Friday: just caught LM 50 at sunset en route to my dads place in Sunderland. One thought: auNTy needs better lighting if nightime jaunts on unfamiliar roads were to become a habit!Saturday: did LMs 14, 31 & then a pilgrimage to LM 62 "Hizzy's Cairn" up in the hills near Teviothead marking the site of the Helicopter crash, all a little spooky considering the recent McCrae tragedy.
Sunday: a SW Scotland loop LMs 63; 64; 60; 71; and a "could not find LM" at 61, so pic of the bike next to Crook Inn to net some points.
Monday: return trip home via LMs 9 & 10 it was very very windy, and like a fool unplanned I went to look for LM 22 on Morecambe front. The location of our first "incident". Having rode the Morecambe seafront road twice, leaning and countersteering against the onshore gale force wind. I realised without any research about the LM location, it wasn't going to be a quick find, so I opted for reduced points and a bike pic next to the coastguard building. Whilst slowly manouvering the bike into a "good" spot for a pic, a gust of wind caught the bike and took it beyond the point of no return. Although I got my foot down the bike had gone too far to stop it going any further, and I had to press the kill switch and gently lay the bike down. OK we recovered from that I managed to lift auNTy back up to find her unscathed, phew! Everything OK for the "enjoyment " of a slow cruise down the M6 with gale force westerly sidewind all the way home

"Sorry I had other things on my mind"

Upate last Sunday was a run up to Sth Yorks for LM 54, over to W Yorks for #55. It was a bit blustery on the way up, then on the way to LM55, as is normal in the pennines, the weather did a quick change. It started to rain and the wind got stronger, the small country lane to LM#55 has vehicle access only restriction....the village has park n walk set up for the sunday tourists. Considering the time and weather, in the good cause of charity, I continued to the village and the LM a small packhorse bridge. I got the evil eye from a "Ranger" as I was taking the pictures so didn't hang about, made an instant but slow exit, being considerate to the ramblers with their brats and dogs rambling down the lane.
The battle with the sidewind stayed with me all the way down the M6 home..... True Brit perverted fun! So far I've reached 52/89 LMs with only a few weeks remaining, its difficult to get time off (vacation!) work to do all of Scotland, so it looks like I'll have to settle for 100% England 100% Wales and some Southern Scotland LMs.......the Gold Award is in the bag points wise, plenty LMs done even allowing for mistakes. A Platinum Award might be possible but the Allrounder is off......which is a bit disappointing.......

Also you got to feel sorry for this guy:
"Now for the bad news......Monday I left Poole, went down to Lands End then up to Minehead, doing 4 LM's on the way,had a glorious run doing 370 miles, next day set off aiming for Haverfordwest, just approaching the tiny village of Mells for my first LM of the day when, at a cross roads a lady in an estate car ignored the give way signs and shot across from my left to right at about 30 mph, I tried to avoid her but just clipped the back end of her car, careered across the road, hit the kerb, shot across a grass verge where the bike 'high sided' and I did a 'Flying Farmer' over the bars into a ditch.....Had it been judged I would probably have scored 9.2 for style and flair! Like Paul, I jumped up and wanted to carry on but realised the bike would only go round in circles as the front forkes were badly twisted, so had to suffer another ride home in a recovery van.
But it's ok, the lady said:
' sorry, I had other things on my mind '
So RBR finished early, still got 10 to do..... But.... I got up and walked away, thats the main thing....... Ride Safe, Regards a badly bruised Bob"

Keep the Faith....(still going.....)

Sunday, so auNTy and I went in search of religion! And found it by way of an afternoon ride out to visit LM#36 St Peters an old [1406] oak timbered church in Melverley, Shropshire, I even ventured inside! I signed the visitors book and left a small donation for the church's upkeep, thought it only right as I'd helped myself to some of the free apples from the basket at church entrance.
Then onto LM 89, the old river bridge at Bangor Is Y Coed before heading for home.

WHAT's ON:
This Sunday is the testers run which finishes mid Wales so I think auNTy and I will venture once again into Wales, the run finishes at The National Cycle Museum (The Automobile Palace) at Llandrindod Wells, from here its onto LM86 and some more "motorhiking" to the hilltop Erwood Gun!
http://madeinbirmingham.org/testers.htm

Although I did contemplate combining some south coast RBR LM's with a visit to the Brighton Speed Trials, I thought better of it, and will save this day out to be enjoyed exclusively at the 2008 event!
http://www.thisbrighton.co.uk/culture-speedtrials.htm