To see a man about a dog....

...coming in the next few hours, or at least by the end of today....another cracking wee story from our man Kawa, out and about on his MZ Skorpion.

And by Jove, have we got some fantastic new ideas lined up for this old bloggy!!! You'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I think you'll like it, well I hope you'll like it....more on that later too...just off to ring some lamb bits...

Well here it is, get yer sarnies and sit back and read...

To see a man about a dog. A Short Story by Kawa McKwak.

Saturday morning arrives and its time to give the Skorp a quick check over, oil, chain, tyres, all where they should be. Just a pity I was running an hour late, but then again I wasn’t in too much of a hurry, so by 7am I was on the road heading for Stirling and beyond. Before I knew it I was passing by Lochearnhead and thinking to myself this is the time to travel as I only had to pass a handful of cars so far.

First stop was at the Green Wellie Shop at Tyndrum to top up the fuel and stretch the legs. It always puts a smile on my face how little fuel this bike uses.
The rain was still with me as I neared Glencoe, stopping to take a couple of photos just before entering the Glen. The place still looks great in the rain and low cloud, and with that special feeling you get as you ride through the Glen. I think it comes from the sheer size of the place, you feel so small compared to the surroundings, maybe a bit of the history plays a part in it for some of us. A chance to put the feet up for 20mins came as I waited for the Corran Ferry, a nice wee time saver as it cuts out a longish ride up to Fort William and back down the other side of the Loch. First off the ferry and not a car in sight as I head along a fantastic stretch of road that takes me to Strontian. As I came in to the village, I think to myself, this place has hardly changed since I used to come here for part of my summer holidays many years ago as a boy. (Er, how many, Kwak?? GBC)

The road soon turns to single track as I head for Salen, most of the time the road followed along the edge of Loch Sunart and with the sun now out, the scenery was looking great, just had to try and keep my eyes on the road. Soon I was the other side of Acharacle and at the house of the man I was to see about a dog, well not really a dog, just a figure of speech. The deed was done, I was fed and watered as well. The sun was doing its best so a plan was hatched. Instead of just heading straight back home I’ll go up to Mallaig, get some fuel and see if the ferry for Skye was in. In no time at all I arrived at the head of Loch Ailort and joined the road for Mallaig. It had been a couple of years since I travelled this bit of road and what a difference they’ve made to it, nice wide sections with fantastic corners, you could play on this bit of road for days. Sorry, just me getting carried away. Arrived in Mallaig at 2.30pm, I know this because I pulled in to the Petrol Station then to fill up, only to see the sign ‘Saturday closed at 2.00pm’, grumpy mode was engaged, didn’t even notice if the ferry was in, and started to head towards Fort William. I stopped at a couple of villages that had fuel signs up but weren’t open, very handy on a Saturday afternoon.

A quick stop at Glenfinnan station (Railway) for a few pics and a bite to eat, a quick check of the fuel before heading off and there seemed to be more in the tank than the last time I looked, very strange, but not so grumpy now. As Fort William neared you could see the Nevis range in the distance, still with its covering of snow, just reminded me of the weather we had not so long ago. Fuel, then off down through Fort William towards Ballachulish Bridge. Coffee stop at Onich just before the bridge, then turn off for Kinloch Leven and yet another motorcycle designed road, seems to be a bit of a theme here, Scotland = great bike roads ;-)

((Glenfinnan Station looks busy.)) ((Bang goes the diet then...GBC))

Every man and his dog seemed to have stopped in the car parks near the south end of Glencoe, but there was just enough room to park the bike and take in the views, even better than earlier as the sun was out and could have sat there for hours.

Looking south along Glencoe...in the sun...

Kawa gets a prize if he can get this wee lassie to join the VMCC!

Another hour and a half and I was back down the road to Falkirk and the best bit was the sun was still out. Just got to get the bike ready for a wee run on Sunday now……