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Tag 28
Freitag, 11. August 2023 um 09:45
☀️ 18 °C
Höhe über NN: 144 ft
Schottland McDiarmid Park 56.4079, -3.4780256°24’28” N 3°28’41” W
Panic sets in
11. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Just seen this item on BBC News

Irnbru drivers going on strike. There's a rush to the shops to snaffle dwindling supplies. Reminds me of toilet rolls and eggs a couple of years ago. Heading for Tesco now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-…Weiterlesen
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Tag 28
Freitag, 11. August 2023 um 19:19
⛅ 17 °C
Höhe über NN: 381 ft
Schottland Pitlochry 56.704683, -3.72927356°42’17” N 3°43’45” W
The 11th commandment
11. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
There are rules and there are commandments (for staying married whilst cycling together). The 11th commandment was laid down today
It goes something like this:

'Thou shalt not express thine inner happiness whilst accompanying me up this steep hill on which I am dying.'

Keeping this commandment will entail no longer whistling Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire while cycling up a hill with a gradient of more than 5%. I'm learning as I go.

Stopped to take a wee photy of the little brown guy crossing the road. Unfortunately my bike was parked in such a way that when a car passed it moved out slightly and caused the demise of said road crosser. At least he is now immortalised.

Ice cream at the chippy in Dunkeld where the derp-fried sweet of the week is Snickers. Had to leave there fast before the temptation was too much.

Haggis, neeps and tatties for dinner. Haggis was locally caught and well hung. The guy in the spirit shop had clearly imbibed too much of the local hooch. He didn't look at all healthy!Weiterlesen
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ReisenderDid you have the Ice cream before the main appetite? Why not go for seconds if you were thinking about having more? What's the weather like over in Scotland, Steve?
11.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderAfter my main of course. Weather yesterday was sunny. Looks like rain in the hills today.
12.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderGreat to hear Steve 👍 👏 Hope you manage to cycle those hills despite the rain
12.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 29
Samstag, 12. August 2023 um 18:55
☁️ 16 °C
Höhe über NN: 902 ft
Schottland Newtonmore 57.070901, -4.11549457°4’15” N 4°6’56” W
Get thee behind me, Stephen
12. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
It's a funny thing that so many conversations seem to contain almost scriptural sayings. Now for the context....I am the Routemaster....Manda is the Pacemaker. If I forget and forge ahead I am reminded of our roles. Occasionally it becomes necessary to be a little more forceful; hence the phrase 'Get thee behind me'.

Over Killicrankie Pass and past Blair Atholl where the Duke has the only private army in the UK.

Then on to Drumochter Pass with the warning 'No food or shelter for 30km'. You were warned. About 10 miles uphill to the top, the highest point on the Scottish Cycle Network'. And a rhyme unfinished as yet. Incidentally the warning was not true. Today's free food was raspberries by the side of the path.

Scotland that has lots of heather
Also has some really wet weather
So you suit up, push and pedal
Really deserving of a medal
When you get right to the top
Enjoy the view and have a stop.

Any additions welcomed.

Shinty at Newtonmore was a new one, like hockey on steroids crossed with golf.Weiterlesen
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ReisenderNow the real adventure really starts.
12.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 30
Sonntag, 13. August 2023 um 21:25
☁️ 15 °C
Höhe über NN: 72 ft
Schottland Inverness 57.479911, -4.21103757°28’48” N 4°12’40” W
2
A message from Squirrel Nutkin
13. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
You will all be happy to hear that Squirrel Nutkin is alive and well and living in Moy. We saw him today and he wanted to set the record straight. Apparently he did not do the nasty things to the owl that Beatrix Potter said he did and his tail is still intact. It was good to see him.

Past ruined buildings on hilltops til we reached Aviemore and some foragers collecting chantarelles. Other pretty fungi were seen and then we met Malcolm Campbell in his Lone Star State shirt. We cycled an chatted about life in general and Texas in particular.

Another summit and then Moy with a long empty road and beautifully carved seats in the middle of nowhere. And that red squirrel sighting!

Through Carrbridge, home of the World Porridge Championships and on to Inverness. 55 miles and a well-deserved rest. Evening all!Weiterlesen
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Reisender That bridge! Oh how beautiful. And you too! Xxx
14.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
Reisender Aha you noticed me! x
14.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 31
Montag, 14. August 2023 um 17:09
☀️ 18 °C
Höhe über NN: 46 ft
Schottland Shandwick Bay 57.757318, -3.90834657°45’26” N 3°54’30” W
You heard it on the shipping forecast
14. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
We'd only ever heard of Cromarty from the Met Office shipping forecast but today we found it at the tip of the Black Isle north of Inverness. Pretty little place with a deepwater harbour sheltering oil rigs and suchlike. And it has a ferry, across to Nigg, that will take one larger van or two smaller cars. If your van is too big you don't get on! We hopped on and met some lovely Spanish people Victor and Neus. Their chatting helped Amanda not to feel seasick.

On the way we watched a shrew shuffling for food and quoting Shakespeare. Something about not being tamed?

The telegraph pkles are so old that they even have moss growing on them.

Then the beach at Baltinore. Long, sandy, warm with crystal clear North Sea water to swim in. Like a bath it was.Weiterlesen
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ReisenderDear Steve and Amanda. It was just so inspiring to meet you on the ferry to Nigg. We are happy to learn that we helped Amanda to avoid the seasick and we hope that you enjoy your trip to the north. Best regards, Victor and Neus.
15.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderHi Steve & Amanda, it was a year ago today 16/08/22 that I started JOGLE. Following you on this trip is bringing back memories. I was in Inverness for a couple of days before moving on up to JOG, I had a great time there.
16.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderInverness is a lovely city
16.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 33
Mittwoch, 16. August 2023 um 08:24
☁️ 13 °C
Höhe über NN: 259 ft
Schottland Lairg 58.028335, -4.40623358°1’42” N 4°24’22” W
2
Every year's a leap year
16. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
At the Falls of Shin every year's a leap year if you're a salmon! We stopped there for lunch and were amazed that those fish could leap that waterfall. A breathtaking sight. People literally exclaimed every time one jumped. Sad thing is that once upon a time there were thousands doing it and now there are only a few. BUT Manda got a couple of pics whereas I failed completely!

Last year as I rode up here I chatted to a guy about his beautiful raised beds. This year there he was again. We stopped, chatted and were invited in by Mark. He has spent 30 yrs creating a work of art in stone in his garden. Beautiful lines, swirling and graceful. What a joy to talk about and see. Then the offer of raspberries and mangetout to be enjoyed in the evening. We admired, picked and ate.

Pictish art was seen and ticks picked up, unfortunately by me. We'll keep an eye out for Lyme's Disease.Weiterlesen
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Reisender I've got plans for the garden thanks to Marks work 30 years and he's created a beautiful space
16.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderLooks amazing!
18.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderI was at Shin last year but didn’t get as good a photo as you have here. I took a video and it took 5/6 mins to get a salmon to jump. Then it was three all seconds apart. A great place.
16.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 34
Donnerstag, 17. August 2023 um 20:23
🌬 16 °C
Höhe über NN: 213 ft
Schottland Bettyhill 58.52443, -4.22371358°31’28” N 4°13’25” W
The most beautiful road in Scotland
17. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
You take the road from Lairg to Altnahara and then turn right to Bettyhill. The first 19 miles with no turns off, over the Flow Country; the next 22 miles alongside the Loch and River Naver. It's gentle, with wide panoramas, huge hills, magical heather and sudden reveals of new vistas. At the end the hills suddenly give way to the sea with the river flowing out through a golden beach into the sea. Perfection in a day's ride.

Crask Inn gets an honourable mention. Owned by the Scottish Episcopalean Church it has long welcomed End to Enders.

Passed a Clearance Village at Rosal. Just a clearing in the forest now. Cleared during the Highland Clearances. 15000 Gaelic speakers cleared from the valley in just 10 years. The Countess of Surherland built Bettyhill to house some of those evicted but most were forced out of the Highlands to make way for sheep.

The views from Bettyhill are just stunning and where the river runs into the sea it turns a beautiful orange from the peat.

Met Jan from Germany who donated a tenner to Manda's good cause. Nice chap and a good chat.Weiterlesen
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ReisenderOn the last little bit of the adventure. 👍
17.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderTomorrow is Thurso and Saturday it all ends with a ferry to The Orkneys. Couple of days riding there and then home.
17.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderIt's been a good journey for you. What's next? Bettyhill was my first night of rest after the first leg of the trip. Well done both of you.
17.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderOh yes we did the NC 500 a couple of years ago and I remember Bettyhill, beautiful scenery.
18.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 35
Freitag, 18. August 2023 um 20:21
🌬 15 °C
Höhe über NN: 66 ft
Schottland Castletown 58.593186, -3.39241758°35’35” N 3°23’33” W
The Longest Day
18. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ 🌬 15 °C
But where was John Wayne when we needed his help and encouragement to win the day?

We left Bettyhill and headed East. A breeze sprang up from the East. A 30mph plus howler thanks to Storm Betty blowing in straight in our faces. Up two of the longest hills you ever have seen. On the exposed tops it was difficult to make headway and when it came from the side we had to lean the bikes into it to keep going straight. Aching arms and hands. 36 miles and it did not relent. One last hill up a road that was straight for nearly two miles was a real heartbreaker but we finally made it.

Lifesaver 1 was a cafe where we met two Belgian girls doing LEJOG for a wildlife charity and two Italian women doing it for 'pleasure'

Lifesaver 2 was a cafe with a wind proof shelter and pea and ham soup. Same 2 Italians turned up. Their comment on the day was 'long, long, long, strong, strong, strong!'.

Forecast tomorrow...heavy rain, strong winds (40mph+). OuchWeiterlesen
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ReisenderWhen we went to leave Bettyhill this morning a local asked "Which way are you going?" We indicated to John O Groats and they replied "Och wind be in yer face all day!" Very true, very true!!
18.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 36
Samstag, 19. August 2023 um 13:28
🌬 16 °C
Höhe über NN: 26 ft
Schottland John O' Groats 58.642961, -3.0703258°38’35” N 3°4’13” W
1 1
I really wanted to stay in bed?
19. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
But Manda said NO. So out into the wind and wet we went. Horizontal rain.

Waterproof clothing is as much use as blotting paper in conditions like that but I was very glad of the hood even if the rest didn't do much except keep us reasonably warm.

I think I can safely say it was the worst riding conditions we have experienced.

Lots of compliments to Amanda who completed her challenge like a good 'un. And raised £714 so far for SWALLOWS charity.

Now to find a ferry to The Orkneys. Needless to say ours from JOG has been cancelled!Weiterlesen
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Reisender😂 😂 Well done Amanda for stepping up and telling Steve to cycle the last chapter of your journey. Well done Amanda for raising £714, you must be so proud of what you've achieved and well done to both of you for completing the whole journey 👏 Now Steve, you can rest for a bit, until you find a ferry to Orkneys
19.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderWell done you two! Martin family members have been following the last leg of your journey 🚲
19.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderCongratulations, what a shame it ended in so much rain and wind. So much respect for you both. xx
19.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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Tag 38
Montag, 21. August 2023 um 16:58
☁️ 17 °C
Höhe über NN: 30 ft
Schottland Kirkwall Ferry Port 58.9849, -2.962758°59’6” N 2°57’46” W
1
Farewell to all that...
21. August 2023 in Schottland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
...the Orkneys can give.

We found a ferry, arrived, cycled endless hills, saw endless pre-historic ruins (including a few inhabitants) and now await the ferry to Aberdeen.

What more is there to say? The minions got here before us, the freshly caught fish is delicious, there's a man who rides a penny-farthing.

The Italian Chapel, built by Italian POWs from two Nissen huts, is exquisitely beautiful.

Can't wait to get home.

And Amanda has raised £799.Weiterlesen
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ReisenderWe’ll done to both of you! ✔️👍😃
21.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
ReisenderAwesome stuff, well done guys!
22.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
Reisender Well done both of you, I hope you get a well earned rest! I must go exploring more ….xx
23.08.23AntwortenÜbersetzen
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24. August 2023