The only way is up: Land's End to John o' Groats 2015

[Dillinger]

so you peddaling back ?

[patsycat]

Scots are the people. Scotch is the brown stuff.

And it was AIDS capital about 30 years ago - no longer.

[somtamslap]

Scots are the people. Scotch is the brown stuff.

I was wondering why I got awkward looks when asking for a quadruple scot and soda.

[somtamslap]

Bicycle retrieval from the Scotch capital demanded some 12 hours ensconced in a Virgin Rail carriage. I fucking hate Virgin Rail passionately, for it's their callous attitude to my plight which put me in this mess in the first place. I'm going to start a facebook page called 'Virgin Rail is a massive kunt' if anyone is interested in joining.

I left Kings Cross in London where lots of tourists could be found by platform '9 3/4' from the Harry Potter flicks. Guaranteed that this bloke will be updating his facebook profile photo in the next five seconds.



Arsebook might be a better fit.

I used the East Coast service today, which, funnily enough, traverses the length of Britain's east coast. Here I am in Doncaster - looks like it was constructed under Gulag rule...



Chugging over the river Tyne into Newcastle, mun...



But I must say the rest of Northumberland up to the Scottish border was steeped in sensational scenery - which the camera couldn't really pick out.

Here's Berwick on Tweed...



The North Sea kept me company for a couple of hours...



And quite remarkably...

Yessss! Ya foking dancer!



I repaired immediately to BK and celebrated with a Whopper...

[withnallstoke]

Well done slapper.

You seem to have captured Charlie Adam up there on the left.

[Smug Farang Bore]

WHOPPER EH...

To fukin gay..

Pub - beer - celebration....

Whopper - Harry Potter - gay....

We need to sort this.

[Dillinger]

And it was AIDS capital about 30 years ago - no longer.

How long have you been away now Pats ?

[Chittychangchang]

so you peddaling back ?

He'll be rolling back down

[charleyboy]

17 days in Edinburgh with a nothing but a crappy combination lock to keep it secure - and not a scratch on the beast.

Probably 'snurged' the saddle first.

No wonder it was still there!

[patsycat]

And it was AIDS capital about 30 years ago - no longer.

How long have you been away now Pats ?

30 years, missed the drug addiction and the AIDs pandemic by a cat's whisker. I got my Permit for Switzerland to live and work indefinetly. I did have friends that died. But not only in Edinburgh - in Paris, in Geneva, in New York etc.

And i was not interested in drugs apart from a wee smoke occasionly. But going to the disco - offered everything. I didn't partake.

The problem with Edinburgh was that they would not give clean needles to the drug users, so they shared. And then of course was the prolification of gay sex, without condoms - which the NHS did not give freely. It became AIDS central until Zurich took over.

I have been tested - all clear. I may have liked to have fun in my younger years but my life and health comes first. And i was always, and still am, a responsible adult when it comes to getting down and sweaty and dirty and and and .......!!!

Trainspotting is a great film, a classic. Supposedly they are doing a sequal.

[billy the kid]

knew a few in easterhale,, not sure about the spelling as was along time ago.
knew a few who died who were young and strong
all wrapped in tin-foil in the hospital.
it was a quick death then.
plenty were using needles that just got passed around
and i knew of at least one guy Darren with the illness
and he screwed around without the condom.
this was around mid 1980s.
it was rampant sex drugs and rock n roll.
folk getting shit-faced all over that area of Edinburgh.

[patsycat]

I know, and it is sad. Such a beautiful city. Last month i took the Airport bus into town (seven quid return) and just the first sight of the castle took my breath away. Even though i have been going there every year twice a year forever. That castle is so majestic and even for a person who takes it as a bit of furniture - it really does hit you in the face in a nice way.

I was sensible back in the day - which is probably why i am alive now. The number of friends that died is so upsetting. And as i don't live there and when i visit i ask about X or Y and am told so often . they died. And they were young.

Maybe i was boring, but i did party hard in that city. But not to the extent of putting my life on the line. And it was fun!! Dancing till the break of dawn etc.

I don't think it is still the AIDS capital of Europe. They cleaned it up good.

And the history that is seeped into her walls... Walk down the Royal mile from the castle to the other castle and you can feel it. And spit on the heart of midlothian. Otherwise you are doomed!!
Yes, Edinburgh is a female and is named the Athens of the North.

I would go back to live there, but it is too cold and that North wind can cut you in two.

But the people are good and nice and it's the only place where someone calls me Hen!!

[billy the kid]

calls me Hen!!

and a baby a bairn. awe, it's a lovely bairn.

yes a beautiful city.

[Iceman123]

knew a few in easterhale,, not sure about the spelling as was along time ago.

Are you thinking of Wester Hailes in Edinburgh?

This area was full of thieving, useless,unwashed, junkies.

[Dillinger]

Until The ice guy emigrated

[patsycat]

Like Pilton. Wester Hailes is not a nice place.

I must say, once Edinburgh gets into your life and your blood. It shall stay there forever. It is in mine, my mum and sister and a few nephews and the wee new bairn who is 8 weeks old all live there. That is where my heart is. With my family, but i couldn't live there again.

I lived in Marchmont. In front of the Meadows.

At the time of Tam White.

[Iceman123]

At the time of Tam White.

I knew Tam well RIP. Many good memories of Tam in Edinburgh.

I last saw him in Adelaide circa 2006, he came to play at the Festival and stayed with one of our mutual friends.

[pseudolus]

Funny as fook if having gone all the way up there to get the bike, Virgin yet again told Slap that he was not allowed to take the bike on the train again.

[patsycat]

I was just thinking, if you had parked your bike at Waverley about two weeks later. I could have nicked it!! In fact i'm surprised it wasn't nicked.

Tam White - Preservation Hall!! Great memories. Dancing on the tables.

When i learnt of his death, i cried like a wee baby. There is some of his stuff on You Tube, but not much. The man had a voice... Stormy Monday..

[billy the kid]

Wester Hailes in Edinburgh?

This area was full of thieving, useless,unwashed, junkies.
[/QUOTE]

you're the man Ice. spot on.

[billy the kid]

yet again told Slap that he was not allowed to take the bike on the train.

must be the colour. now if it had been red, white and blue.

odd never had a problem with the train taking the bike.

[patsycat]

Trains usually take bikes and pushchairs etc. Very odd.

Maybe they didn't understand his English accent. Or chose not to!!

[somtamslap]

Trains usually take bikes and pushchairs etc. Very odd.

Pats, try putting a cyclo-cross bike on a (soon to be slammed to within an inch of their fucking existence) Virgin Rail train on the last day of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - in fact, just try finding a seat on the fucker. Won't happen. Will not happen.

Crumbs. And there was me thinking you knew all there was about the Scotch.

[pseudolus]

Slap - I would have thought that a man of your legendary shagging status would have combined your trip with asian knocking shops the length and breadth of the land. What gives? Gone celibate?

[somtamslap]

But alas, my nuts disappeared 20 miles north of Hereford. Still trying to shake them out.