I've been given permission for this occasion already so i'm in. Like you said @andypandy , just a case of where!?
Northumberland (Bellingham) was a great GMU I'm sure you'll all agree, what's more very close to me so I'm a little in favour as these days I can't ride for hours. It also had everything we needed on the doorstep ,shops, pubs, hotels, B&B's and camping field, not to mention the overall Beauty of the area. But also realise a canny ride away for some of you guys and gals.
Well we'll have to be quick. I reckon a lot of next years accommodation is already booked up. Looks like Bellingham bunkhouse has been converted to a cottage so that's out.
Thats a real shame !!!! just read been converted into two king sized on-suite bedrooms and now caters for just four people.
I’d go to the GMU if it meant not going to Scotland. Only because it’s a frigging long way from the South coast. It’s also as far away from @Dave49 as I can get without actually getting my feet wet. Getting closer would make me nervous. Surely there’s somewhere equidistant? Forget that - you folks have struggled year after year to get a bunkhouse and other accommodation sorted. Not an easy job.
I looked for a chip shop in Salisbury a few weeks ago. There isn't one. I rode from there to Stockbridge and nothing their either. Romsey shop was closed, so i went to my local in Totton. 80+ mile round trip, just to end up back where i started. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bea...3c836dded28!2m2!1d-1.4985934!2d50.9141239!3e0
July is good for me but not overly important, anywhere in Scotland is fine although further up would be of more interest for me as I’ve still not spent any time reight upt top!
For the past couple of years, Mr. Sandi and I have talked about making the trek--and flight--to GMU. We're still quite interested so I'll keep tabs on this thread. Other than maps we have and commentary on this forum, we've precious little knowledge and no personal experience with the areas under consideration. He and I have considered combining GMU with some motorcycling through the UK. Any advice is most welcome!
If you were to include the south east of England in your tour I’d happily show you some nice routes. There are loads of nice places to visit throughout the UK. Wales is my current favourite.
That's frustrating, although not a bad ride around. There used to be a couple of chip shops in Salisbury but they are down side streets right in the centre - not sure if they are still there. Stockbridge would never allow a fish and chip shop - posh f*ckers! Just expensive pub meals and coffee shops.
I asked 2 people in Salisbury, they both said there was not a chip shop left. Kebabs, burgers, Chinese, and Indians, was about it. I stopped at the Crown, in Kings Somborne, which is a bikers pub. They had fish & chips on the menu, at £12.95, and not only would it take half an hour to get served., I would have needed 3 of them. So i gave that a miss. As you said, it was a nice ride out anyway. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Resta..._Crown_Inn-Stockbridge_Hampshire_England.html
Nothing booked up yet for 3rd week of July, or thereabouts. I've pencilled in the dates so they don't get booked up inadvertently.
Happy to be your guide to Cornwall if you find time to visit the SW of the UK (although July/August is the worst possible time as it will be full of Brit holiday makers)
If anyone can find a bunkhouse around the 3rd weekend in July that would be useful. I've had a quickish look around southern Scotland but couldn't find anything substantial, just a few odd rooms.
