Day 12 – my invite definately said elves!!

Ok, so we didn’t see, or dress up as elves….but that’s all I could come up with! (Thanks Kerrie….I won’t tell anyone – doh!) 

Last night in our lovely B&B with the large lounge and a drying room, we slept with the sounds of a howling wind and heavy rain going on around us, and in the morning we were not too hopeful as to how dry we would be at the end of the day.  But we had a big day ahead of us, so we kitted up and got on with it.  Once again we found we were luck with the weather- on the rain front anyway.  Other than the odd quick shower, we were spared getting completely drenched like the other day.
The wind however was a different matter, and we found that very hard work.  It was coming straight at us, and it feels like you’re cycling in glue.  It reminded me of trying to swim against the tide to grab hold of a shot line you’ve missed when diving.  Not fun, and very energy sapping.  We stopped for a coffee about 15 miles into the leg, and had a sandwich too.  You can’t take on too much fuel I’ve been told.  We were treated by a visit of some wild deer on the front lawn (I think they feed them)  which was quite entertaining. 
My computer just lost a chunk of my blog again – poop!  I’ll try and remember what I wrote….
Oh yes, about all the things I didn’t capture on camera;  the beefy ram with the huge curly horns;  the view of the mountain two minutes down the road that was was more stunning than the one I took having stopped; taken the dry bag out of my pocket; camera out of the bag etc….; the magnificent stag that came across the road just in front of us, stopped to look then leaped over the fence and into the woods on the other side;  the tiny bee hanging on to a flower in a force 9 gale (that’s what it felt like to me);  wing mirror city by the narrow bridge;  the giant’s skate board valley between two mountains; and so much more besides. 

After our first stop we made a concerted effort to draft properly in order to make the best headway we could into the wind.  It’s hard because you have to stay really close to the bike in front of you, and keep and eye out for the one behind so they don’t get dropped.   We all worked hard in the strong, sapping wind, especially David who took the lead.  It certainly got us moving.

Drafting, to help cut through the wind.

Even so it was heads down and shoulders, literally, to the wind.  Their was a fabulous downhill bit after Glenco, goodness knows how fast we would have gone without the wind at our faces!!  We were grateful to get to next town, but chose to continue without stopping to catch John up at Fort William.  He had booked Jackie’s bike into a local bike shop to check out her gears.  When we got there, we were happy to sit in the Mac D’s having a shake/coffee while the bike got done.  We were happier to know that we were only 12 miles away from the B&B.  HURRAH  😉

We got to the B&B, stopping briefly at The Commando Memorial where we met a man who was on his second day from John O’Groats to Land’s End.  He was on his own and was hoping to find somewhere to stay in Spean Bridge.  We wished him lots of luck on his journey.  It’s amazing how many people you meet doing this journey, the same way you’re going or the opposite, it doesn’t matter.  There’s a commoraderie between you that’s quite special.  I didn’t envy him the fact he’s a the beginning of his adventure, whereas we’re nearly at the end of ours.

Us girlies half way up the mountain!

Spot Alex and Jackie….?

While I was writing this blog, the owner of the B&B helpfully switched the wireless off – OMG!  Didn’t see that one coming, so once again, I’m picking up pieces, and trying to remember what I said!! 
We were quite pleased with ourselves for having tackled the wind, and got to our destination.  I think it’ll be more the same today but colder, so wish us luck!   Hopfully there will be un-interrupted wi-fi tonight and I can fill you all in.

Thank you as always for your comments and support, we’re looking forward to seeing you all soon. 

Pressing the button now – fingers crossed,

Beth xx