Remotely Stunning !

After yesterday's big climb there was more on the cards today although the short distance of 40kms was enough motivation to keep H from slitting his wrists !

After a noisy night in our reformed mental institution / youth hostel (an apt place for us) we cycled back into town for a meal late enough to be called brunch.

The issue we had today as we headed further into remote Nth West Scotland was trying to fit in with our b&b's in terms of check in times as well as availability of meals / wifi / phone !

With a 6pm check in time we didn't hit the road until nearly 11am after first breakfasting at the Applecross Cafe where we stocked up on extra protein for a day of more climbing.

Finally peddling, the early morning sun gave way to a strong cold headwind. The conditions seemed fitting as we cycled along a superbly rugged coastline with close views of the peaks of the Isle of Skye.

There were some serious little pinches on this section. So steep in fact that I remarked to H that a guy we met at the youth hostel out walking his dog had a very good chance of overtaking us given the speed we were going. In Scotland this is aptly named as lumpy terrain !

Swinging around to the Sth East the murky conditions suddenly disappeared replaced by a magnificent afternoon of warmth and that thing rarely seen in Scotland called the sun !

While the weather improved the hills didn't and actually became more frequent. Combined with the added pain of being on single lane roads with passing bays often half way up a hill resulted in us  collectively groaning every time we went around a corner !

Every rest break saw Henley doing better and better impersonations of "road kill" until finally we cycled down into the stunningly located Highland town of Sheildag.

We didn't make it past the first shop ! H settling for a much needed bowl of soup while I went for the customary cyclist feed of coffee and cake, followed by ice cream, followed by a coke followed by ....... "well it was bloody hard work" !

With our check in time not till 6pm we lounged around on the foreshore for a couple of hours in the sun with H taking up prime position for close inspection of nearby grass follicles ! Whenever someone walked by him I just simply said "Aussie Road Kill" !

Finally checked in we were able to return to the foreshore for dinner at the only eaterie in town while enjoying a superb sunlit evening !

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