The Manchester Honda
Owners Club
It seems that MANHOC likes Scotland. Having just had the Incontinent Insignificant Seven come back from their week’s blast around the Highlands, we had another weekend trip planned to Portpatrick. This one had been in the diary all year and Judy had drummed up loads of interest. So much that we had 19 people ready to wend their way Northwards.
The day arrived. Contrary to popular speculation, the weather was actually quite nice so no waterproofs needed. We all met up at the M61 services which host an excellent Starbucks (for those who are into those things). When I say “all”, we actually had 13 people to set off with as John & Judy, Paul and Mandy, Paul and Jackie were all otherwise occupied and would meet us later. So, even before we set off, we had lost people.
The only other incident to note was a slight luggage incident with Marks VFR. But some sticky tape and superglue soon fixed that. We sat and chatted until everyone turned up (Peter, your time keeping needs improvingJ)
Only 20 minutes late and we were off. The first part of the journey was boring (30 miles of M6) but we soon got past that and onto the nice roads around Kendal and over Shap. For those who don’t know, the A6 over Shap is one of the best roads on the UK. 24 miles of fast twisty tarmac. Lovely. Except this time, after about 12 miles we came across roadworks and a festival. So, it was fast, slow, slow and more slow.
First stop was the Rooster café at Penrith. A good place to stop if you like large meals. Which is one thing that MANHOC members are united on. So, an hours relaxation in the sunshine seemed to be compulsory. Once on the move again, we carried on up the A6, routed around Carlisle and headed off to Gretna Green where Pete took over the lead and I ended up as back marker.
Our next stop was to be David Coulthard’s museum. An interesting place and an interesting road getting there. It appears that the Scottish Highways Agency’s method of filling potholes is to dump a load of chippings in the hole and surroundings. That’s it. So, it looks OK but as you ride over it, the bike goes everywhere but where you intended. After a few scares, I got used to this and managed to avoid most of the other sliding places. At last we arrived at the museum where a welcome tea and a bun was had by all.
As we set off, I heard John & Judy on the radio. They had set off 2 hours after us and managed to catch us up at the next filling station. Which was great. So, we now had 15 people in a convoy doing the last few miles to our hotel.
We arrived around 5pm to find that Paul & Jackie had got there before us. Not sure how that happened, but it was good to see them. We got parked up, checked in and, in the great MANHOC tradition, headed for the bar. But not the hotel bar (which was small and crowded) but the one across the road, which had outside seating. Did I mention the weather? It was still hot. So, we waited for Paul & Mandy to arrive. It wasn’t too long before their black CBF1000 was spotted and they soon joined us for some refreshments.
Next thing was dinner (OK, tea for the Northern brigade, but dinner for those with breeding). Judy had organised it – so we all trooped back to our hotel where a long table had been set up for us. Food and drink were consumed and much merriment had all around. After that, more drinks and then bedtime. [The rumour that Geoff’s snoring can wake the hotel proved to be completely unfounded – my earplugs stopped all the noise and I got a good nights’ sleep.] So ended day 1.
Day 2. Breakfast was great. Lots of choice. But I wasn’t hungry, so just poached eggs for me Once done, we planned our day. Pete had organised a run around the twisty roads in the locale (report from Judy when it arrives), but there were some who didn’t want to do this. So, in the event, 12 people went off and 7 (including me) stayed behind to do their own thing. The ones who set off did so in the morning drizzle but I gather it all cleared up nicely for them. Personally, I had a great time walking around Portpatrick with Gary and Peter. The weather was a mixture of high sun and the occasional burst of rain. I got some great photos (another hobby of mine) and we even enjoyed the views from Peters Castle (OK, a ruin that Peter had found earlier). Anne and Martin went into Stranraer on the bike and Mark and Jackie did the same on the bus.
We all met up again at the pub across the road – and by 7pm were eating. Once again, food and drink freely available and really nice. Followed by the obligatory drink and bed.
Day 3 – going home. Breakfast again. We all staggered down to the morning repast.
This time, I had more to eat. Once done, we all assembled out and rode in formation
to the petrol station. We did manage to lose some people for a while (in 7 miles????)
But the radios and buddy system came to the rescue. Once filled up, we split into
two groups – those who needed to get back and those who wanted a leisurely bimble
around the Scottish roads. I was in the former group and led the party along the
A75 back to Gretna. Now, when I said “It’s the A75 all the way”, I hadn’t taken into
account the diversion that my sat-
Overall, a brilliant weekend -
19 gallop into Scotland