travels Archives - Travelling Light UK and beyond

It’s feel good Friday I am riding pillion on our beloved Fattie. Heading for Elginhaugh Farm to meet up with a group of friends for a leisurely ride on motorcycles. Most of us became biking chums at at Dunedin Chapter Scotland HOG #9083. It is the end of the working week, the sun is shining with warm temperatures, we are in our beautiful country Scotland, the restrictions are easing and we are riding Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. What a great way to wind down on a Friday night. The suggestion for our regular weekly run is an evening bike ride to Eyemouth.

We congregate in the car park, have a seat at one of the outdoor tables. I sit down by Deke and we blethered about our trip to London and his adventures with his new controls on his bike. The waitress comes and takes orders or those who want a drink, although my feed is on, the temperature is fairly hot and I take advantage and get a soft drink. As the rest of our friends arrive I take advantage of sitting without all my protective gear on in the heat. Everyone is here and we are ready for the off, I put on my jacket and helmet. Switch on the Sena Communication Kit. Enabling me to talk to Steve on our bike ride to Eyemouth. And what a journey it was.

A trip down the city bypass

We head onto the Edinburgh city bypass for a very short distance and turn off at the junction heading for the A68 signposted Jedburgh. The most direct and quickest way to Eyemouth is straight down the A1 however we are riding bikes and its Feel Good Friday. We have beautiful roads in Scotland shame not to use them.

As the group of us ride up the A68 in convoy, we climb uphill and away from the beautiful view of Edinburgh, we turn left at the signpost for Haddington on the A6093. The lush green verges, tall hedges and stunning rolling farm fields. Fabulous scenery to ride along to after a difficult week. As we approached our home village Pencaitland, the only set of lights at the bridge changed to red, giving us a few seconds to stop, all bunch together and take a breath.

At the end of the village we took a right hand turn towards Gifford, and headed up the winding road . We headed up and drove through East Saltoun, the road to Gifford, riding along the most stunning scenery, beautiful trees overhanging the road. We took the scenic route to Spott, driving through Papple and Stenton and onto Spott. As we approached Spott at the roadside there is a witches stone. Spott plays host to the last executions of the Scottish witch hunts of the 17th and 18th centuries when several alleged witches were executed at Spott Loan in October 1705. As we arrived at the roundabout we took the A1 and headed for Eyemouth.

And onto the A1……

The ride down the A1 was fairly fast on the two lane 70 mile per hour road. Although the cool air was a welcome breeze on this very warm evening. As we approached the sign for Eyemouth we turned left and drove into the small Berwickshire town. This fine town is only 5 miles from the English border. It boasts a working harbour; fishing still takes place and has been doing so since the 13th century. Tourists visit the harbour to see the seals. With its location the small town makes a lovely holiday destination, it was evidently busy the Friday evening we arrived.

The small town of approximately 3500 people has a lovely holiday park to take a break, there are a few lovely things to do. Including Eyemouth Museum, Rib Trips ,Gunsgreen House, the beach.

When we parked up the bikes there were 32 people queued outside the fish and chip take away. Some of us went to the Indian restaurant, others bought a pizza, burger or kebab out of a different take away business. They were very busy too. Others had a pack up with them. All in all there was food for all.

Me being me I needed to go to the loo, all that soft drinks, my peg feed running, my bladder thought it was about to explode. I found a local and asked if there were public toilets. They pointed me in the right direction. Not far from where we were parked. I toddled to the loos. Open, clean, fresh paper, etc, excellent.

After food and a blether, it was time to go home. It was decided it would be straight up the A1 home.

Staying in Boggs Holdings, Pencaitland it didn’t take long to get home.

What a lovely evening.

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Have a great day.

Elizabeth and Steve

Midweek, mid month in April, the sun is shining Steve has just returned home to Sunny Boggs Holdings after a busy day. Bella the Labrador fetches his wallet runs up the hallway wagging her tail excitedly. She comes back down looking not quite as happy. Something else in her mouth, I spy it, she is gently carrying my make up bag. I can imagine what’s going on in her head, ah ha Mum and Dad are going out, that dreaded bag is a give away. And yes she is spot on. We are heading into Auld Reekie to see Mike and The Mechanics.

Genesis……

We have an absolute love for music, both playing and listening. As a teenager Genesis was music that was played, listened and purchased. Vinyl, cassettes, CDs and videos. Coming out Initially as a side project from Genesis. Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford formed Mike and The Mechanics in 1984.

We have followed this group since the beginning. Loved a great many songs written by these talented song writers. Vocals sung in fabulous tune and instruments played in rhythm to a beat that makes me feel at one.

The concert was in The Usher Hall in Edinburgh. A majestic building in the capital city. Edinburgh is the city of our birthplace. A city that we hold so dear. The one that I gave birth to both our sons. We got married in. Got our first flat. So many memories we have. Auld Reekie you have a special place in our heart.

Driving Into Auld Reekie

Driving into Edinburgh is a fairly simple one from East Lothian. Leaving our Cottage in the Boggs and drive up the single track road. Its a grand time 6 o’ clock in the evening the sun is still shining however the road is fairly quiet. As we drive up the country road its pleasurable to see the last of the daffodils hanging in there and the blossom on the trees coming out in full flow. Taking a slow drive up passed the farm fields to enjoy watching the spring lambs galloping along, chasing one another wagging their tails. As we take the approach onto the A1 I gaze at the height of the crops in the fields, the beautiful carpet of yellow taking my breath away. Now getting tall enough the heads of the oil seed rape look as though they are dancing when swaying in the wind.

To see Mike and The Mechanics……. bringing back memories……….

Approaching the city we pass the multi purpose sports centre, Meadowbank Stadium, I speak of how I remember going to the stadium as a youngster with my parents to watch the wresting. Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, oh my those were the days. As teenagers we used the stadium to play badminton, we hired courts. There is a super running track around the stadium. Meadowbank was originally built in 1970 to accommodate the commonwealth games.

Around the area of the sports centre is highly populated with a good amount of flats, colony houses, schools, churches, etc. Not to mention a wide selection of shops including, hairdressers, barbers, grocers, etc. As we vere to the left we head in the direction of Holyrood Palace, sitting at the bottom of the Royal Mile. We drive up the High Street and I’m heartened to see at 6.45pm in the evening shops still open, people walking around. The high street has a wonderful selection of shops with cashmere sweaters, Scottish jewellery. There are certainly quite a few places to sit and have something to eat and drink.

Along the Grassmarket, take a turn then find a parking space!

Heading for the Grassmarket, passing people carrying cases going to their hotel. Others walking along looking like they are heading out for the evening. Lots of inviting places to eat. Edinburgh looks busy. Driving up the Grassmarket, then hey presto we are taking a turn to drive down Lady Lawson Street. Looking for a parking space – too much hassle, for the price of it, the NCP car park. Quick and easy. Get parked and then a short walk across the road to The Usher Hall.

Taking our seats and a step back in time

As we were warmly welcomed by the staff at The Usher Hall we had both been looking forward to this Gig since we got the tickets in 2022. Super seats, excellent view. Steve goes and gets himself a cola and me a pink gin. Got to get the priorities right. From the moment the band stepped on stage they did not disappoint. Oh my goodness, the room was rocking. Of course it helped they sang my ultimate favourite Genesis song Follow you, follow me. The memories came flooding back and I thought of myself belting out as I was walking back from the university library all those years ago. The rendition of Beggar on a beach of gold was outstanding; I can visualise my Mother singing as she is dusting, the hifi playing so loud she didn’t notice me walking in the sitting room. As they sang the tears ran down my cheeks. And when they did I can’t dance and someone from the audience did the actions on the floor in the stalls. Absolutely fabulous. Yes goes without saying they burst out Living Years.

The Lights were tremendous. Only disappointment it went far too quickly. Blink of an eye and it was over. How does the saying go? Time goes quickly when you are enjoying yourself. And yes was certainly doing that. The trip into Auld Reekie to see Mike and The Mechanics was an enjoyable emotional one.