A beautiful day!
Stayed in a wonderfully timewarped hotel in baronial style at a basement price. For the first time CK goesfor the full breakfast-must be a good sign.
Despite the fact that we had all day to cover 50 miles, it was agreed that these would be knocked off am to enjoy half a day as a real tourist. The weather was kind all morning and we were treated to some stunning scenery wth vivid yellow shows from the blossoming gorse.
So we were done by lunchtime. After a call to Mrs K to send our love and thoughts to her and her family at the interment of my brother in law today, we had a, by our standards modest, intake of carbs before setting out to check out the rather ominous looking climbs in wait for us tomorrow. The waitress at lunch had done nothing to dispel CK’s apprehension following his leg collapse the previous day by saying “Dartmoor’s a picnic compared to Helmsdale”.
After saving his new ring for Drumnadrochit CK had been somewhat disappointed indeed pained in his use of this virgin ring. “Maybe the second time will be more comfortable” came the soothing words from Mrs W. “It normally is”she added.
Although daunting in the extent of the climb it looks manageable on fresh legs (and rocket fuel which has now been added to the Band B breakfast request).
So we then set out to be tourists visting Badbea, a now deserted settlement for displaced families in the 19thC. It looked beautiful today belying the rude existence which would have been its occupants lives.
We then went for a Wingrove “drive” with CK at the wheel. Heeding MW’s understated advice ” now this maybe a bit of back road”, this was undertaken with some caution. 6 groundings later I can confirm he was right. Mrs W chats throughout to her mum, brother, son, daughter Uncle Tom Cobbley and all.
Brora is full of golfers this week so we are in different Band B’s tonight. If theirs is better than mine, they must be at the Ritz.
Probably the last blog until we’ve finished; thanks again for your company and a big thank you to Mr and Mrs W for putting up with me.
Hey – just checking your map out! HUGH ROUND OF APPLAUSE – you’re nearly done!…………… just a thought……………….how about coming back down the other side – weather’s been far better on the East AND it will keep you out of the office for a few more days………………. plus of course it’s downhill…………….. so will be MUCH easier! (I’m not blonde for nothin’!)
See you soon – drive carefully back!
we have enjoyed your blogs all the way, going to miss following you but so made up that you have as good as achieved your challange, now only a few hours to go and you will be reunited with your little babys(well perhaps not so little)good luck with the rest of your adventure and look forward to seeing you all when you get back.
Hope you are still going well and try to cross the finish line alive and in one piece. Hope you have enjoyed it and will enjoy your last day. See you on thursday, Annabel
Hi make sure u don’t have an accident and get back home on thursday. From Benji
Very well done so far, daddy. Good luck on the last lap through Scotland thinking of you and hoping that you can cross the finish line in one piece, at least. Hope to see you soon. lol Annabel .