a few years ago. Then I headed home via the takeaway. I was a good afternoon ride.

I had a pass out today so I decided to take a ride down to Hampshire to have a look at the new premises of Rugged Roads. Headed for Shaftesbury and then took the B3081 to Ferndown which is great road. I stopped in Ferndown for a coffee and sausage sandwich ............. Rugged Roads don't really sell bikes (apart from the Kove rally bike ) but they have a great showroom full of clothing and parts for your adventure bike . I bought some new gloves while I was there ............. My mate Andy popped by as he lives quite close so we decided to go for a coffee at Sammy Miller's which is also close by. they also had some Harley Davidson's parked outside ..............

Forgive me, I don't get out much. Just heard the news, floored me. I've been around Pete's forums for many years, Max Bikes was my go to for some banter and pisstaking. Exchanged messages with Pete many times over the years, he was a truly unique and likeable guy, totally at ease with his Spanish lifestyle and dedicated to his family and his family of bikers. I fucked up a few times, indeed he banned me once, after an exchange of words, but after some grovelling apologies from me, he let me back. Many evenings I enjoyed the banter and pisstaking, brightened up my evenings many times, I'm smiling now remembering some. RIP Pete, one of life's good guys. I'll miss you mate.

Just did an eight day trip on the TRK502X which took me from Murcia province, up to Segovia where I met five friends from the UK. From there we went west to Miranda do Duro which is on the border between Spain and Portugal. Further west to Chaves and then onto Porto for two nights following most of the Rota Norte which was fantastic. We headed east to Avila using as many twisty mountain roads we could find and then finally I had to head home to Murcia province. My mates went north via Leon and the mountains so they can get their ferry on Wednesday. Fantastic trip with only a little motorway to get around Murcia city. No rain, great roads, only stopped by the police once early on Sunday morning to carry out an alcohol test (no problem!) The TRK is a fantastic moto and wasn’t left behind by the larger bikes…….and of course, it cost much less to buy! ……..where to next?

So on Sunday afternoon I decided to take a run out as the temperature was up to a near Caribbean level of 12c. I headed south into the Scottish Borders to the popular spot of Moffat but other than a sprinkling of power rangers and a few born agains it was quiet. My new exhausts were attracting a lot of admiring looks from the ladies. From there I headed to St Mary's Loch for a bit of cottaging. I was alone in the toilets though so I just took a piss instead. Again there weren't a lot of bikes, I did speak to a Polish couple who were on a Harley Electra Glide and I had a cigar break. Then I headed back using a single track road I wanted to explore. This took me past Megget Reservoir.

After 5 yrs. of not seeing my son...(he's a PMC in Israel) I got wind that he's here in OR currently!....just talked to him for the 1st time in a coupla years...he's in Portland to get his beat-up shoulder operated on (injury from Iraq back in 2011) & process a load of paperwork to get his Top Secret security clearance for a new contract in Germany after he finishes the remaining contract in Israel. Gonna relieve my anxiety a bit as a parent to know he'll be moving up the food chain & outta the field....probably gonna go see him next week...pretty stoked about that!

I saw a few of Fred's girlfriends, it is lambing season to if Fred had been here he would have gone full nonce. I then headed to Talla Reservoir, as usual the scenery was okay. Going off the side of the road would give you a bad day here. I eventually rejoined the main road and headed back to Edinburgh.