Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Day 17- The day after
Trying not to be depressed was difficult for both of us. We threw ourselves into the task of getting Gertie sorted. By midday we had a van organised and had found a Guzzi dealer near silverstone. We had a priority order in for parts. We loaded the van and headed south. 
No ramp? Find a fence. We supported the fence panel with the pannier boxes and she went straight in
Found some rope in a skip bin. 
Snug as a bug we got the hell out of dodge. We found a cool place to stay in Crewe 
This is our pub
This is our room
This is my hot wife
Monday, August 29, 2016
Disaster strikes
After we got off the ferry at Liverpool we checked into the crown plaza for the night. We had stayed here last week on the way to IOM. At about 10pm we got a phone call from reception saying there were reports of someone stealing our bike. We raced to the private car park to find Gertie had been damaged in an attempt to steel her and our helmets had been stolen from the bike by cutting the security cable and smashing the padlock. A guy we had met on the ferry had disturbed to gang of kids on scooters as they attacked Gertie. If he had not intervened we would have lost everything. We are now stranded. The ignition is destroyed. We will try to hire a van and get Gertie to a dealer for repairs. Not sure if we will make the start of the Italy group ride now. Depends what parts are available. 
She spent the rest of the night in the lobby 
Day 16- final day at the TT
Today we went to watch the junior TT race before heading to the ferry. We walked to the pits and watched from the grandstand area. It was a great spectacle
Later in the arvo we loaded up Gertie and headed for the ferry. It was a manic Manx day
We will return to the Isle of Man I'm sure
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Lisa - Labrador hunter
It seems the Isle of Man is Labrador heaven. Lisa seeks them out for cuddling everywhere she sees them. The lovely boy she spotted from our hotel room and raced to play with him (Harry). The owners offered for her to take him for a walk if she liked
Day15- Manx trials comp
Today was a rest day for the TT so we went to watch the trials competition. It was fun scrambling up into the foothills to watch the bikes. The conditions are so slippery but the boys had a ball. There is even trials side car outfits. My favourite was a triumph twin classic twin shock trials bike. I'll post a vid 
We then went to the TT pits to try and find Alex and Chris Pickett. Alex is riding in the classic superbike category. 
Tomorrow we will watch from here
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Day 14- Race day at the TT
Today we caught the tram to the top of the mountain and watched the racing. Once again words just don't cut it
First taste of the TT
We walked from our digs up to the famous Brae's hill to watch practice. There are no words to describe the spectacle. I will put up some short video clips soon
Puppies
Missing Calvin so saying hello to all labs. These two were lovely,12 yr old retired guide dog and 2 yr old crazy boy
Friday, August 26, 2016
Day 13- off to IOM
The idea was afternoon meal and off to bed. Wake up at 1am and go to the ferry. The reality was quite different. Anyway we made the ferry and had a good crossing. Got off on the Isle of Man at 6am. Ferry was full of bikes
On arrival we sort out a coffee and in the process we bumped into Mark from Australia. Had a chat the we decided to do a lap of the track. Ended up doing 2. It is outrageous 
The island is probably the most beautiful place we have ever seen. We rode to a little port town of laxey and guess who we passed on his push bike. None other than the Manx missile mark Cavendish. We stopped and yelled and waved at him like silly kids. 
The town of Ramsay. 
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Day 12- Rest?
Lisa found a coffee shop in Liverpool that has allpress coffee. We walked 4.25km one way to get a cup. Rest day my arse
Day 11- to the Ferry
The sun came out today and we decided to make the most of it and head to Liverpool for the ferry to the Isle of Man. The riding and the sunshine was fabulous. We crossed back into the UK through the lakes district and rode into Liverpool. What a city. We are having a catch up rest day before we get on the ferry at 3am
Wigtown harbour
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Day 10- Glasgow to Wigtown
Bad weather was the main feature of today's ride. We planned to sculk our way down the west coast but were stopped for the second time on this trip by a road closure due to s bad accident. The detour took us well inland and into high country bad weather. The roads were wet and unforgiving. The visability was non existent and riding was very challenging. When we finally made it back to the coast we stopped for a break in a beautiful seaside village and had a classic lunchtime experience in s little cafe. I had fish tea. That consisted of a fish cake chips and a monster pot of tea. As we sat in the little cafe a small group of old ladies beside us just started singing. It was beautiful. They just stopped and started as they felt the urge. Just beautiful ballads and I guess Gallic songs. 
She is a bit lonely in town tonight
Cute boat in cute harbour 
Village green
Elvis juice is the ticket
Tonight we are in a small village and we are staying in a B&B above a book shop cafe. We went to the pub for dinner. I had a local pale ale that was to die for. It was all to cute for words. It's way to wet to camp. We need each night somewhere dry and warm to get our riding gear dry again. Gertie is awesome and the wet and slippery roads.
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