JOGLEing: 21/06/2009

Saturday, 27 June 2009

Loch Loyal to Tain

A836 nearly all the way except for small diversion on B864 for falls of Shin.

Strong head wind all day today making for slow progress up in the hills. Sunset is at around 11pm and sunrise at 4am.

Loch Loyal seems very remote - maybe a bit stark, with mountains all around. The road climbs up and then down to Altnahara which looks almost like an alpine village. Another climb again on to more level ground and a stop at the Crask Inn. Very friendly welcome. Then down to Lairg for re-fuel with fish and chips by Loch Shin. Quick look at the falls of shin. Tea stop at Bonar Bridge and then followed the coast road to Tain. Campsite is between road and railway by the new bridge - hope it's not too noisy.

My knees are ok at the moment but we are both feeling a bit weathered.

56.8 miles

8.9 mph

3560 climb

Tain

Just arrived - more later.

Lairg

Hard work coming over the top from Loch Loyal, bur great coffee and toast at The Crask Inn (all for £3.60) and a very warm welcome. Wind against us all the way but we are now in Lairg waiting for our fish and chips to be cooked. Yum yum - can't wait!

Morning

A bit windy but still dry. Roger - thanks for comment. I'm sure you would have had a swim. I had a wash which was very bracing.

We camped in a kind of stone enclosure that must have been used for animals at some time.

Friday, 26 June 2009

Loch Loyal

Decided to wild camp by Loch Loyal. Incredible location. Cous cous for dinner with cahew nuts.

Stats for today:

51.6 miles
8.5 mph
6808m climb

Aiming for Bonar Bridge tomorrow.

It's still so hot and no showers!!

Tongue

Reached tongue but no camp site. Pressing on toward Altnahara to see what's doing. Amazing days ride - big hills, lots of walking and loads of free wheeling. First taste of single track A roads today. May not be a signal in Altnahara so may not be contactable.