Alarm set for 7 but the wind and rain battering the window made sure I woke up early in the youth Hostel. Down to the Italian restaurant for my porridge breakfast. Just as I was leaving the 2 lejoggers I had raced towards Carlisle came in, we discussed tactics and routes for the day and I headed off. I had time to kill so I detoured to take photos on the way eg Neptunes staircase, Commando Memorial etc. Up through Spean Bridge, along the side of Loch Lochy and Loch Oich before stopping at Lovat Restaurant for lunch of Haggis on jacket potato then I discovered they offered free wifi so it seemed an opportunity to upload yesterdays blog. Just at that the 2 cyclists I’d spoken to at breakfast time came in as they’d spotted my bike parked up and ordered lunch. I spent so much time uploading stuff that they paid up and went. When I requested my bill the girl said she assumed we were together so they’d paid it – happy days – if I see them at the end I’ll buy them a drink. As I set away again towards Loch Ness it got colder and colder and windier and really started to rain – so apologies that there’s no photo of Nessie as everything had to be watertight – I did see her honest!! Loch Ness is huge but before I knew it I was out the end and heading towards Inverness, across the Kessock Bridge and onto the A9, briefly (which was hairy) before heading onto the Black Isle and my resting place at Avoch (pronounced ‘Och’ as with something stuck in the back of your throat). I was cold and wet so took the unusual decision to eat before I checked in. I had originally intended doing some dolphin spotting but as I was so cold and wet dolphins were the last thing on my mind. The Station Hotel didn’t look much from the outside but once inside it’s a different story, the décor is good, staff friendly (even though I looked like a drowned rat) and the food was just what I wanted and not overpriced then it was up a very steep hill to my B&B (http://www.go-bedandbreakfast.co.uk/ardvreckan/_) for a shower and coffee before using more free wifi to update this blog entry.
search my blog…
-
Recent Posts
- 2016 Adventure
- New year, new challenges
- 2011 in review
- A week on – reflections of my LeJog
- Day 10 – Wick to JOG to finish and being a tourist
- Day 9 – Black Isle to Wick – 93 miles – it was a battering cross/head wind
- Day 8 – Fort William to Black Isles – 81 miles – the worst weather but a free lunch
- Day 7 – Dumbarton to Fort William – 91 miles – I couldn’t have got this one more wrong!!
- Day 6 – Gretna to Dumbarton 105 (grueling) miles and 3 punctures in first 18 miles
- Day 5 – Preston – Gretna Green 95 miles including Shap
www.twitter.com/nigelbradley
- @claireprospert Great achievement 2 days ago
- @easyJet Sent the pm, thanks 2 weeks ago
- @easyJet Hi, I sent the details. Thanks 2 weeks ago
- @easyJet I'm heading to mallorca this Fri returning following weds. Uploaded passenger info and checked in on my pc… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 2 weeks ago
- Darien, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory #tippingpoint 1 month ago
- @MoneySavingExp nwl.watersavingkit.com 1 month ago
- @MartinSLewis northumbria water are giving away free water saving devices. Even postage is free. Good on nwl 1 month ago
- Perfect villain #lizcarrbondvillain 2 months ago
- David coote, what you watching with that shocking non penalty decision? 2 months ago
- #SaturdayKitchen i might be tge onky person who has found big zuu so loud and overpowering #ouch 2 months ago
Archives