Mountain Dew

All Around The World

Last Train to Nowhere

On the way home from the Autumn Camp in Northumberland I made a slight detour to take some photos of the old railway station at Melrose.

As you can see this is a rather splendid Victorian station. However, the actual railway line was removed in the 1960s during the Beeching Cuts leaving it a station without any trains.

The last time I had passed some years ago it had been turned into an artists colony, but it was once more empty and up for sale. Imagine buying it and living somewhere like this.
 

Last Chance Saloon

Another weekend, another motorcycle rally. This one was the annual Autumn Camp at Bellingham in Northumberland, seen by most as their last chance to get out and about before the weather begins to turn wintry.

I only managed down for the Saturday night, but the ride down was pleasant and sunny and I stopped off now and again to take some photos once I’d crossed over the border into England.

Catcleugh Reservoir pumphouse

Sign on military ranges at Otterburn

view south towards Bellingham

bikes old and new

There had been a number of changes since I had been in the village last year, and all to the good. I was particularly taken by CarriagesTearoom located in actual railway carriages parked in what was once the local railway station before it closed down years ago and is now the car park for the heritage centre. They do a rather nice homemade scone to go with your pot of tea.

After a good evening in the local pub I had a rather restless night in my tent as it was quite cold. The following morning it was apparent just how cold it had been overnight as we woke to a ground fog and frost on the tents and the bikes.

However, this didn't last long into the morning, and after a good breakfast it was time to pack up and head home. The trip back was equally pleasant, with bright sunshine and relatively quiet roads for most of the journey. 

"I can see for miles..."

abandoned railway car used as a sheep hut

Logging has laid waste to this landscape

Borders rugby, home to the oval ball game

large windfarm on Soutra Aisle

Nearly home again

All told, a pleasant weekend at the tail end of the year before ones thoughts turn less to actual riding and more to planning trips for next year once the summer months come around again.  

He Shoots! He Scores!

 
Hello Comrades,

I have no idea if Lenin ever played basketball, I just liked the picture and it sort of fitted in with the latest developments at Chateau des Thistledown.

In a fit of madness brought on by cheap drink and easy access to the Internet (eBay)  I've just bought myself a 1997 Dnepr  MT11 solo done up in a faux military colour-scheme (see picture below).

I used to own one about twenty years ago and have had a hankering for another Soviet-built machine for a while now. Initially I had been looking for a cheapish Ural, but couldn’t find one at a price I was willing to pay so gave in and bought the Dnepr instead. I’m planning on collecting it next weekend so you’ll have to wait until then for more pictures.

These machines, built in Kiev in the Ukraine and not in Russia, were produced until the factory finally closed its doors earlier this year for what looks like the last time. I’m hoping that spares aren’t going to be too much of a problem. They did build these things for the best part of 60 years after all.

Now all I need to do is buy myself a furry chapeau.
 

Ready To Rumble

(Via: TonUpNC)

Odd & Orange

The wacky Bond Bug micro-car from the 1970s. I remember seeing a few of these when I was growing up and I remember that I desperately wanted one back then. Now that I'm all grown up, I still want one!

"They don’t pay me enough to ride that thing."

Spotted at the Coupes Moto Legende this summer. The Yamaha TZ750 which was ridden by American Kenny Roberts before the AMA banned it for being too powerful/dangerous. There's the full story of the machine here.

The Godfather