Well gents, I can't say that my neighbour hood is every going to compete with some of the stuff we get to see in ride reports from the American contingent, or even what the Scottish lads can post, but I thought you might like a look around Wiltshire. No mountains, no sweeping forests or big rivers.... What we got instead are neolithic stone circles built 3000 years BC, thatched cottages and crazy chalk hill horse artwork, crop circles and farmers... I'll update this post from time to time when I get the bike back on the road.....
Part of Avebury Stone circle.
Avebury for those who have not been, is a giant version of Stonehenge. Much better version too. Also has a good bike meet during the summer.
(http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447216861_723571861_2939279_6455554_n.jpg)
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs173.snc1/6488_121447226861_723571861_2939280_767071_n.jpg)
Barbury Castle
They make racehorses here. Hence grass and open space. Lots of little byways to go and explore. You gotta slow down to let the girls on horses go by occasionally, but when I was younger this was a way to meet rich, pretty girls. So I can't complain.
(http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447276861_723571861_2939286_1873193_n.jpg)
Typical Wiltshire coutryside, typical road. No cars, no speed cameras, no police. Not typical in England.
(http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447286861_723571861_2939287_8291533_n.jpg)
Nearest proper town. Marlborough.
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs173.snc1/6488_121447296861_723571861_2939288_5061995_n.jpg)
Where the peasants live.
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447306861_723571861_2939290_7390004_n.jpg)
(http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447336861_723571861_2939293_84890_n.jpg)
The bike looks a bit pink here for some reason! Dodgy photo! Don't care what you say, 98 Volcanic red is the best colour for steamers.
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447316861_723571861_2939291_780558_n.jpg)
Alton Barnes
Home of many a crop circle, including the one used on the Led Zep remasters album cover.
(http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs173.snc1/6488_121447341861_723571861_2939294_1199183_n.jpg)
(http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs173.snc1/6488_121447346861_723571861_2939295_8330047_n.jpg)
Alton Barnes White Horse
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs173.snc1/6488_121447361861_723571861_2939297_1257781_n.jpg)
Crops coming in
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447371861_723571861_2939298_6805755_n.jpg)
(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6488_121447256861_723571861_2939284_2255860_n.jpg)
Edited for click-free pleasure.
I love the ancient druidic and celtic stuff. Have any more of those?
Thanks - I'll have a look to see how to do it properly.
In terms of ancient stuff - we got lots. will post asap.
Open the pic in its own window, then copy-n-paste its URL between the tags.
I'm seriously going to have to just bite the bullet and get my butt to the UK and Ireland for some heavy motorcycle touring. There's enough of my Mom's Irish and Welsh blood running around in here to really feel part of me used to belong there and wants to return.
Keep 'em coming. If you post them, I'll drool over them.
Someone in the uk is putting together a stone circle ride it's nationwide and when its done i will post it up for you to drool over..
Well if you have Welsh or Irish blood they will welcome you like a long lost favourite son. (Better get ready for some drinking).
I took the steamer to Wales earlier in the year... it's a wonderful place to ride. As for Ireland, I've been there three times and never seen further than 10 yards as it has always been raining so hard. Had a good time though.
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs017.snc1/2999_72227536861_723571861_2188666_6968152_n.jpg)
LLanthony Abbey
(http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs017.snc1/2999_72227556861_723571861_2188670_7858594_n.jpg)
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs017.snc1/2999_72227566861_723571861_2188672_2842952_n.jpg)
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs017.snc1/2999_72227621861_723571861_2188681_73292_n.jpg)
Quote from: "nickcalne"Well if you have Welsh or Irish blood they will welcome you like a long lost favourite son.
Awesome!
QuoteBetter get ready for some drinking.
Awesomer!
Nick some great pics there. I used to live a bit to the south in The New Forest... bizarre place for us foreigners due to its lack of trees.:!: :!:
And Stretch, Nick aint kidding about the drinking... my ex Mother'n'law flew halfway round the world to look up the lost side of her family. When she arrived, after a day and a half of travel, they wouldn't let her in the door till she'd downed a dram of the local whiskey.... :occasion14 and shes wasn't a drinker... but had nowhere else to go.. :ImaPoser
Offas dyke behind Llanthony abbey up on the hill top, the old border between England and Wales
Nice pics, a lovely part of the country Wiltshire, must get over that way for a ride sometime (no speed cameras means you can actually enjoy a ride!).
Lovvely countryside, I miss all the greeness out here :(
Quote from: "Stretch"Edited for click-free pleasure.
I love the ancient druidic and celtic stuff. Have any more of those?
Should I post some personal pics, I fit two of those catagories :lol:
Great pics. I was supposed to be in Ireland right now, but my wife had surgery a few weeks ago and we had to cancel the trip.
I was really looking forward to meeting her family in Cork. My family heritage is primarily Scottish, so I'm sure I could have found an excuse to toss back a few pints.
Love the pictures of the old abbeys and castles. We may have the sweeping vistas and such here in the US, but you guys really have the history and architecture.
Sorry to hear about your wife. Hope she recovers quickly. Cork is a great place and I have had some good times there, but by god can it rain there! If you get the chance take the road round the bottom of Ireland to dingle peninsula. It's stunning.