I'm lucky enough to be comfortably above any flood risk but would like to support small cafes and shops that have suffered from flooding when the weather warms up and I'm on the road again.
I'm sure many of my fellow bikers are similarly charitably minded (we're respected for that at least) and that our support would be as much appreciated as our 'tourist' pennies.
So, what towns and villages do you know of that have been flood affected and are there any particular places which have suffered but survived that you would recommend for a visit? Anywhere in the country - there will be bikers nearby or near enough to make a visit.
You're all welcome to come to my spring bbq. £500 a ticket and I'll have a new bike in no time lol. Always happy to spend a few quid on a nice breakfast anywhere on the planet. I'll have to buy a fresh bike first of course. KC superbikes were flooded (again) I may help them out by buying a gixxer. On a funnier note . My 85 year old mother said that I should grow up and stop riding motorcycles. I pointed out that she was still riding motorbikes till she had her last accident with a truck at the age of 65. Apparently that was different lol.
When you free for a postponed Xmas lunch (turkey and trimmings not guaranteed)?
If you can insert a decimal point in to your ticket price you might get takers - who'd even bring along the odd sausage (although I believe your own are rather exceptional )
Got nods on a cafe in Dumfriesshire, but don't know if it was flood damaged, as you say a nice breakfast anywhere will do really.
"Five places for your holidays in flood-hit northern England The PM has urged Britons to visit northern areas that suffered flooding this winter. On this occasion you should listen to him • After the floods: how tourism in the Lakes and York hopes to recover"
December storms and flooding caused serious disruption in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, affecting tourist businesses, as well as people’s homes. In Scotland, Ballater, Braemar, Aboyne and Aberdeen’s Garthdee were worst affected by Storm Frank. The tourist town of Ballater was described as being like a “war zone”, after the banks of the river Dee burst, destroying a caravan park and wrecking homes. Last week, the Queen’s neighbouring Balmoral estate offered a 40% discount on the estate’s holiday cottages to help bring visitors to area and boost the local economy."
Ballater, here I come.
Just need the sunshine and some slightly warmer weather.
I'll have to wait until I get back home, then buy a bike. I would be too embarrassed to arrive in a car , looking like some sad arsed wannabee. Oh the shame of it all. A grown man without a motorcycle. If I don't get a bike soon I'll have to have therapy. On a lighter note: I'm having my 6foot by 3foot double ender bath exchanged fir a 6foot by 3foot double ended spa bath. Drinks in the bath will never be the same again lol
Their suspicions will simply be confirmed Dusty. Have you been settled up for your bike? Time to go find your new wheels...
I've planned a route to visit Ballater while I'm up in Perthsire at Easter. Still looking for opportunity to do something down Cumbria way, maybe Cockermouth in conjunction with the Lake land passes?
Izzy, I'm still living put in the woods in mi little wooden lodge. Nowhere to keep a bike. No point buying a bike to sit and rot outside. Need to get back home. </p><p>2005 flood it took 16 month to reinstate my house. </p><p>Most likely looking at summer 2007. </p>
Aww Dusty, that's a pure shame. No Easter camp at Berwick then? We Border Reivers might fall apart without you, especially as Steve is on a sabbatical.
There's an almost new VFR with 600 miles at mi local. It's under 8 grand. Proper bargain. A 2014 cbf1000 3000mile under 6 1/2 grand. I gave them both a nice pat on the seat. Mmm. fekn floods.
Still fancy a gixxer. BUT mi local Suzy Dealer was also under 5 foot of water. Ofcourse. I blame the southerners for the flood. Drinking far too much pretentious bottled water rather than Cumberland reservoir water.Just because we all piss in it before it disappears down the pipe is no excuse. Cumberland piss water is environmentally friendly and similar to their beer lol.
Went to Ballater today as promised. Bit sad walking along Bridge Street past all the empty shops with heaters and dehumidifiers on or, if they're further along, joiners in refitting to get them open again. Spent a few pennies on a plate of soup and a mug of tea but I've noted a cafe that's still closed to go back to next time I'm up here. It's not much, but it's something.
Nice idea JP, but it's a feckin' long way for everyone I know.
Still I'll see if I can find a FB or web page and find out when they open again. Might be better to find a long summer day for it than their actual re-opening - I'll ask at next social if it's of interest. Ta x