Extract from Diary 14-06-2009.

Awoke to a full cooked breakfast and a big pot of tea it was hard to leave the generosity given by my hosts.
But continue on I must.
As I write this I am on the ferry to Bernery and Noth Uist I wish that Elaine and the kids were here.




The bunkhouse at Bernery is one of these special places in the world it has a magic calming influence. Camping at bunkhouses is fun because of the rich variety of people you meet all with a story to tell. You are not alone for long.
The weather is warm and fair. Looking to getting on the road tomorrow, who knows whom I might meet.

Bad Sleep 13.6.09

Extract from Diary 13-06-2009.



Bad sleep last night never the less up and at it to have big bowl of porridge, marmalade and a steaming pot of tea. Its started raining too. " Oh well" time to pack up and hit the road.

That was some day the Clisham Pass was very steep, never ending but the scenery was stunning (no Eagles Though)


As I wright this I am comfy in a warm bed at my cousins Ali and Cathlene who offered a bed for the night at Tarbert. Ali showed me the fish farms in the evening. the air was clear quiet warm and still.

What a day.

All along The Edge to Myself 12.6.09

Extract from Diary 12-06-2009.
Arrival:
Left Ullapool with A Heavy heart as I didn't like leaving Elaine all alone at the pier.
So with the thoughts of tomorrows run drifting through my head I settle into the campsite at Stornoway with a windswept semi landscaped aspect. The wind is rising with a distinct chill in the air.
Hopefully tomorrow will be OK.
While I was on the ferry I met "Mad Max" on his old K1000 motor bike and his Friends one of whom was blind riding pillion.

Time for the Off draws nearer

"OOH ere !"
The time for me going draws near. My gear is spread across the bedroom and i am wondering how its all going to fit in.
My wife has just resorted to shaking her head in miss belief. The Kids just laugh.
Inside my gut are turning at the thought (Its only a week at the West coast of Scotland an area I know well).
An its raining cats, Dogs, pigs, cows, and anything else the great god almighty wishes to through down. "Oh Well"
Back to the packing I suppose.
One more night of work and its off tomorrow to the wide blue yonder ....so to speak

Thats a Date Then

That's it I have finally set a date to set off on this trip.
So on the Friday 12th June I head off to Ullapool to catch the ferry to Stornoway.
Training has been going fine and I have been biking to work over the hill as much as I can, getting about 50 to 70 miles a week.
Woohoo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disaster

Disaster this week, The quick release skewer broke on the trailer, thank goodness it broke at home and not on the trip. The cheapness's of the trailer really shows and I suppose its my fault for being a cheep skate.
A quick chat with my mate at Standfast Engineering and a new bit was made and as the pictures shows all is good.
A big thanks to Gav and Standfast for sorting me out.

A long Slog To Huntly and Back

Broke out the bike and the trailer for today's (18th April) challenge to bike from Craigellachie to Huntly and back again.
This time loaded my rig with 15 kilo's of stone chippings along with the rest of my usual gear the total weight was just short of 18 kilo's.
The bike is still pretty much configured for off roading ie Big chunky tread on the tyres so this would be a real good chance to see how my legs would cope with the long pull over the Course Mahl pass to Hunlty.

It was a hard pull and we, the bike and I made it over and back again though I have to admit it was a slog towards the end. I have fitted some semi slicks to the bike now and I am appreciating the difference in drag.

Training this weekend past (25th April) took a different twist as I went walking instead and tackled a couple of Munroe's and had a chance to try out the tent that I have purchased for the trip.

It was great to walk for a change and to strech my legs. The tent was fine with plenty of space to spread out with all the stuff that I seem to take with me.

The blue tent is mine, a Vango Spectre 200

First Training run With a Bag Of Spuds

It was great to get out eventually and try the whole rig out. Also it was good to see what it felt like pulling weight up hill Puff Puff Puff!!!!
I utilised a couple of bags of spuds and old clothes to bring the weight up to around 10 kilos, I recon on around 20 for the trip so I will bring the weight up as I continue training.
I have found it use full that the surface of most of the fire tracks around my area resembles Strong Velcro...very good resistance training.
It was a good 15 mile over a mixture of fire road and tarmac with a couple of good stiff climbs. felt so much better than sweating it out in the gym.
The bike was fine and the trailer was fine but I am not convinced about the strength of the hook up to the bike yet but as i get more miles in we will see how it survives.

Getting Fatter

The fitness regime is not going well so as of nxt week upping the visits to the gym to twice a week.
The past fortnight my area has been blanketed in a foot or so of snow so out door biking has been out.
Whats worse the chocy biscuits just keep on popping in through gritted teeth.
The snow has begun to melt so hopefully will be able to get out more.