For this introduction I'm going to quote Stuey's comments, my apologies to you mate but it perfectly summed up the whole event for everyone concerned: "Well, what can we say?  First off thanks to Sandra & John for their organising skills, and Clive yet again for his route knowledge and leadership on the road.  I have had the best four days I can remember, if not the best I have ever had.  I could not honestly think of anything I would rather do than spend four days riding my bike in the company of such a great gang of friends in such a breathtaking part of the country.  It will certainly be a birthday that I will remember for many years to come, thanks for the cake and the cards ......... I've just given the bike a wash and I'm just about to fall into the chair with a head spinning full of superb thoughts and images.  Can't wait to do it again soon!"

The early bike line-up at the Carnforth Truck Stop meet.

And the riders & pillions tuck into breakfast.

(L-R): Garf, John, Jane, Lainey, Stu, Sandra, Del & Skip

One of the afternoon breaks, this one at Galston in the Lowlands.

Now started the really decent biking roads that were to become the order of the four days as we headed north to a break in Galston.  Drinks, loos and parking courtesy of the Co-Op!

The A77 and M8 got us quickly past Glasgow and out onto the A82 for a break on the shores of Loch Lomond as the weather finally turned to showers.

So it was that we had a damp run along the loch and up over the A83 down to our first night's stop in Cairndow at the Stagecoach Inn with its views across Loch Fyne.

Once everyone'd brushed-up clean and presentable it was down to the bar.  Sandra, Jane, Nige and Lainey.....

.....Garf, Sue, Stu and Skip wind down and warm up whilst the restaurant's being got ready.

The Saturday started very wet - pissing it down to be precise but it eased to showers by the time we left the hotel.

The break near Loch Tulla was during a dry spell but it was a tad cool.  Although the day was blighted with cloud there were plenty of spectacular views.

On the way down to Fort William Mick and Janice Young managed to join up with us and stayed for the lunch break before heading off their separate way camping.

Magically we had warm sunny weather for the stop in Fort William but the place was very busy so finding food quickly wasn't easy so some opted for a drink only.

The Saturday was the longest, and as it turned out the wettest day, so it was approaching seven o'clock by the time we'd enjoyed the belting roads up to Dunnet Head, popped into John O'Groats and reached the Sinclair Bay Hotel in Keiss.

There was quite a bit of wet-weather gear that had been found wanting during the mainly wet 300 mile run this day but despite all that everyone was on a high and thoroughly enjoying it.  Despite outward appearance the hotel was great.....

Cosy, warm and great service meant that knackered bodies were quickly revived .....

.... and bellies filled.  Skip was surprised to see that even at eleven o'clock, with an overcast sky it still appeared to be daylight outside!

Sunday started much better, with just the odd spit of rain during the morning.  By the time we'd thoroughly enjoyed the great biking A99 and A9 down to lunch in Inverness the day was showing promise.

So, the run down the A9 to a break in Aviemore and then in Killiecrankie (shown) was under growing blue skies.  From here it was onto one of the planets most enjoyable biking roads, the A827 to.....

....the beautiful village of Kenmore for a break in the baking sun!

The Kenmore Hotel (out of picture) is a gem, a real 30's museum!

From Kenmore we continued the biking bliss along the shores of Loch Tay, down the A85 past Loch Earn, through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park .....

... and down the valley to and along the shores of Loch Lubnaig to our last overnight stop in Callander, and its wonderful views!

The satisfied and biking-satiated gang in Callander.

So it was that everybody else left Callander on the Monday morning to head south for the Forth road bridge but not before taking in a few more of the Lowland's best biking roads.

Before the short but delightful A813 down to the Forth Road Bridge we had a break in Powmill after having been joined by a black Blackbird for the past ten miles or so.

We thought you'd have stopped for a chat when we pulled-up but instead you carried on your way, whoever you were.  If by any chance you do see this then let us know!

After crossing the bridge and enjoying the sublime A7 out of Scotland and towards Carlisle......

....it was time for Del to leave us to cut across to Newcastle and home.

This left the rest of us to have a final fling down the A6 and the delights of coming over Shap!  Mind you, after the last four day's roads it seemed to have lost some of its wonder!

Finally, an unusual shot indeed!  This is Skip's bike!  It is, honest!!!  Once back to Manchester he actually cleaned it and revealed that it is red :-)