Thanks for the feedback and suggestions folks.

I am busily saving my $$ and continuing to follow up your leads! I feel a trip to the map shop is in order :) there is nothing quite like opening up and poring over a proper paper map!

I know what you mean about preferring to ride your own bike Phoenix, but I'm practicing being a pillion and its definitely not the same, but I find I do get to check out the scenery without having to concentrate, so not all bad. Except perhaps when you nod off in the sunshine and smash helmets with your hubby when you go through a bump... Oops :(

Thanks for the thoughts walkabout. If there are two things that can ruin a ride its tourists and farm vehicles! Nothing like local knowledge!

Cheers

If you need any local info for South/Mid Wales, ie Castles, Roman ruins, best beaches, nice routes, campsites, hotels, events you'd be interested in, etc give me a shout.

We have some stunning roads and scenery around here. Most parts of the UK are very picturesque if you stay off the motorways.
As has been said previously, it's not a big place in comparison to most, but has masses of historical sites and various places of interest.

For example, if your going to Stonehenge (Most people do) there are quite a few other places of interest very close like quite a few white horses (Chalk figures carved into the side of the local hills) Woodhenge which is apparently older than Stonehenge, Avebury, which is a local village set in the middle of a very large stone circle, and Glastonbury which are all close by.
Castles you will have so many to choose from you could fill your whole trip just visiting them.
If there's anything specif you need info on I'll do my best to help :-)

Wayne

Sounds like a great trip I am really jealous. I am planning a trip to the UK and Ireland in 2017 when I can get long service leave as I want to do at least 6 months. I will ship my bike over. Hopefully by then I will have a Tiger 800.

I am going to London for a few days and then Ireland for a couple of weeks in June next year to attend a family gathering but unfortuanetly I wont be on a bike.

Good luck with your planning and I look forward to hearing about the trip when you are there as it will give me ideas for when I get over there on my bike.

Sorry a bit :offtopic: but I'm currently in Colombia on-route from Buenos Aires to NYC and have also ridden from home (UK) to India and back a couple of years ago but never done an extened trip around my home country!!! Better put it on the list :scooter:

Cheers
Pete

Hi TanMcG,

My wife and I have just got back from 7 weeks in the UK and Europe. Like yourselves, we both usually ride our own bikes but for travelling overseas one bike is a lot more practical -- plus she gets to enjoy the view rather than concentrating on the road!

We have previously hired motorbikes (USA and NZ) and sent our own bike to NZ (absolutely disastrous and would never consider this option again). This time we purchased a BMW R1150GS - same as my bike here - in the UK with the assistance of Chris at welovebikes1@aol.com. This turned out to be an excellent option for us and WAY cheaper than hiring. I understand you would need insurance if going to the continent but you MAY be able to get away without it if staying in the UK -- your risk, though. We managed to get insurance OK but in the end, it was never asked for or checked.

We live in northern Victoria and would be happy to discuss with you anything that may help you in planning your trip.

Plenty of Red Squirrels here Wildlife And Birdwatching at Ainsdale,Formby and Freshfield. Coastal Birdwatching Sites In Merseyside and its on a very nice piece of coastline north of Liverpool on the North West cooast

Iainj