19/08 UK Scotland, Orkney

Motorhome to Scotland and Orkney and Mt. Saint Michelle

Day 27, 08.08.2019, Durness – Ullapool, 126 km

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I took an extended stroll on the beach far out to the opposite side of my location. It was just peaceful, relaxing, meditative and energizing at the same time.

I love the micro cosmos and miracles of nature along the shores.

The panorama form the far end back.

This are the ruins of Balnakeil Church close to my paring spot.

From the ride to the south west to Ullapool I was again amazed about the beauty of the Scottish Highlands with their winding roads and rivers and waterfalls. You can also meet interesting people on bicycles like Tim from the Netherlands. He had this top special touring bike from Germany for about 8.500 Euros. Respect. I gave him a lift to find a coffee shop. We had to search deep into one of the fjords and found that charming place at the far end…

The camping ground at Broomflield Holiday Park was just outside Ullapool and very well organized.
http://www.broomfieldhp.com/

Day 26, 07.08.2019, John o Groats – Durness, 150 km

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It was a westwards move from John o Groats to Durness along the north coast of Scotland. As one can see the weather was rather dull, driving along the sea side is still peaceful and relaxing. Never mind the narrow and partially one-lane-roads. All motorists play to the rules and wait at the next passing island and traffic really flows and flows …

Could not resist to play nine holes of Golf ad-hoc when I came along the Reay Golf Club. It was a fine links course, as they are only in the motherland of Golf.
https://www.reaygolfclub.co.uk/

Similar to the above images, this was the view from the parking site of the motor home – near Durness – and another Golf Club, by the way.

Finding this ideal location needed the courage to drive past Durness on a narrow winding road. Then I found some parking, but it was full already. So I carried on another one-lane-road to the Golf Club. And found my spot.
http://www.durnessgolfclub.org/

Day 25, 06.08.2019, Orkney – John o Groats, by bike, 30 km

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After a pleasant night in the tent I chatted to neighbors with a motor home. They recommended this beautiful coast line nature reserve.

This “bowling pin rock” was excavated by sea channels over thousands of years.

The young lady and her colleague were extremely helpful that I could get a ride on the bus back to the ferry. They went the extra mile to get the permission and the necessary wrapping material for my bicycle. Very special to me.
I had not eaten much yesterday and today. I was in a state of euphoria to find the archaeological sites and had no appetite at all. But when it hit me, I had some fish and chips, but it did not give me enough energy back to cycle to the harbor.

Day 24, 05.08.2019, John o Groats – Orkney, by bicycle, 50 km

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The first view in the morning was a little wet and not really encouraging a bicycle tour. But it cleared to a cloudy condition which was welcome …

I knew Orkney does have neolithic excavations and museums. Beside its remote geographical location this was the main motivator to go there. I found it just ideal to take the bike with tent and cycle around the island. It was tough, but also extremely rewarding.

The ferry took about one hour and the landing point had NOTHING to offer, not coffee shop, no other shop, no welcome procedures 🙂

First landmark on the road to Kirkwall was the Italian Chapel, which was built by Italian prisoners or war completely from scrap material.

A glimpse of Kirkwall, main town of the island.

Standing Stones of Stenness

Above are images from current excavations Ness of Brodgar and the Ring von Brodgar. To “catch” the Ring onto an image with an smart phone is a challenge, which I did not master.

The clear highlight of that day and one of the most impressive observations of ancient structures was Skara Brae. I was lucky to have a “private” tour with a really engaged expert lady.

My tour guide in Skara Brae recommended an informal camping ground nearby and I found it very well sheltered and even romantic.

Day 23, 04.08.2019, Edinburgh-Inverness-John o Groats, 453 km

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It was a long ride up to John-o-Groats, the most northern town of Scotland. I visited Inverness a couple of times in the past. And despite the poor weather it was again a pleasure to stroll around and enjoy the typical architecture of the area.

John-o-Groats is remote, obviously. But that provides it’s magic and tranquility:
MOST NORTHERN POINT OF SCOTLAND!

Quite late I prepared for next day’s biking trip to Orkney. I do enjoy extreme landmarks :-

Day 22, 03.08.2019, Edinburgh cycling

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Edinburgh is such a fascinating city and has thousands of visitors anyway. They host that multicultural “Edinburgh Festival” with great formal and informal events of classical music, theater plays and the fringe comedians.

The variety of architecture is amazing and the harbor and views to the sea make it very special indeed.

Had a whale of a time in that street market. Chatted to a professional photographer about post production …

I cycled from the camping ground to town and all around. At the Festival area there was a huge crowd and I locked the bike away and enjoyed the thrill of street art and performances.

Day 20, 01.08.2019, Oxford-Stratford-Birmingham-Aston Court, 255 km

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Driving north bound to the Cotswolds and stopping in Moreton-in-Marsh to buy some cheese in “The Cotswold Cheese Company” with charming personnel.

Carry on to Broadway just to visit this legendary hotel again. The Lygon Arms.

  • The Lygon Arms Hotel in Broadway in the Cotswolds

The day only started to become explorative, so I carried on to Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s home town.

Finally driving to Knowle and to Hollywood south of Birmingham, where I also lived in the late 90-ties. Grimshaw Cottage is in Knowle and the current owner, a charming couple showed me around how they extended and improved the building. I was impressed to say the least. Hollywood is the bottom picture of this collection.

During my time in Birmingham I visited the city center often and this time I also looked around to maybe find some parking at a hotel. But all searching was in vain. So I drove northbound again. The goal was Scotland. It became later and later and finally dark night before I by pure luck found that parking lot at Aston Court Care Home and Hospital.

Day 19, 31.07.2019, Oxford

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Oxford in 2019 meant going down “memory lane”. I lived the from 2000 to 2002 and enjoyed the place very much. They have the oldest purposeful built music hall in the world and I went there many Sundays for the “Coffee Concert“. Other highlights were a New Years Concert in the “Sheldonian Theater” built by Sir Christopher Wrenn (who also built Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London), a piano concert in the Apollo Theater with Vladimir Ashkenazy, then one of the top 5 pianists and conductors worldwide and last but not least, many weekend outings to nearby Cotswolds.

  • Approaching city center
  • Christ Church College
  • Christ Church College
  • Christ Church College
  • Christ Church College

Oxford city center scenes

Cycling to the outskirt villages.This one is Radley, where I lived for 2 years.

Around Radley and the River Themse with the typical river boats and locks and inns.

My last item on the agenda of that day was to visit the BMW Oxford Plant where I worked from 2000 to 2002. It was great to see some of the structures I coordinated as project manager are still in place and working well.