Friday 27th September

We did it! Arrived about 3 pm after 51 miles today giving a total mileage of 1121

Dry with sunny spells which was perfect especially as gales expected in next couple of days! If we were going to have rain better earlier in the trip as this end of the UK is pretty bleak and exposed even when the sun shines! Some serious hills first thing this morning but gradually became more undulating as the day progressed Surprised not to see any more cyclists in JOG Staying on lovely B&B looking out to the Orkneys. Will be on the bus tomorrow! 

Thursday 26th September

Cycling doesn't get much better than today! Set off in sun from Bonar Bridge heading north. Stopped to see Shinn Falls - nothing special .Single track road but labelled as A road! Amazing views of Highlands .Stopped at Crask Inn - miles 

from anywhere- and had coffee and home made Almond and Rasberry sponge served by the owner who was delightful. She and her husband bought it 16 years ago and run B&B and bunkhouse for cyclist, fishermen and walkers . Cycled on and stopped by side loch for picnic then on to Bettyhill . First sight of sea as reached north coast- 55 miles eastward and we're there! Staying in a slightly tatty place called Farr Bay Inn  300 m from one

of the most glorious beaches I have ever seen -

chatting in the bar with 2 very inebriated locals who resent the invasion from southerners! 

Wednesday 25th September

62 miles - hills,rain,wind,traffic says it all! Actually the last 10 miles were glorious - the sun came out and we sped along a gently undulating road along side the Dornoch Firth with fabulous views. Stopped for coffee in Dingwall in a community shop Looked like an ex department store full of strange 'vintage' goods for sale and a vintage cafe selling vintage cakes! There wasn't much else in Dingwall! Lunch was in a transport cafe and afternoon tea in Asda! Not sure tomorrow's catering options will be any better as I think we are entering some remote territory! Passed the 1000 mile mark -see photo Steve by Wick sign trying to compete with my Pilling sign!

Tuesday 24thSeptember

Left Fort William on a sunny dry morning The view of the Highlands across the loch was amazing. We took a cycle track from Fort William to the start of the Caledonian  Canal and followed the tow path Fairly soon we saw a Tall Ship starting its climb through a series of locks called Neptunes Staircase,we watched for a while then followed the tow path for about 10 miles to a place called Gaerloch y  where we rejoined the dreaded A 82 with lorries etc all thundering past- a real cpntrast to the tranquility of the canal

.After a few miles we rejoined The Great Glen way which was really only suitable for mountain bikes! but at least we didn't have traffic - just tree roots and rocks. Anyway 7 miles later we rejoined the canal tow path and finally made it to Fort Augustus This was a pretty place and the start of Loch Ness. We had lunch then back on the A 82 for 20 miles to The Fiddlers Inn at Drumnadrochit which is a lovely place to stay. No sign of Nessie. 3.days to go!

 

Monday 23rd September

Left Tyndrum on a dry but cloudy morning Cycled to Bridge of Orchy and then on to Kings House for coffee. This is the only hotel on the road across Rannoch Moor to Glencoe Spectacular Highland scenery with long but fairly gradual ascents and descents across 

the moor and finally a long descent to Glencoe for lunch. We then had a fairly flat ride alongside Loch Linnhe to Fort William . Our B&B is on the road onto Fort William with a beautiful view of the Loch and the Highlands from our room. 

We have done over 900 miles - doesn't seem possible! 

Sunday 22nd September

We left Lochgilphead in drizzle knowing that most of the country were due a warm sunny day but this area seems to have its own microclimate! We continued along the side of Loch Fyne and made Inveraray for coffee A pretty place but full of even  more old people then Ferndown Tescos. We bought a sandwich for lunch as there appeared to be little on the road to our destination at Tyndrum. About lunchtime it was raining heavily and we neede somewhere dry to eat out sandwich We saw a sign to Dalmally station and thought we would investigate We walked onto the platform and met Graham who told us we'd just missed the train! We explained we were only there to eat our food It turned out he owned the station but not the platform having bought it from network rail. He had waited 12 years for the building to dry out and was now doing it up! There was a lot to do. He produced a table and made us a pot of tea ! and even gave us towels to dry ourselves. We cycled on to Tyndrum to a B&B we stayed in when doing the West Highland Way. 

Saturday 21st September

Left Brodick on a dry but grey morning - early start as we had a ferry to catch in Lochranza to get back onto the mainland Lovely cycle round the coast of Arran but then a steep climb over the hill to the ferry. Met a group of ladies who lived near Ardrossan and were cycling a circuit round the islands -65 miles and 5 ferries - sounded a good day out. Saw seals whilst crossing on the ferry More hills on way to Tarbert for lunch Lovely little fishing town on Loch Fyne . This afternoon had a lovely flat cycle along shore of Loch Fyne finishing with a couple of miles along the tow path of the Crinan Canal before finishing at our B&B in Lochgilphead. 

Friday 20th September

Left The Knowe B & B after a luxurious night. The sun was trying to shine and it was dry! We took the main road to Ayr which was quiet and made a gradual descent to the coast. Coffee at The Wee Nook in Ayr then on to Ardrossan 29 miles on a flat cycle track which was amazing . We then caught the ferry to Brodick on Arran Tomorrow we cycle north to Lochranza and catch the ferry back to the mainland

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Thursday 19th September

We left Annan this morning in pouring rain! Annan looked like a rather drab place at the best of times and this morning certainly wasn't the best! After considering possible routes we elected for the main A road as other routes were longer and the rain was coming down It doesn't get much worse than an A road in the pouring rain with lorries thundering past and spraying water everywhere but with the promise of cake and coffee in Dumfries.....! We met a guy in Dumfries who said we would cycle past Kier where the bicycle was invented He also told us the road to our destination at Carsphairn was flat and it certainly wasn't so not sure what to believe. Stopped for lunch in a lovely tea shop and finally after an uphill struggle literally arrived at a fabulous B & B which has only been open a few weeks The owner cooked us a delicious meal as we are several miles from a pub. Tomorrow the sun is going to shine and were off to Ardrossan to catch the ferry to Arran 

Wednesday 18th September

Left Keswick after a nice stay in a small B & B with very friendly owners who kindly dried all our belongings.Decided to head to Carlisle on the main A road to avoid a big climb - good plan as the road wasn't too busy and the climbing was fairly gentle. Stopped in a place called Wigton for coffee and met a group of friendly local cyclists who showed us a route round north Carlisle on a new cycle track which proved to be a lovely bit of traffic free cycling. After lunch,whilst waiting at a level crossing, we got talking to a friendly motorist who had done the End to End last year and got his map book out to show us a cycle route for tomorrow! He was impressed by our lack of luggage. Reached Gretna - Scotland at last! - another milestone done. A guy came along who wanted a photo of cyclists crossing the border so we obliged and in return he took a photo of us next to 'The Sign'. Serious headwind again this afternoon so despite level country,having left the lakes behind us,our trip along the northern side of the Solway Firth was hard. Finally reached our destination in Annan after 50 miles riding 

Tuesday 17th September

Left Jane and Dave early after yet more great hospitality from our friends . The wind blew us along the prom to Morecombe but at least it was dry Once we headed in land the wind was much less significant and we made good time for a coffee stop in Kendal Having cycled through the urban areas north of Manchester with a lot of less than considerate drivers it was lovely to head towards The Lakes and some lovely scenery. Cycled through Windermere which was busy with tourists and on to Ambleside for lunch in a cafe by the lake. The inevitable rain started after lunch and we cycled through Grasmere before passing The Travellers Rest pub where those who did the C 2 C will remember drinking after a long walk with Tims friends Don and Brian This

pub marks the start of a 1 1/2 mile steep climb which we did in the rain ( at least it kept us cool!) That was the biggest climb of the day although generally the terrain has become more hilly ( still not like Devon and Cornwall) Total for day 54 miles Our B&B is called Babbling Brook but more like a raging torrent! 

Monday 16th September

We expected a wet day but the main issue turned out to be blustery winds which at times almost halted us in our tracks! We did 44 miles - the last mile on foot due to gale force winds off the sea at Morecombe. We have slightly detoured off the usual route to spend a night with friends Jane and Dave just outside Morecombe. We actually cycled a short distance today with 2 other End to Enders but I doubt we'll see them again as they plan to do 90 miles a day. We had lunch in Garstang (6miles from Pilling!) which is an attractive little town and then had a walk through Lancaster which  has a most imposing castle in the centre.Tomorrow we head for the lakes and back to the hills! happy days

Sunday15thSeptember

Left in pouring rain but soon stopped and we managed 25 miles in dry weather Lovely coffee stop but sadly just as we set forth again the rain came down and the wind blew! Did 45 miles of flat riding through urban areas but had to negotiate  some fairly busy roads - the middle lane of a 3 lane junction is never a good place nor a right turn at the top of a hill when the lights turn red! Crossed the canal on a toll bridge which charged cars 12p - hardly seems worth employing a person to collect the money!

 Arrived at the B&B dripping wet but made very welcome.

Saturday 14th September

Almost a day off ! Leisurely morning at Hilary and Brians then cycled a few miles to see Steves school friend Rennie Good catch up then back to Macclesfield for supper and an evening in front of the fire watching TV - luxury

Friday 13th September

Day spent with Steves sister Ann and brother in law Phil in Congleton Bikes cleaned after 10 days cycling before a nice short 8 mile cycle to Hilary and Brian's in Macclesfield .Gears much 

smoother after cleaning session. Meal out with Ann,Phil,Brian and Hilary - lovely evening - a long time since we have all spent an evening together.