Riverfurm

  Left Edinburgh early to avoid city traffic—but then the GPS issues started. All my routes were preplanned, but the GPS didn’t account for road and street construction. I kept getting rerouted from one detour to another. Eventually, I gave up, shut the GPS down, and decided to just head in one direction— north . After about 40 minutes, I re-entered the route. It asked if I wanted to start from my current location. I hit yes . Once I got out of the city, the fog rolled in thick . I could barely see the vehicle in front of me. I had to stop often just to clean my visor and glasses—it was slow going. Then the next issue started. The instrument panel on the bike began flashing multiple error codes . But oddly enough, the bike ran fine. Eventually, I rode out of the fog and spotted a roadside restaurant with a sign that said “Motorcyclists Welcome.” I pulled in, grabbed a breakfast sandwich and a coffee, and texted Paul from Celtic Rider. He replied that he was at a family event b...

After wandering the Royal Mile and soaking in the city, I ducked into a small place in Old Town for lunch. I think it was a meat pie—flaky, rich, and comforting—with some green stuff Nancy would’ve made me eat. Probably kale or something close enough. She always tried to sneak in vegetables. I smiled to myself, thinking, "Okay, Nancy... I ate the green stuff." With a full belly and the afternoon ahead of me, I decided it was time to find some gifts. I wanted to bring something back for the girls in my neighborhood and others who helped me with Nancy during those hard months. Just a small thank-you. Down a quiet side street, I found a charming little jewelry shop. Inside, I searched for something that spoke of Scotland and meaning. Celtic knots caught my eye—those beautiful, endless designs. I picked out two pairs of earrings and a silver cross inlaid with a delicate pearl. Simple, elegant, and heartfelt. Nancy would have approved. I left the shop feeling good, but reality...

  The ride from Ambleside to Edinburgh wasn’t too bad. I stayed within the beauty of the Lake District for a good while—rolling hills, stone fences, and quiet stretches that let my mind wander. But as I got closer to the city, the traffic picked up. Edinburgh quickly reminded me of New York City—only with shorter, older buildings. The kind that look like they’ve seen centuries of stories. Navigating into town was a bit of a maze. Roundabouts with hidden exits, surprise ramps, and busy intersections tested my patience. The hotel didn’t offer parking or even a spot to unload, so I followed their directions to a nearby garage. Or at least, I thought I did. I ended up at the wrong parking garage. Thankfully, I wasn’t charged. Eventually, I found the right one—about a third of a mile downhill from the hotel. They had a system where the camera was supposed to read my plate and apply a discount code from the hotel. Of course, that didn’t go smoothly either. So there I was—two uphill hi...

  Saying Goodbye to the Isle of Man It’s time to say goodbye to the Isle of Man. My first visit here—and what a special one it’s been. The island may only be 33 miles long and 19 miles wide, but I covered a good bit of it. I found beautiful, peaceful places to leave some of Nancy’s ashes, each one chosen with love and care. Along the way, I spoke with a few people who were also carrying grief of their own. We shared stories, a few tears, and a quiet understanding that sometimes strangers meet for a reason. Tomorrow starts early—9 a.m. ferry to Heysham, England. From there, it's off to the Lake District, to a place called Ambleside, where I’m staying at The Temperance Inn, a bar-restaurant-inn right on Lake Road. The ferry ride was smooth. Same routine: arrive early, check in, wait, then load—motorcycles first. This time, I made a point to remember which level and which stairs I used. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour crossing, so a little preparation helps. Off the ferry and onto Eng...

  A Big Wheel and a Hot Climb – Visiting the Laxey Wheel While on the Isle of Man, I decided to take a break from the winding roads and do something touristy. That meant heading to the largest working waterwheel in the world: the Laxey Wheel—also known as Lady Isabella . The ride there was short but scenic, winding through small, quiet villages. The last stretch, though, was a challenge: a steep, narrow road led up to the wheel. I was thankful nothing was coming the other way—there wasn’t much room for negotiation. It was a hot day, and I was in full riding gear. I couldn’t wait to park the bike, shed the layers, and stash everything in the bags. Free at last, I walked up the path and bought a ticket. The wheel is massive— 72 feet in diameter and built into the hillside above the village of Laxey. It was originally constructed in 1854 to pump water from the nearby lead and zinc mine. Since there’s no coal on the island, it’s entirely water-powered. Here's how it works: water ...

 After the Motor Museum I rode  to the western town of Peel. Mostly on the roads they use for the TT race. Peel is a small fishing town with a castle. You can tour the castle, but there was a line. And would rather ride. So I passed on the tour. Heading to the Southern tip of Isle of Man Port Erin. Many seals sunny them selfs Some big ones Had lunch at the Sound Cafe. Very close to this location. One more day in the Isle of Man.