Sunday 12th August 2007. Leg 14: Glen Nevis to Inverness.
Woken at 2.40 a.m. by heavy rain on roof of van. This seemed to continue all night, until we dragged ourselves wearily out of bed. The rain seemed especially heavy, now. Georgina quipped “At least it’s a different type of rain from yesterday. This is Full-on rain.” Then it stopped.
Ben Nevis has his head in cloud (probably as usual).
Have latterly taken to using Garmin with the route navigation feature switched off. The route is so obvious (A82 etc). This may save him a few needless calculations, and hence conserve battery power.
After yesterday’s soaking Brooks has taken on a new shape – a perfect cast of my big-end. Interesting point to note, my butt is asymmetrical, as witnessed by the larger indentation on the Brooks’ left flank. The big question: which is cause and which effect? i.e. Have I conferred my asymmetry on Brooks, or has he made me that way?
Georgina’s luggage took a good soaking yesterday. Her flat-topped carrier developed a puddle, which very quickly penetrated to the interior. This has prompted a clear-out and declutter, which has removed dozens of minor ointments, unguents, and lotions. This has resulted in a reduction in weight of approximately 50%.
Road to Spean Bridge, lots of Harebells, and very interesting array of errant wheel-trims (rough road surfaces hereabouts). Grumpy farmer in a field, with a scythe. P’raps he’s bringing in the bracken. Did nobody suggest there’s more of a living to be had in harvesting wheel-trims?
Spean Bridge is reached by 11, and first meeting with Jacky’s “Bistro Bus” near the Commando Memorial. A quick photo stop, then we’re off again, to meet up again further down the road, near Invergloy at noon. We’re heading up the Great Glen, for Loch Ness, but this is next to one of the lesser lochs, Loch Lochy. Bacon butties are again on the menu. She should start a franchise or summat. Jacky’s Rolling Chuck Wagon & Bike Hire. All done in a corporate style: white van with spare Red Bike on the back. Georgina is a bit off-colour, for which she is taking Diocalm, but I do believe she’s going to manage a butty.
Through Glengarrie, after which the hat is not named.
Jacky’s Chuck Wagon becomes Jacky’s Rolling Shelter on the next sighting as we just happen to rendezvous as a heavy rain shower makes it’s presence felt around 2 o’clock. This happens again at 3 o’clock.
Verdict on A82 up the Great Glen:
Hillier than expected. Most motorists very patient, with the odd pillock who thinks we shouldn’t get in his way. If you’re expecting to catch a glimpse of Nessie, then forget it, as the vegetation is way to high to see anything Lochside.
Weather: a mixture of sun and heavy showers. Once more, we have a tail-wind (the wind blowin’ up me and up the canyon, ‘sfar as I can see.) By the time we got to Urquhart Castle, I passed up the opportunity of a photo-stop.
Fiddlers Café in Drumndadrochit for cakes and drinks. Another downpour. Somehow “Drookit in Drumnadrochit” hasn’t quite got the same evocative ring as say “Sleepless in Seattle” or “Going Loco down in Acupulco”.
On the outskirts of Inverness a B&B called “The Old Manse B&B”. The “e” was obscured by vegetation, so I was sorely tempted to stay the night there and let Georgina continue the journey to the campsite without me.
Made it to the campsite at 7 p.m. (not bad going, obviously wind assistance is a contributory factor). But again my proposed route up the other (traffic free) side of Loch Ness has been abandoned in favour of the A82, and I am disappointed that I didn’t have the nerve to hold out for that. It just might have been a better route.
Phil McCone (I’m not making this up), the Scots Ice Cream man tinkles his way round the campsite, his jingle playing the Happy Wanderer “Fol-de-ree, fol-de-rah” etc. Very appropriate for outdoor types.
I didn’t like the shower here, the cubicle was long, narrow, dark, and somewhat coffin-like. I now sympathise with race-horses who baulk when being led into the starting gate.
And so, before bedtime, it’s Sudoku for the support team, Sudocrem for the riders’ bums.
Distance covered: 66.2 miles
Moving time: 06:35
Average speed: 10.0 mph
Maximum speed: 26.8 mph.
Woken at 2.40 a.m. by heavy rain on roof of van. This seemed to continue all night, until we dragged ourselves wearily out of bed. The rain seemed especially heavy, now. Georgina quipped “At least it’s a different type of rain from yesterday. This is Full-on rain.” Then it stopped.
Ben Nevis has his head in cloud (probably as usual).
Have latterly taken to using Garmin with the route navigation feature switched off. The route is so obvious (A82 etc). This may save him a few needless calculations, and hence conserve battery power.
After yesterday’s soaking Brooks has taken on a new shape – a perfect cast of my big-end. Interesting point to note, my butt is asymmetrical, as witnessed by the larger indentation on the Brooks’ left flank. The big question: which is cause and which effect? i.e. Have I conferred my asymmetry on Brooks, or has he made me that way?
Georgina’s luggage took a good soaking yesterday. Her flat-topped carrier developed a puddle, which very quickly penetrated to the interior. This has prompted a clear-out and declutter, which has removed dozens of minor ointments, unguents, and lotions. This has resulted in a reduction in weight of approximately 50%.
Road to Spean Bridge, lots of Harebells, and very interesting array of errant wheel-trims (rough road surfaces hereabouts). Grumpy farmer in a field, with a scythe. P’raps he’s bringing in the bracken. Did nobody suggest there’s more of a living to be had in harvesting wheel-trims?
Spean Bridge is reached by 11, and first meeting with Jacky’s “Bistro Bus” near the Commando Memorial. A quick photo stop, then we’re off again, to meet up again further down the road, near Invergloy at noon. We’re heading up the Great Glen, for Loch Ness, but this is next to one of the lesser lochs, Loch Lochy. Bacon butties are again on the menu. She should start a franchise or summat. Jacky’s Rolling Chuck Wagon & Bike Hire. All done in a corporate style: white van with spare Red Bike on the back. Georgina is a bit off-colour, for which she is taking Diocalm, but I do believe she’s going to manage a butty.
Through Glengarrie, after which the hat is not named.
Jacky’s Chuck Wagon becomes Jacky’s Rolling Shelter on the next sighting as we just happen to rendezvous as a heavy rain shower makes it’s presence felt around 2 o’clock. This happens again at 3 o’clock.
Verdict on A82 up the Great Glen:
Hillier than expected. Most motorists very patient, with the odd pillock who thinks we shouldn’t get in his way. If you’re expecting to catch a glimpse of Nessie, then forget it, as the vegetation is way to high to see anything Lochside.
Weather: a mixture of sun and heavy showers. Once more, we have a tail-wind (the wind blowin’ up me and up the canyon, ‘sfar as I can see.) By the time we got to Urquhart Castle, I passed up the opportunity of a photo-stop.
Fiddlers Café in Drumndadrochit for cakes and drinks. Another downpour. Somehow “Drookit in Drumnadrochit” hasn’t quite got the same evocative ring as say “Sleepless in Seattle” or “Going Loco down in Acupulco”.
On the outskirts of Inverness a B&B called “The Old Manse B&B”. The “e” was obscured by vegetation, so I was sorely tempted to stay the night there and let Georgina continue the journey to the campsite without me.
Made it to the campsite at 7 p.m. (not bad going, obviously wind assistance is a contributory factor). But again my proposed route up the other (traffic free) side of Loch Ness has been abandoned in favour of the A82, and I am disappointed that I didn’t have the nerve to hold out for that. It just might have been a better route.
Phil McCone (I’m not making this up), the Scots Ice Cream man tinkles his way round the campsite, his jingle playing the Happy Wanderer “Fol-de-ree, fol-de-rah” etc. Very appropriate for outdoor types.
I didn’t like the shower here, the cubicle was long, narrow, dark, and somewhat coffin-like. I now sympathise with race-horses who baulk when being led into the starting gate.
And so, before bedtime, it’s Sudoku for the support team, Sudocrem for the riders’ bums.
Distance covered: 66.2 miles
Moving time: 06:35
Average speed: 10.0 mph
Maximum speed: 26.8 mph.
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