October 2015 Trip Review

 This Autumn  (October)  myself and Mark decided  on a ride down into the south of England to  explore Dorset, with a one night stop over in  Weymouth. It just so happened there was a Beer  Festival at the Pavilion (we like beer) so we  booked the night into a B&B on the Sea Front -  The Hotel Mon-Ami . Hope you enjoy the 12  minute video. I have a thing now where I try and  edit with audio chosen from the MP3 tracks  listened to on the ride, the music "appeals to the  lower elements such as myself".

 After a quick route plan on Tyre Friday evening  we set off, meeting at Mark's house at 8.30 Saturday in Worcester, half decent weather (no rain but cool) so up and over Fish Hill and into the Cotswolds. 

I had never been to Stonehenge, so we decided on a ride through the Cotswolds and in to Wiltshire via Amesbury for a visit, and recently I saw a documentary on TV about the Iron Age walled city called 'Old-Sarum', the original city that ended up moving 2 miles away and now known as Salisbury, so a visit there was added as way-point allowing a ride over Salisbury Plain before heading into Dorset and a stop at Corfe Castle making our way to Weymouth for the night. Had a close call on the way from Corfe when a Pigeon flew out of  a hedge and hit my left mirror full on, causing the mirror to spin around, and the pigeon to bounce off my shoulder before hitting the road to the left of the path of Mark who was riding behind.Could have been quite nasty, especially if it hit my visor while I was travelling at 60+mph !! 

The Route home took us further west along the Jurassic Coast toward Bridport, then north up to Cerne Abbas, into Somerset and Gloucestershire through the west Costwolds, a quick stop off at the McDonalds in Stroud, sublime countryside around Slad and Painswick. By the time we reached Slad it was getting dusk and the final leg home via Upton on Severn was in total darkness. Quite enjoyable riding with Mark behind me through the dark, the bike clock lights glowing, the GS headlight was surprisingly bright enough, and we parted company in Worcester before reaching home around 7PM. 

A great way to finish the season, I really enjoyed the last full weekend of British Summertime. Below are some photos taken by me during the weekend: 

Stonhenge is now run by the English Heritage, and although you get a good view from the main road, we wanted a better view so paid the £15.00 + £2.00 audio guide and after a bowl of soup and chance to warm up a bit, took the tour bus out to visit them. I've read a lot about the stones over the years and how the inner blue-stones were transported from all the way from South Wales. Quite incredible seeing them so close, and realising what was involved involved in getting them here.

A windswept Mark.

 The 'tenon' (see top of stone) used to fit the 'mortise' (mortise and tenon) of the top stone. This held the top in place, and quite incredible to think early neolithic man carved the stone away to produce this common engineering method using very primitive tools.

A 'Barrow or burial mound.

Salisbury Cathedral  as viewed from Old Sarum

The Norman moat built to surround Sarum Castle built by the Normans in the 11th Century.

Parachutists nearby

Lulworth Cove, Dorset on the Jurassic Coast.

 Durdle Dor - the famous natural limestone arch. From this angle looks like a Horse drinking water. See it ?

 Mark & Mark

 Limestone Caves

The incredible Chesil Beach as viewed from Portland. Brings back many memories of childhood holidays !!

We took a ride and stop at Portland Bill to visit the lighthouse.

A walk on Chesil Beach.

We took a break at Cerne Abbas to the view the Giant. A Chalk hill carving believed to represent fertility. -' oo-err missus'. 

While there we  met a fellow biker riding a restored Kawasaki Z1000 out for a ride from his holiday home in Poole, up from London. Pity I didn't get a picture !!