7th September We left Oban on the most glorious day. Dunollie Castle, Oban Ben Nevis and the Nevis range was on our way north. We took the cable car up Aonach Mòr Mountain...fantastic views and then Ben Nevis as we drove off from there Ben Nevis...highest mountain in the British Isles As we hit the … Continue reading Into the Highlands and Skye →

5th September. North to Scotland via the coast road, through Carlisle, Gretna Green , around the south coast and up to Ayr. Most days we don't book accomodation till lunchtime and today was no exception. Found this place called Enterkine House Hotel for £55 (about $105NZ) inc breakfast which seems to be the cheaper end. … Continue reading Scotland. ..home of the Duncan Clan and Outlander! →

2-5 Sept Back into England and headed for the Lake District. Our plan is to have 3 nights/2days of no pressure to be up and out. Do some cooking and sleep in. So booked into a caravan on Black Beck Farm. Next day after breakfast in bed!!!! we went to ride Hardknott Pass. We had … Continue reading The Lake District….plenty of rain to fill those lakes up! →

1st September Unfortunately Wales was going to be short and sweet but we had been told Snowdonia and Anglesey were the places to ride. Snowdonia as an area (National Park ) derives it's name from Snowdon. ..the tallest mountain. That name is old English for "snow hill". From Llandudno (where we stayed the first night) … Continue reading Wales…. →

30th August Linda picked us up from the airport ...we are so lucky with people's generosity. Just around the corner from their place is Rufford Old Hall built in 1530 by Sir Robert Hesketh. The original Great Hall section remains. A brick addition was done in 1661 This property was in continual ownership of the … Continue reading And back to the mainland on a windy rainy day. ..onward and upward →

28th August Today we headed to Ramsey on the train to have a look around and watch the racing at Parliament square. Again racing was delayed so we walked out to Grove House, a former family home now gifted to the Heritage Trust. It was the home of Duncan Gibb, a Liverpool man who had … Continue reading And IOM continues. ..the just few days →

25th August Castletown was the Manx capital until 1869. It is dominated by Castle Rushen built for a Norse king in 1265 but the town has been around since 1090. The castle has been used as a fortress, residence of Kings and Lords of Man, a mint and in more recent times, a prison from … Continue reading IOM … investigating more history →

24th August When we first started planning a trip to the UK several years ago the plan had been for Graeme to go to the IOM racing and Courtney and I would do a river cruise at the same time. Cancer cancelled that trip so when we were planning the new option the IOM was … Continue reading Isle of Man. …history and technology combined →

23 August As was usual we had no idea what the day would bring, other than we would take the scenic route and take it from there. We had stopped at a random pub for a cuppa and there were all these brochures for local activities. The Heights of Abraham was just up the road … Continue reading Across country through the Peak District to Liverpool →

17 August - 23 August Arrived in Lincolnshire home of my paternal relatives. Literally all live within 10miles of Cowbit where the family burial plot is. As we were driving into Cowbit I was thinking of Dad and all the times he talked about this area...tulips, the wash, ice-skating on the wash and family. It … Continue reading And into my own history! →