Very nice photos. It looks like perfect riding weather!
Yes, I watched Marlon's video a few years ago. I really enjoy his laconic Aussie humour. WRT his criticisms of the W800, mine has braided front brake line, after market full exhaust system, after market shocks and modified forks - it's a pretty bike and well-sorted too. Mrs checked it was a keeper before splurging out for that uniquely well-suited registration number.
But I seem to remember that Marlon was generally very pleased with the standard bike.
Have you seen his honest review of the Triumph Bonneville? He doesn't spare his punches . . .
Bob, the Scottish Borders has lots of fortified houses, Greenknowe Tower is typical, but while Newark Castle has the same form it is indeed a big one.
Memory is imperfect and over my lifetime I have visited quite a few castles and ruins. I think I stood inside the ruin when I was a child, but now there is no public access to the interior. It's very much a ruin. In one of the pictures you might see some wooden beams supporting a floor but I think this represents work that has been done to secure the structure from falling down. As far as I know there are no plans at present to renovate the castle.
Like many such places, Newark has a grim history - various murders and a dreadful massacre. But it manages to be a pretty and pleasant spot these days. Used to be very visible from the nearby main road, perched on a vantage point above the Yarrow Water, but coniferous plantations around the tower have grown so tall that only the upper part is visible unless you approach close up.