D & K Petty - Portpatrick 2004 by motorcycle

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Portpatrick - June 2004
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

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When Dave Buchan suggested a trip to Portpatrick on the motorbikes, it seemed liked a good idea. The weather was great until a few days before we set off, when it finally started to rain, good for the garden, not so much fun for riding. As it turned out, we got mostly dry weather, lots of wind (?), some sun, and torrential rain on the way home. At least the new panniers didn't leak, and we did manage to find plenty of excuses to stop off in cafes along the way to dry off and warm up.

	Bikes outside the George Hotel in Orton near Penrith in Cumbria, where we stayed on the first night. After a dry ride across the Dales on Thursday, it started raining early on Friday morning and was still doing so when we packed and set off.		Appleby in Westmoreland, Dave & Karen waiting for the drizzle to stop and Tony & Helen to arrive, so we can go to the first of many tea shops we get to visit over the weekend.
	After a nice cup of tea, and some buns, we finally get to leave Appleby, and the rain has stopped for a while.		Portpatrick, enjoying the views and the evening sunshine outside our lodgings, the Mount Stewart Hotel. The first of many beers, before the first of many oversized meals. I feel bloated just thinking about it!
	View along the pretty harbour wall at Portpatrick.		Helen, Tony and Dave B. outside The Crown, trying to decide what to eat. Scabby horse would have been OK, but there was none on the menu so we settled for something else.
	Not many boats in the harbour at Portpatrick, it was still very pretty in the evening sun.		Rainbow over the sea, seen from the harbour wall.
	More of that picturesque harbour.		Part of the memorial to the 1953 lifeboat tragedy, with many lives lost trying to save the 'Princes Victoria'.
	The rest of the memorial.		The rocky coastline around Portpatrick is beautiful, not perfect for lovers of sandy beaches, ice creams and amusements, perfect for walkers and people looking for some great views.
	This seagull was obviously hungry enough to try and steal something out of the plastic bag, I've no idea what it was but he (she ?) seemed to enjoy it.		Dave Buchan waits (quite) patiently for the photographer to get on with it. After all, the pubs are open and there's beer to be drunk.
	The Portpatrick lifeboat.		Everyone needs a little relaxation, we were promised a serious session on the putting green but it never materialised. Karen won the only round we got to play, soundly beating Daves 1 & 2, there's some revenge to be had the next time we go on holiday near a putting green!
	More of that rocky coastline, from the footpath North of Portpatrick on the Saturday morning walk.		Sandeel Bay, the colour of the seaweed might be photogenic, but I'm not sure I'd want to eat any fish out of that water.
	After the walk, a quick relax with a beer, or lime & soda in some cases, before doing some serious relaxing in the afternoon.		Sunday morning and a walk along the cliffs to the South of Portpatrick, towards Dunskey Castle. It's not a castle, but it is at Dunskey so I guess that's OK.
	Gang of four admiring the remains of Dunskey Castle.		View along the coast below Dunskey Castle.
	Honest, Tony wasn't playing on the swings, he just went to read the notice to see if we were allowed to play. Some problem about a weight limit meant we couldn't, must be all of those puddings we kept eating at dinner.		The island in Portpatrick harbour isn't really an island at all, as it's connected by the harbour wall and breakwater. Dave B. says it was much more fun when it wasn't connected, but a bit more challenging to get to.
	View down over Portpatrick in the afternoon sun.		Posing in the sunshine, nice and warm when we could get out of the Northerly wind that was blowing most of the time.
	Portpatrick harbour and the big hotel overlooking the bay. Beware of low flying zimmer frames!		The lighthouse at The Mull of Galloway is a working lighthouse open to the public. Ninety something steps, according to Helen, and great views from the top make it worthwhile. Not good if you don't like heights though.
	Port Logan harbour wall, a quiet liitle place along dirty roads, an interesting ride on the motorbike.		The beach and bay at Port Logan.
	Karen sheltering from the wind, and getting warm in the sun.		The Mount Stewart Hotel, home for the weekend and recommended, by me at least.