Thunder in the Glens - Thurs

Ian had mentioned 'a rally in Scotland with thousands of Harleys' months ago. I'd asked him to get me a t-shirt as I dismissed it as too far away. Then I met Pillinger at the CMA National Rally. Her powers of persuasion were very effective. Actually it wasn't that hard. "get me a pillinge on a Harley and I'll come".

Thursday. Meant to leave at 8. Was gone 9. Why do I faff so much?? Especially as I had spent most of yesterday de-pinking my cut off, packing Bumble and sorting the route.

..which took forever as I set routes to each geocache. Anyway, after failure at the first cache it went better from there. Somewhere in Northern England I was overtaken by a couple of Harleys. The second must have noticed the HD decal on Bumble's window, and waved.. so I waved back (in a manic, big grin, that's made my day type way). I wondered if they were going to the rally. Also got a wave from a dub, and that always makes me smile too.

Picnic in Bumble somewhere near Durham..  (surely that's saved me another tenner for HD gear?!)

This was the nicest setting for a cache, this is Percy's cross in Northumberland. I was wondering later how on earth the journey took 11 hours instead of 8, and I think the phone call from Christian Aid didn't help. 

Next stop was at the border. Just got out to take photos and see if there was a cache (there was) when a couple of Harleys pulled up. They looked familiar!! Was funny watching one guy take his helmet off and look quizzically at Bumble. Quickly established that yes, we were the ones that had waved at each other, and it turns out that Wayne and Carl had left Thorpe Acre in Loughborough ten minutes after I did!! So, as I have learned that if you don't ask you don't get, I tried to beg a pillinge on the ride out. First time I've ever asked for a bloke's number! I also learned the secret for not getting a sore bum on long rides, it comes in a hip flask!

They don't look hugely different to me..

Loads more Harleys, some from Belgium, then rolled up...

View from Bumble at the cache in the Highlands. So glad it was an earth cache and I didn't actually have to get out! Little did I know how common this type of view would be (misty hills seen through lots of rain)

Stopped at the Ralia cafe just 16 miles away from Aviemore for the last cache. Getting late. Easy enough find near whatever this is, but no-one warned me about the ferocity and suddenness of the Midge attack!!! Was bitten to death in seconds by black dots!! What's that all about God??

Finally got to the MacDonald resort (half of Aviemore) and found the motorhome parking. The others made Bumble look tiny and all lonely, but there was one other fabulous HD T4!!

Went off in search of water to cook tea, and of Holy Joes. All I found were miles of fencing. I could not find a way into the camping field. Saved by a phone call from Ian, and then very, very happy to see Pillinger in her car. Even happier once moved Bumble to the car park near Holy Joes, fed and sat listening to new people with a hot choc warming my hands. Swapped hot water bottle for a HD mug. Prob sums up my priorities.