With 60kms to be covered, big hills to be conquered and a ferry to make, the only motivation that Kev needed for the day was the phrase "Remember Norway" ! In a similar situation in Myrdal Norway in 2015 we had to race to make our ferry - 2 of us made it and unfortunately Kev didn't !
With all this in mind we set off at 7.45a.m. with 5 & 1/2 hours to cover 60kms ! It sounded simple enough but with the rain starting & 15% + hills kicking in i was not so sure we were going to make it in time!
Even when a hill was conquered the following descent had to be done with caution as there were often more potholes than road - once descended we'd start the whole climbing process all over again !
If the early going of 10km an hour was worrying so was the wrong turn we made after 35kms that put us on to a busy A85 road but with a ferry to make there was no time to retrace our steps.
We pedalled like the possessed from Tanyuilt on the A85 finally making Oban with an hour to spare catching up with great UK friends Kev and Julia who planned the coming 6 day leg of our trip, a joint cycle of the Outer Hebrides & Skye. H's opening greeting to Kev and Julia were I'm rooted !
On board our ferry to Castlebay on teh Outer Hebrides we were surprised and delighted to meet up with Robbo a friend who we've shared trips with in the past to Tibet, Albania and the UK - what a great unscripted surprise.
Nearly 5 hours later and after 3 litres of drool from H we finally entered the mysterious Castlebay Harbour of Barra ready along with many other cyclists on the ship to enjoy a fabulous Outer Hebrides experience !
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