Longest distance. Rain. Then showers. But feeling fine now. Poor Vodafone dongle internet so more tomorrow.
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Moved laptop to corner of room and managed to get the hotel wifi. We are so far north we haven't noticed the dark.
The day started very very wet. I dressed prepared for battle with 3/4 length bib tights, 2 shirts, my fleece, rain legs and goretex, and all crevices fully vaselined as we found the Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream was washed off by the water.
It was like someone was throwing buckets of water over us. But the gear held up, and the fleece kept the clammy inside of the goretex off the skin.
There were some track options, but we like most, stuck to the A82 to Inverness. We stopped for teas, scones and soup at the Invergary Hotel after 20 miles at 12:00. No caramel slices so had to manage with a twix which is no substitute for the real thing. Of course it stopped raining when we went in the hotel, and started again when we left.
The road went along the lochs, including Loch Ness, and was fast going as there was nothing else to do and we wanted to get it over and done with. Then the sun came out at time, and the rain became normal pitter patter type rain. I removed the fleece as I was getting too hot, but thats better than being too cold.
Tea was at Drumnadrochit where we met up with some others. Tea and caramel slices, plus I had an "empire biscuit" which was a "jam dodger" with iceing and a jelly on top. Real "Just William" food. We started off sitting outside, but the rain moved us inside. Ken and Big Nige were sounding very fed up with the weather, but we were fine.
Then the climb out, off the A82 now on a minor road to Beauly. 15% for 3/4 mile. Cherry was negative at the thought, but we trundled up with a short stop for the breather near the top. Legs must be getting fitter, and certainly the thighs are expanding into tree trunks. A lovely run then down a broad valley with sunshine and light showers. We got in the groove and and upped the pace as the miles ticked away.
Final climb was out of Dingwall to the Old Eventon Road (signposted "The North avoiding low bridge". We should have risked the low bridge as the road when up, right, up again, the up again. I de-goretexed as I was still too hot, as we went through lighter showers with views over the estuary with oil rigs off Inverness and down to the campsite for tea and jam donoughts. Just in time as the heavans opened again (cliches were invented for this). We got a lift to our hotel, The Teanich Castle (just off the Teanich Industrial Estate in Alness!) which looked grand from the outside but rooms were sparse and no bath, only a shower which disappointed the Stoker. We used the dimplex radiators to dry our clothes and I burned my socks on the top of one so there is some validity in the warnings not to leave articles touching them.
Fine dinner in hotel with Carl & Rita. Big Carl looked tired with the riding which was gratifying for us as he is a hard man on the bike. I was in bed by 9:45 while Cherry interneted for the weather tomorrow. Guess what - rain to start, the sunny showers.
--------------------
Moved laptop to corner of room and managed to get the hotel wifi. We are so far north we haven't noticed the dark.
The day started very very wet. I dressed prepared for battle with 3/4 length bib tights, 2 shirts, my fleece, rain legs and goretex, and all crevices fully vaselined as we found the Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream was washed off by the water.
It was like someone was throwing buckets of water over us. But the gear held up, and the fleece kept the clammy inside of the goretex off the skin.
There were some track options, but we like most, stuck to the A82 to Inverness. We stopped for teas, scones and soup at the Invergary Hotel after 20 miles at 12:00. No caramel slices so had to manage with a twix which is no substitute for the real thing. Of course it stopped raining when we went in the hotel, and started again when we left.
The road went along the lochs, including Loch Ness, and was fast going as there was nothing else to do and we wanted to get it over and done with. Then the sun came out at time, and the rain became normal pitter patter type rain. I removed the fleece as I was getting too hot, but thats better than being too cold.
Tea was at Drumnadrochit where we met up with some others. Tea and caramel slices, plus I had an "empire biscuit" which was a "jam dodger" with iceing and a jelly on top. Real "Just William" food. We started off sitting outside, but the rain moved us inside. Ken and Big Nige were sounding very fed up with the weather, but we were fine.
Then the climb out, off the A82 now on a minor road to Beauly. 15% for 3/4 mile. Cherry was negative at the thought, but we trundled up with a short stop for the breather near the top. Legs must be getting fitter, and certainly the thighs are expanding into tree trunks. A lovely run then down a broad valley with sunshine and light showers. We got in the groove and and upped the pace as the miles ticked away.
Final climb was out of Dingwall to the Old Eventon Road (signposted "The North avoiding low bridge". We should have risked the low bridge as the road when up, right, up again, the up again. I de-goretexed as I was still too hot, as we went through lighter showers with views over the estuary with oil rigs off Inverness and down to the campsite for tea and jam donoughts. Just in time as the heavans opened again (cliches were invented for this). We got a lift to our hotel, The Teanich Castle (just off the Teanich Industrial Estate in Alness!) which looked grand from the outside but rooms were sparse and no bath, only a shower which disappointed the Stoker. We used the dimplex radiators to dry our clothes and I burned my socks on the top of one so there is some validity in the warnings not to leave articles touching them.
Fine dinner in hotel with Carl & Rita. Big Carl looked tired with the riding which was gratifying for us as he is a hard man on the bike. I was in bed by 9:45 while Cherry interneted for the weather tomorrow. Guess what - rain to start, the sunny showers.
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Well its not raining yet (6am), but the sky aint clear. Breakfast at 7:45 and we are being picked up at 8:45 to go to the campsite and start our final full big day. Lots of miles and more up and downy than yesterday.
Well its not raining yet (6am), but the sky aint clear. Breakfast at 7:45 and we are being picked up at 8:45 to go to the campsite and start our final full big day. Lots of miles and more up and downy than yesterday.
We are back in Norwich now,and greatly relieved to find that you are both still peddling away - nearly there now!How on earth will you get back to 'normal' life after this big adventure?! The caramel slices seem to have kept you going!! G xx
ReplyDeleteThis first novel from an up and coming author has its interesting points, and is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in either the Great Outdoors or Masochism. Modelled on J.K. Jerome's Three Men on a Bummel it comes up short - by approxiumately one person - but is no less worthy for that.
ReplyDeleteThe plot forms a relatively simplistic straight line from A, as it were, to B, although the device of local geographical detail adds charm, even if (without giving it away) the ending is somewhat predictable.
With elements of the travalogue about it, the book provides a fascinating insight into the regional dietary habits of contemporary Britain, even if an over reliance on the symbolism of the caramel slice and scone leaves one suspecting that even in Britain there must be greater culinary diversity than the author has vouchsaed us here. Added to that, the characterisation of the protagonists is essentially weak, lacking credibility notwithstanding the understated sexual tension underpining the relationship betwee the central voice and his "Stoker" (the very use of the epithet being redolent of creaking bedsteads late at night in ancient country pubs). Yes, without a doubt these characters interest one. Their obsessive fascination with outdoor clothing and the smaller bicycle parts hints at their being cyphers for some greater metaphysical whole, and their travails as they traverse a post-modernist landscape marred by symbolic undulations leaves one wondering Will It Ever End ? Oh God, Please Yes, you almost hear the plucky duo cry.
All in all then, a damn good read, and one likely to leave you with ribs and thighs throbbing in sympathy. But what can the author do for an encore, one wonders ? And even if he rose to the challenge, would his faithful Stoker stick with him ? Only time will tell.. but this reader, at least, looks forward to renewing his acquaintance with relish.
The Crow Book Of the Month review Club