DSRL Northumberlan UK Castle Tour

[allanj255]

Hi Juice. Well here is DSRL on tour. The castles are Alnwick (Where the first Harry Potter film was shot), Edlingham and Walkworth. If weather holds, heading for the England Scotland border tomorrow so will post some more with the all important name signs
Allan http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/alnwickcastle.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/edlingham.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/edlingham2.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/walkworth2.jpg

[Rocky]

Whooo Hooooo, DSRL goes international. Great pics Allan.

[Dusty]

Wow, thats awesome!!!

[Juice]

Thanks man, the kids got a kick out of the castle pic. They love Harry Potter. Looking forward to seeing more from your side of the pond.....

[JayD]

::thumbsup:: Alan

[Save-the-Manatee]

I would love to know the history behind those old structures. Thanks for taking us along. Most of us will only see such sights in a photo.

[allanj255]

Thanks man, the kids got a kick out of the castle pic. They love Harry Potter. Looking forward to seeing more from your side of the pond.....
Hey Juice I will get some pictures inside the castle where Harry Potter first learnt to fly for the kids. Weather looks like it will hold so off to the scotland England Border tomorrow.
We are spoilt for history in Northumberland. I live within 30 miles of 10 or so Castles dating from about 1100 AD and 15 miles from Hadrians wall which is about 1900 years old but we pay for it with the Cr*p weather which keeps us softies off the road
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/31_hadrians_wall.jpg

[Save-the-Manatee]

to hell with the kids I wanna see.











































:wall:



Hey Juice I will get some pictures inside the castle where Harry Potter first learnt to fly for the kids. Weather looks like it will hold so off to the scotland England Border tomorrow

[SVTFreak]

I would love to know the history behind those old structures. Thanks for taking us along. Most of us will only see such sights in a photo.

History sumed up. One guy ruled. Others wanted to. One guy built big castle. Other guys beat him up. Another guy ruled, built another big castle. Other guys beat him up. Another guy ruled and built big castle. Repeat till today where story continues as above!

Oh, and keep in mind that the winner wrote (and still writes!) the history books....

[allanj255]

Here is a link to my web site for my other hobby Metal detecting
http://abdetectorclub.tripod.com/

[2Evil4U]

Wow! I was in Bolton last March for work and we were shown around by someone who knew how to drive on the left. (Thank God.) I'm amazed by the history just sitting around nearly wherever you look in the UK. We've got a lot of significant stuff over here, but it is all only about 250ish years old. Not quite the same. (And I grew up in CT around where the really old stuff is.)

[JayD]

Wow,
Your hearts had to have been racing
when you and your mates found that large cache of Roman coins from the 1st century (AD)



The only 1800 year old coin I have is the lowly "Widows mite"
that I found........................









at a coin dealer in the French Quarter in New Orleans :D

[Juice]

Are any of the castles 100% in tact or restored?



Hey Juice I will get some pictures inside the castle where Harry Potter first learnt to fly for the kids. Weather looks like it will hold so off to the scotland England Border tomorrow.
We are spoilt for history in Northumberland. I live within 30 miles of 10 or so Castles dating from about 1100 AD and 15 miles from Hadrians wall which is about 1900 years old but we pay for it with the Cr*p weather which keeps us softies off the road
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/31_hadrians_wall.jpg

[Britton]

Awesome pics! I have spent a fair amount if time exploring castles of Bavaria and France. I'd like to do the UK next year. This year I am heading to the Umbria region of Italy. Can you please bring me a bike to ride while I am there? :D

[Badger]

wow that is so cool

[scooterhose]

:1stplace:Popcorn2

Great stuff!

Thanks12

[allanj255]

Correction to text. Fault on system will not let me edit my last post so I have posted text again. Allan

A few miles away lies the Village of Otterburn The scene of a bloody battle resulting in 10,000 men been killed in 1 day in the fight between England & Scotland in 1388. Despite the leader of the Scots' been killed on the field, the Scot's went on to win the battle.

[allanj255]

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1699-1.jpg

[Juice]

Very cool, :1stplace:




http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1699-1.jpg

[Save-the-Manatee]

Cool photos dude. Keep it up, we demand more!

[Dusty]

Scotland huh? Its cool to see that shirt in such a far away place. Motorcycle are so much more then just fun and transportation. They are a mean in which people reach out and connect. Damn, glad to have you here Allan.

[allanj255]

Here is another Scotland pic without my nappa in the way
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/scot.jpg

[Rocky]

How about sharing that ink in the ink thread.


http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2686


Here is another Scotland pic without my nappa in the way
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/scot.jpg

[allanj255]

Have re-posted pictures below as there was a problem with the post I did when site was playing up.
First stop on the way to Scottish Border was Otterburn. The site of a battle between England & Scotland in 1388 when 10,000 men were killed in 1 day.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1712.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1718.jpg
Now off to Carter Bar. The elevated border between England & Scotland.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1706.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1702.jpg

A quick about turn and back in to England

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1700.jpg
Then back over the top to Elsdon in my native Northumberland Where the body of Henry Winter was hung to rot after he murdered a local old women in 1791
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/DSCF1729.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/gibbet.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/10-20-2007035138PM.jpg
Hope to head up the East Coast to Scotland next week with some more castles to view and the spectacular crossing on the River Tweed between England & Scotland.

[Juice]

I wanna geaux ride Scotland!!!!!!!!!

[ONE LOVE]

:1stplace:


History sumed up. One guy ruled. Others wanted to. One guy built big castle. Other guys beat him up. Another guy ruled, built another big castle. Other guys beat him up. Another guy ruled and built big castle. Repeat till today where story continues as above!

Oh, and keep in mind that the winner wrote (and still writes!) the history books....

[feelergaugephil]

I just got back from my home town (Manchester, UK) and did the tour thing with my son, saw Skipton Castle, Bolton Abbey and Hull, Blackpool and other places, great pics mate.
Phil.

[Zutopong]

Awesome, thanks for sharing. I will ride the UK one of these years. Hopefully sooner than later.

[Fitty]

For some reason I just saw this. Great pics Allan! Thanks!

[allanj255]

Hoping to post some more pics next week with the new T shirt.Looking to head up east coast to Dunstanburgh Castle and Holy Island.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/dunstanburgh.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/lindisfarne.jpg

[allanj255]

A quick blast on the 1150R to the Borders today. Weather was dry sunny and not to cold for Northumberland in April
Norham Castle was a mighty stronghold located on a rocky bluff on the south bank of the River Tweed. Its location, just half the river's width away from the border between England and Scotland. Norham was one of the strongest of the border castles, and the most often attacked by the Scots. Besieged at least 13 times - once for nearly a year by Robert Bruce - Between 1136 and 1513 the Scots successfully captured Norham Castle four times and were repelled five times. it was called 'the most dangerous and adventurous place in the country'. It sits right on the England Scotland border
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/norham1.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/norham3.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/norham4.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/norham5.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/norham2.jpg

[Juice]

Kick ass Allan!

[king4456]

So much history right at your fingertips. Got to get over there one day!

[allanj255]

Any time you guys are over - I will be more than happy to give you an "insiders tour" of the best castles n pubs

[laceyj]

totally awesome thanks for sharing!

[allanj255]

Another short blast to the Border, I was able to use my bike for work yesterday and called in at Etal Castle - about 6 miles from Norham - the last castle in my post above. In 1513 the castle fell to the army of King James IV of Scotland during his failed invasion of England. Shortly after, King James was killed nearby during the Battle of Flodden, when a hastily recruited army of 20,000 Northumbrians decisively beat his army of 30,000 Scots.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/etalcastle.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0210.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0211.jpg

[Juice]

Awesome, as always!!!!!!!!

[allanj255]

Ok guys, I hope to take you back 2000 years tomorrow -

[scooterhose]

Awesome, as always!!!!!!!!

+1

I find castles interesting.

[allanj255]

I was riding in the Borders today when I stumbled upon 15 War Graves from WWII in the village church yard. They were in a little hamlet, miles from anywhere up a single track road. As always Commonwealth War Graves are immaculately kept – even in the middle of nowhere. British, Canadian, New Zealand & Australian aviators are laid to reat here in the 15 graves.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/Borders/Fogowargraves.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/Borders/Fogowargraves2.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/Borders/FogoCIMG0223.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/Borders/FogoCIMG0221.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/Borders/FogoCIMG0220.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/Borders/FogoCIMG0222.jpg



What caught my eye were 2 Royal Navy aviators graves from HMS Pretoria Castle, which in herself had an interesting history – You never know what you will find off the beaten track
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/Borders/FogoCIMG0224.jpg

HMS Pretoria Castle (F61) was an armed merchant cruiser and escort aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She had previously been the ocean liner Pretoria Castle of the Union-Castle Line; built at Harland & Wolff shipyards in Belfast, Northern Ireland and launched in 1938.

She was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in October 1939, and converted to an armed merchant cruiser with 6-inch (150 mm) and 3-inch (76 mm) guns, entering service in November 1939. In this role she served mainly in the South Atlantic.

In July 1942 she was bought outright by the Navy for conversion to an escort carrier at the Swan Hunter shipyards in Tyne and Wear. She was commissioned in this role in July 1943 and was operated as a trials and training carrier, seeing no active combat service.

In 1945 she twice became part of aviation history, firstly when British test pilot Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown landed Bell Airacobra Mk1 on her flight deck - the first carrier landing made using an aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage, due to a declared emergency during initial trials for rubber deck landings planned for future carriers, and then by hosting the first ever landings and take-offs by a glider, performed by John Sproule in a Slingsby T.20 as part of research into 'Round-down' turbulence.

Post-war, the ship was sold back to the Union-Castle Line in 1946 and converted back to a passenger liner, being renamed the Warwick Castle and operating on routes from England to South Africa. She was eventually sold and scrapped in Barcelona in 1962.

[I_FLY_LOW]

Very interesting!

[Juice]

Wow, some were just kids. Very nteresting Allan, thanks for sharing.

[Steve Diaz]

Awesome thread. I love places with history.

[allanj255]

In the heart of Northumberland today along Hadrians Wall

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0250-1.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0253.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0244.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0248.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0243.jpg
The wall has been around for about 2000 years and is in reasonable condition - a lot was robbed out to build houses, churches, cow sheds etc over the years.

Highland Cattle
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0115-2.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/allanj255/CIMG0118-2.jpg

[2Dogs]

Hadrian was such a sissy.

"I'm not man enough to fight the barbarians. I will build a will to hide behind."

[Zutopong]

Nice Pics Allan. Please keep them coming. Might be my only chance to see the UK.

[Steve Diaz]

Awesome stuff.