May 2023 - Travelling Light UK and beyond

A visit to Glenkinchie Distillery

May 31, 2023June 2, 2023Posted in Health, Travel, UncategorizedTagged a visit to glenkinchie, biker, blog, blogger, cancer, country, Countryside, distillery, Dr Elizabeth Johnston-Young, Edinburgh, farming, gardening, glenkinchie, harley-davidson, Johnnie walker, lammermuir, Lammermuir hills, malt, motorcyle, net cancer, octreotide, Pencaitland, plants, royal highland show, Scotland, scotland tourism, sheep, Travel, travel blog, whisky, whisky trail2 Comments

After my octreotide treatment today my sister, Hazel and I take a drive to my local single malt whisky distillery. Served with water from the Lammermuir Hills this local distillery was founded in 1837. It proudly serves as one of the Four Corners distilleries of Johnnie Walker. Set in well kept gardens and knowing there are a couple of sheep that are going to the Royal Highland Show I jump at the chance of a visit to Glenkinchie Distillery. The plants in bloom bring beauty and colour to the garden. The beautiful statue sheep are an additional attraction, alongside the wonderful sculpture of Johnnie Walker and his dog nearing the entrance. As we walk in a member of staff warmly greets us and welcomes us to Glenkinchie. I certainly recommend a visit to Glenkinchie Distillery. And perhaps sample the whisky earning the title of The Edinburgh Malt.

Glenkinchie Distillery is close to Pencaitland, East Lothian only 15 miles from Edinburgh. The red bricked visitor centre nestled in farming countryside. Originally the distillery was founded by two farmers in 1825, John and George Rate. Until 1837 it was named Milton Distillery. The Kinchie burn runs through the glen and so came the new name with new licensing in 1837 Glenkinchie.

https://www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries/glenkinchie

Shopping on a visit to Glenkinchie Distillery

The shop has something for everyone. Gardening tools, clothing, pencils, books, bags, diffusers, cocktail kits, glasses, of course whisky plus more. A fabulous cafe. The distillery can arrange wonderful tours. For us today it is a short visit. In the first instance to see the sheep. However, while I am looking around my sister catches a bargain or five. To say the least she got an amazing wax jacket, a sweatshirt and a bottle of whisky. After all you can’t go to the distillery without buying a bottle of whisky, can you?

Travelling Abroad with so Much Enteral Feed

May 26, 2023June 2, 2023Posted in Health, Travel, UncategorizedTagged biker, blog, blogger, cancer, enteral feed, Ferry, Germany, harley, harley-davidson, Magic bike, motorcycle, peg feed, Travel, travel bloggerLeave a comment

Every day I am dependent on Lavita my Rig feed. Since 2015 I have needed the assistance of my lifesaving little tube morning, noon and night. When I want to go out and about I wear a backpack and carry my pump and feed around with me. Some things take a little more planning than others like going on holiday, taking part in certain activities. Since Steve and I love to ride the Harley-Davidson® together we make sure we are organised. Especially for longer runs, Chapter Events, weekends aways and foreign trips. In a weeks time we are leaving for Rudesheim in Germany for the Magic Bike Rally. I will be travelling abroad with so much enteral feed. I need to have my feed running when I am on the bike, especially on long journeys. And boy this is a long trip, first leg is Pencaitland to Hull to catch the overnight ferry. We have a cabin and sleep overnight on the ship. Steve will have to remember to put the bike in “ferry mode” Dock at Rotterdam and then second leg Rotterdam to Bingen am Rhein. Where we will be staying. I will need to have feed on for both legs, it keeps me well fed and prevents my blood blood sugar from dropping.

Rucksack to carry enteral feed

Steve treated me to a great rucksack made by Joules, looks fabulous in red. It has lots of handy pockets and its waterproof for going on the bike. The good looks of this rucksack takes away any medical issues. Such as the giving set connectors coming out of the bag attached to the feed attached to my stoma. Most people comment they never notice the cables. Saying they are discrete. It makes life so much easier when I am travelling abroad with so much enteral feed.

Enjoying Life

Finding the balance is important in life. I won’t pretend it is easy getting on and off the bike and riding with a feed running. The slight worry that something may go wrong. If we were to fall off the the bike the entire RIG could get ripped out of my gut. However that is something I don’t every want to worry about. I always take the necessary precautions, Steve rides carefully and sensibly. And we do everything in our power to make sure that the ride will be as safe as possible. Life is for living. We have been riding together since 1985, we rode together on our wedding day, the day before I gave birth to our eldest son, a few days after giving birth to our youngest son. And here we are still riding together through thick and thin, better or worse and sickness and in health….. Both our lads ride bikes and grandchildren love motorcycles.

We are so looking forward to putting the front wheel onto European tarmac and enjoying our time at The Magic Bike Rally. Enteral Feed and all.

Tweets by UKandbeyond

A road trip to Holy Island

May 23, 2023May 24, 2023Posted in Health, TravelTagged beach, bike, bike life, biker, blog, blogger, cancer, carcinoid syndrome, causeway, Celtic, Christianity, Christin, church, day out, family, harley-davidson, harleydavidson, health, Holy Island, Island, lindisfarne, monk, Motorbike, motorcycle, nasogastric, national trust, net cancer, neuroendocrinecancer, NHS, peg feed, RIG Feed, road trip, sea, Travel, tube feed, Writer5 Comments

The sun is shining, the days are longer what better time to take a trip across the sea. R ide the red machine and take a road trip to Holy Island. As we head down the A1 the sun continues to shine. Passing the big bear at Dunbar he sparkles in the sunlight. And since we were actually crossing the sea. We checked the tide times the night before. If you don’t get your timings correct you are either left stranded on the island or carted off in the sea. And we certainly didn’t want that. On seeing the sign Holy Island of Lindisfarne made my heart skip a beat. Well on our way to a road trip to Holy Island.

All set to cross the causeway of approximately 3 miles. It is far from a straight line. Which makes it an interesting and at times eerie ride. Breathtaking views, we were lucky, no rain, sunshine, and most beautiful sand stretched out in front of us.

It is a wonderful ride and a super walk around the island. I can recommend it to anyone. There is adequate parking. Plenty of places to get a coffee, ice cream, some lunch, etc. Some examples to get you going, Lindisfarne Castle, Priory, Lindisfarne Natural Nature Reserve, and The Parish Church of St Mary the virgin, all worth a visit. On the whole the island is a great day out. We love it. Rain, hail or shine.

Why is Holy Island so called? The first abbey on the island was established around 634AD by an Irish monk. It became a centre of Celtic Christianity.

Afternoon at Monikie Country Park

May 9, 2023May 30, 2023Posted in TravelTagged biker, Biking, blogger, Dundee, harley-davidson, Monikie Country Park, motorcycle, Scotland, Tayside, Travel4 Comments

First Sunday of the year and its time for a ride up to Dundee to meet up with some friends. It’s the weekend of King Charles III Coronation. A bank holiday weekend so right on cue its raining this morning as I look out the window. Has it dampened our spirits, heck no. We are looking forward to a run on the big red Harley and a run over the Queensferry Crossing to meet up with some chums at Kinross before heading for an afternoon at Monikie Country Park.

We met up then had a very damp misty run. up together. As we head up the A92 and crossed the Tay Bridge the saying pea soup came to mind. I normally enjoy a view of the rail bridge, it was nowhere to be seen. As we left Dundee and head towards Carnoustie the weather brightened. Well signposted for the park we were nearly there. Riding in the entrance the roar of the Harley-Davidsons was unmistakable. I smiled it was going to be a grand afternoon at Monikie Country Park.

Goings on in the Afternoon at Monikie Country Park

As we arrived we unpacked the bike. Taking off the precious cargo; the Taylor guitar and the Ukulele. As well as music stand, iPad, music, etc. We had other stuff too, my feed pump, some provisions. Away we went to catch up with the others. I was absolutely freezing when I got the the decorated marquee. Set out with Picnic table and chairs and a lovely buffet. We were entertained by Syd and Steve singing some tunes. Yes this Steve.

To warm up we visited the lovely cafe that is onsite at Monikie Country Park. And what a grand cafe it is. Absolutely fabulous hot chocolate. Reasonable prices, certainly don’t break the bank. It was super having a natter with everyone. Steve and I enjoyed a walk before we headed back home. Really is a super day out. The damp weather certainly didn’t damper our spirits.

The150 acre park has a lot to offer for sports enthusiasts, walkers, families, etc. As well as the beautiful green woodland there are watersports available including windsurfing, dingy sailing, kayaking and rowboats. For the nimble folks there is an adventure playground. BBQ area. Really is a wonderful Country Park near Carnoustie for a day out either for a walk with the dog, on your own or as we did as a get together with a bunch of friends.

After our toddle we headed back to the car park, loaded up the bike and made our way back. A different route home. This time down by Perth riding down the M90 rather than the A92. We rode passed the many pollytunnels which will soon be full of fruit ready for the pickers. Back over the Queensferry Crossing and before we knew it we were home. As usual Bella was waiting to greet us with a warm cuddle.

If you are in the area or looking for going for a trip to a country park. Think about giving Monikie Country Park a visit. Dogs, children, and motorbikes most welcome. We definitely enjoyed our afternoon at Monikie Country Park.

Pillions View on the Queensferry Crossing

Planning for Rudesheim on The Harley-Davidson®

May 6, 2023May 24, 2023Posted in Travel, UncategorizedTagged Bikelife, biker, Biking, Biking blog, cancer, carcinoid syndrome, Dr Elizabeth Johnston-Young, Germany, harley, harley-davidson, Magic bike, Magic Bike Rudesheim, motorcycle, nasogastric, Nestle, net cancer, Neuroendocrine, peg feed, Peptamin, Rhineland, RIG Feed, Rudesheim, Travel, travel blog, travel blogger, travelblog, TravellingLightUKandBeyond, Writer3 Comments

Well four weeks today and we will be packing for our dream trip to The Rhineland. Such an exciting time to be going together on our big red machine to a country that holds dear to my heart. So many miles in France together, taking wonderful summer holidays with the children, now this is our time. Our first European trip together alone on the bike. We are going to Germany and the Magic Bike Rally in Rudesheim. These next few weeks will be the exciting ones planning for Rudesheim on The Harley-Davidson®.

We received our stickers for our numberplate this week. Every other day something else happens or arrives and brings some excitement. Turn on the computer and have a look at social media and brighten up our evening. Seeing the progress of the rally preparations.

We have our cabin booked on the overnight ferry there and back. Hoping to get good sailings and not choppy seas. Already we have sought out The Harley-Davidson® dealerships. They are nearby to the fine little house staying there the 10 days we are away. The dealerships in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt looks fabulous, so looking forward to walking through their doors.

All in the planning for Rudesheim on The Harley-Davidson®

As long as I have a notebook and pen and a camera packed I will be equipped for our holiday. I will leave the bike prep to Steve, I know the bike will be in safe hands with Steve. Its going in for a service, MOT and new tyres the run up before we go. Essentially Passports, insurance, registration document etc is all in hand. Clothes as always we won’t have much clothing with us as our web address says ‘Travelling Light UK and Beyond’. My feed is getting posted this week in good time. Most importantly it will arrive at our holiday destination, our hostess kindly said the boxes of feed and be stored till we arrive.