Of all the things that have epitomised the remoteness of Nth West Scotland the home delivery Tesco van that brings supermarket goods to locals homes from up to 2 hours away is one of the more visible elements.
For H the Tesco Van has also at times provided added motivation late in the day as he often visualises the van stopped around the corner with a tray load of salad and beetroot sandwiches for sale just for him !
We left our unique Archiniver Hostel after having breakfast with Hostel volunteer Gordon a Kiwi who not only kindly shared his breakfast supplies with us but also stories of his many adventures in this part of the world
Predictably by the time of our departure it was raining again as we negotiated the Bridge of Death with our bikes and the 300 metre Amazon jungle like trek from our Hostel just to get back on to the main road.
With the rain stopped we cycled back 7 kms to the the turn off to Lochinver with the distinct Stac Polly a massive volcanic like rock prominent in the background.
The journey onwards to Lochinver was 20 kms of classic Highlands road. Just about wide enough for 2 bicycles side by side, twisting through peat laden fields and past glacial left over Lochs before finally emerging on a wild and rugged coastline.
Despite the roads width we did see a couple of motor homes and a car towing caravan stupidly and selfishly taking the same route.
After some soup en route we passed through Lochinver for the most serious climb of the day a 7 km ass busting gradient that in the headwind and returned rain had us both gasping for mercy.
The scenery got even wilder and more remote as we continued along rocky plateaus with Lochs dominating the landscape.
Finally we arrived in the sun to the wild looking township of Drumbeg just in time to hit the local shop which was timely given the fact that the towns one pub only serves meals to in house residents !
With accommodation found and a meal of 2 rolls each for dinner it was time to sit back and watch some sport on TV knowing that there is one more bloody big hill in the way of our upcoming rest day at the Rosehall Signal box !
Sent from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
It was the smell of the finish line and the smell of 3 week unwashed cycling clothes that got H to remove himself sloth like from his bed (a...
-
Of all the things that have epitomised the remoteness of Nth West Scotland the home delivery Tesco van that brings supermarket goods to loca...
-
In the New Forest Moreton Church Wareham T E Lawrences' grave Poole Harbour
A very ambitious itinerary Mike, long days between breaks.
ReplyDeleteA quick trip to Europe to warm up perhaps !