Day 34. Thursday, July 31 – Tarbert to Campbeltown, Scotland
Friday 1 August 2014
We shivered against the cold, damp wind and wondered how we could endure another day like this. One mile into our ride, as we climbed our first hill, all was forgotten, unzipping as fast as we could to cool off. 
The up and down went on for miles, the dark clouds only throwing mist our way.
On one particularly long down (after a long up) a cold drizzle was threatening to have us shivering again. At the bottom, the first civilization we had seen since leaving our B & B was a gas station/market serving soothing hot chocolate. By the time we pedaled away, the sun was beginning to show and the 55° temperatures had warmed up ten degrees.
Out of the hills and down to the relatively flat road
along the west coast of this peninsula, we experienced fully the prevailing southeast winds. 
Thankfully, the winds were only about 10 mph, so not debilitating, just draining over time. This coastline was gorgeous, 
the sun that occasional broke free of the clouds, reflecting Caribbean blue in the waters.
Everything wild was blossoming from the water,
be it showers or sea.
Though the scenery remained brilliant, 
the warm air 
and flat road did not.
Sometime after noon, we stopped for lunch in a pretty cove with a white sandy beach. 
Though we enjoyed the vista,
the only restaurant in our entire stretch today, was closed. As we climbed to the middle of the peninsula, over to the east side,
the rocks we had enjoyed along the coastline 
grew larger and coupled with grass fields created a spectacular landscape.
One last climb before dropping into another scenic harbor town. With rain threatening, we sped through town happy to be able to check in before the rain hit, but after we climbed the short but very steep hill to the hotel.
Having missed lunch, it did not take us long to pedal back into town for a little snack before dinner.
We had planned to take the ferry to Northern Ireland tomorrow, but had not planned on the ferry being booked. So tomorrow we’ll take a day off show you this pretty harbor town.
Note: Below the photo gallery of each day is a comments section (that you are welcome to add); if you are missing it, you are missing an occasional hysterical commentary by Mike K. aka Cecil O’Toole.
Bobby Says:
Damn the Ferry and the Wahoo.
Pat and M.E. Says:
I cannot believe there was no volleyball net in the coast picture. We won’t be setting one up either this weekend as there is a green haze on the radar for the entire weekend. Think this means we’ll have to drink instead… Only 4 more Saturdays of beach — and den — FOOTBALL! Can you believe it!
travis Says:
the elves were just playing with ye on this last day in Scotland – giving you a little taste of this and that – fine name for a town, too. Nice swan and cygnets shot, Lori. Get ready for Ireland. Fair seas and fine sailing.
Ken Says:
Looks like you made it to Ireland today after all. “May the Shamrock winds be at your backs” Where have I heard that before?!
Bill Says:
Further to Lori’s Scotch Connection:
The direct, lineal and legitimate descent from Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland from 25 March 1306 until his death in 1329, was through Lori’s paternal grandmother who was a Bruce and the descendant of Robert. She proudly named her son, Lori’s father, for her Bruce ancestor, adding even more to the Scotch tradition by adding the name Andrew (Andrew Bruce). St. Andrew was the first disciple of Jesus and is the official patron saint of only two countries in the world SCOTLAND and Russia. Robert the Bruce did hide for a time in Ireland in 1307, and it looks like Lori and Jerry are going to try to do the same – a wee change of scenery.