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Author Topic: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)  (Read 5378 times)

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Alesius

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From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« on: August 11, 2012, 01:36:53 PM »

I just came back from a great trip to Scotland. I would like to share some pics and impressions.
Started in Switzerland, crossed France, took the Eurochannel to England, drove up to Scotland, spent a week in Scotland visiting castles, distilleries and many pubs, and drove back via Netherlands, Belgium, Germany to Switzerland. Overall almost 5000km in 2 weeks. My wife joined me in Edinburgh and we drove 1700km in Scotland together (first time ever she was sitting on the bike for more than one day in a row - she said this must be true love  ;D). For the rest I was travelling on my own.
If you ask about the weather: well, there was not ONE day in Scotland without rain, but we were lucky enough that it was either raining when we visited a place, or during the night. The day I dropped off my wife at the airport in Edinburgh though, I got in a heavy rainstorm that didn't stop for the whole day - and I had to reach the ferry in the evening, so I was driving 400km until I was soaking wet  :veryangry2:, not to mention my bike that has never been as dirty before. It took me a whole day and a sixpack of beer cleaning it  :o
Nevertheless, it was a great trip:

First pic is from the Grand Ballon in Alsace, France, just beyond the Swiss border.
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2012, 01:38:13 PM »

Next stop was in Reims (France), with the beautiful and impressive cathedral
« Last Edit: August 11, 2012, 01:54:10 PM by Alesius »
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2012, 01:39:55 PM »

In England, close to Nottingham, I found the "oldest pub in England", established 1189 AD. The beer was still good, too :-)
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2012, 01:41:27 PM »

As soon as I crossed the Scottish borders, it became foggy and colder. Really strange  ::)
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2012, 01:44:00 PM »

We only used Bed&Breakfast, and it was an absolutely great experience. Very friendly people, great accomodation and usually less expensive than an average hotel. This is a typical example close from Edinburgh. The owner was very nice and gave us many tips where to go.
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2012, 01:47:01 PM »

We reached St.Andrew, the famous university city (where "Will met Kate") and had the opportunity to watch their "Highland Games". Strong guys with  - ehm - special sport suits  :)
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2012, 01:48:37 PM »

Freshly smoked fish. It can't get much fresher, and it tastes absolutely great
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2012, 01:50:40 PM »

Young talents demonstrated their dancing skills, under rigorous observation from the jury. (btw: 10min after I took this picture, it was raining like hell, and another 20min later the sky was blue and sunny again: Scottish weather?)
« Last Edit: August 11, 2012, 01:55:19 PM by Alesius »
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2012, 01:52:14 PM »

We visited many castles - this is just one (quite impressive) example, the Scone Palace (where Scottish Kings used to be crowned).
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2012, 01:53:49 PM »

An old graveyard - some grave stones are from the seventeenth century
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2012, 01:58:07 PM »

Driving up in the Highlands. Rarely any cars or people, but thousands of sheep everywhere, sometimes even on the road
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2012, 02:01:31 PM »

We met this mixed bagpipe group on the Culloden Battlefield. They came from Canada, US and Scotland. It was a very touching experience for us how they played with very earnest faces in this historically important location.
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2012, 02:04:25 PM »

Mandatory visit to Loch Ness. Seems that Nessie was on vacation, we didn't see anything unusual except bus loads of tourists
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2012, 02:07:20 PM »

The famous Eilean Dolan castle. Very nice location, but they had only one pub in the village, so it was VERY full in the evening    :drink:
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Alesius

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Re: From Switzerland to Scotland and back (pics)
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2012, 02:11:45 PM »

Waiting for the ferry from Isle of Skye. We spoke to many of the mobilhome drivers while waiting - based on how they looked at my bike, I think many would have agreed to switch their vehicles with the Harley immediately  :P
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