Day 20 : INVERNESS to INVERSHIN : The Weather Gods Were Smiling Today

22 September 2012

Miles : 58.10

Average Speed:

Hours:  9.30 - 6 pm

Feet up : 2263

Feet down : 2245



                                           The lunch spot photo today tells it all.

The weather was wonderful, the countryside was gorgeous and bikeable, and we had a great time

First thing when we left, we went to the train station to book our tickets backs to London. Yes, we really are at that stage. Good thing we did - it is not that simple with bikes. One must make a reservation for them, and there are limited spaces per train.... As low as 4 per train, which is totally ridiculous, in my opinion.

We had read about people being stuck up here for a week, not able to get their bikes out, and I can believe it. So we did not get our first choice, but we are all set.

Then we visited the tourist info centre to get a detailed map of NCN route # 1 , which takes us the whole way to John o Groats, and I have to say that it is bloody brilliant

Inverness from the bridge

                                             Reflections in the Firth from our lunch spot

We had tried to book ahead for accomodation tonight, it bring Saturday.  We phoned the well reviewed hotel in Invershin, and left a message.

No word from them all day and no phone ability.  

 In addition, we made a rather large miscalculation in terms of how far it was, so the last couple of hours of the day were a little fraught.  Got to Tain, which had plenty of accomodation, but it was too early to quit for the day. We decided to carry on towards Invershin and the hotel . It seemed to get farther and farther away, up the side of the Firth. As time went by, we focused on Ardgay, but in spite of how it looked on the map nothing there - houses or accommodation.  On to Bolnar Bridge - several places there, all full. With the help of a lovely B and B hostess, however, we managed to find out that the Invershin Pub had a room.  So on we cycled the next five miles, to be greeted by the owner and her newborn babe.

Fortunately they had plenty of rooms.. Last Saturday night they were fully booked so we were very lucky.

Warm fire in the bar - and we were so pooped, we just sat there, warmed up, ate our fabulous local steak for dinner, and then picked up our panniers and off to bed.

               

We have three days of biking left, each 40 miles, so we are feeling REALLY good as we turn in tonight

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