{"id":13983,"date":"2014-07-25T15:41:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T19:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=13983"},"modified":"2014-07-26T02:58:33","modified_gmt":"2014-07-26T06:58:33","slug":"day-28-friday-july-25-inverness-to-kinlochewe-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=13983","title":{"rendered":"Day 28. Friday, July 25 – Inverness to Kinlochewe, Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sorry our tracker did not record us today, not sure if it’s a battery issue but will change as soon as we get back into\u00a0civilization.<\/em><\/p>\n

Low sixties in the sunshine is amazingly warm; a refreshing change from the past couple of days. Our departure from Inverness was again along the Beauty Firth,\"DSCN0132\"<\/a>but this time we followed the south edge. For twenty miles we enjoyed a relatively flat course, retracing the route our train had taken yesterday; seeing the prettier side of the train stops.\"DSCN0143\"<\/a>It was not until about mile 25 that we started climbing\"DSCN0152\"<\/a> and the legs got into the rhythm of climbing and dropping; finally if felt good to be in the saddle again. The crystal blue skies accentuated the colors of the fields\"DSCN0141\"<\/a> and the horses had lost their shaggy manes.\"DSCN0147\"<\/a> At 11:00 a.m. with 28 miles completed, we stopped at the last outpost before we reached our destination. Though much too early for lunch, we opted to eat for the sake of the energy we would need. \"DSCN0175\"<\/a>These little roadside canteens have become a ducky favorite; amazing food always served by a friendly proprietor. \u00a0The climbing continued after lunch,\"DSCN0181\"<\/a> but not too steep and the small downhills were enough for a break without giving back all we had just climbed.<\/p>\n

We traveled from one beautiful loch\"DSCN0193\"<\/a> to another, \"DSCN0198\"<\/a>connected by streams that wove through the river valley. \"DSCN0212\"<\/a>\u00a0Hills starting at the water’s edge and reached to the sky. \"DSCN0228\"<\/a>Ripples in the water \"DSCN0226\"<\/a>spoke of the breeze that had been riding along with us. \u00a0Took a rest along the water,\"photo\"<\/a> peaceful in the middle of nowhere; \"DSCN0207\"<\/a>unit two F-16 flew by so close we could see the colors of the pilot’s eyes; never have we been so close and we’ve had many fly-bys back at home. \u00a0Another\u00a0short break at 50 miles, \"photo\"<\/a>before we started our toughest climb; be it because it was at the end of the day, or because it was just darn tough. \u00a0As we rounded mile two of our uphill trek, the wind turned in our face. \u00a0 The wind coming up the other side\u00a0from the narrow cut\u00a0was cooling and we knew that meant we were close to the crest. \u00a0As we turned the corner down,\"DSCN0233\"<\/a> the sight was amazing. \"DSCN0238\"<\/a>\u00a0The photograph does not convey what we saw as we took the photo on the way down, not willing to stop; one of THE prettiest sights we have seen. \u00a0At 2:00, we came to a stop at the foot of our hotel (note the flower pots)k,\"DSCN0248\"<\/a>57 miles completed.<\/p>\n

Today’s ride did a lot to raise the spirits. \u00a0So what if we are traveling to a tourist spot<\/strong>, on a Saturday<\/strong>, with NO<\/strong> reservation, Everything booked<\/strong> and having to pitch a tent<\/strong> with the midges in the rain<\/strong>. \u00a0Tonight\u00a0we enjoy with steak stew and a bottle of red!\"DSCN0258\"<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t