{"id":14290,"date":"2014-07-30T16:09:30","date_gmt":"2014-07-30T20:09:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=14290"},"modified":"2014-07-30T16:10:30","modified_gmt":"2014-07-30T20:10:30","slug":"day-33-wednesday-july-30-kilmelford-to-tarbert-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=14290","title":{"rendered":"Day 33. Wednesday, July 30 – Kilmelford to Tarbert, Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"

The rustle of the wind was deafening this morning as we walked out to load our bikes. \u00a0\"photo\"<\/a>We were comforted to quickly realize it was the stream that had grown with the continuous showers last night, though the wind was<\/em> swaying the treetops. \u00a0There is a peaceful allurement to the freshly watered fields\u00a0in the morning,\"DSCN0850\"<\/a> especially viewed in our current dry conditions. \"DSCN0863\"<\/a>\u00a0We had been warned of the very steep climb\"DSCN0854\"<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0at about five miles, so we were feeling rather strong at seven miles when we descended to a pretty cove. \u00a0A turn in the road revealed the we had yet to begin to climb;\"DSCN0865\"<\/a>the mountain was just ahead.\u00a0 It was a spectacularly marvelous and equally tenacious three mile climb with a slight push over the top\u00a0from the wind.\"DSCN0869\"<\/a>A great vantage point of\u00a0the cove\u00a0below.\"DSCN0868\"<\/a>The climb was matched by an awesome 3 mile flydown and a quick up to the Kilmartin Castle\"DSCN0878\"<\/a> and cafe. \u00a0\"DSCN0887\"<\/a>It was not as if we needed<\/em> <\/strong>any sweets after just a three mile climb\"DSCN0880\"<\/a>and only completing 14 miles, but we had some anyway. \u00a0A quick downhill from the small village \"DSCN0891\"<\/a>and then miles of blissfully flat road \"DSCN0900\"<\/a>along Loch Fyne Inlet.\"photo-6\"<\/a>As threatening as the sky was,\"photo-5\"<\/a> we only experienced a sprinkle or two. \u00a0Entranced\u00a0by each little cove,\"DSCN0917\"<\/a>the remarkable low tides \"photo-2\"<\/a>and ecstatic with the flat road. \u00a0Once again enjoying ourselves and taking frivolous \"DSCN0918\"<\/a>photos.\"photo-4\"<\/a>One more little climb\"DSCN0925\"<\/a>\u00a0before dropping into the historic seaside town of Tarbert.\u00a0\"photo-9\"<\/a>The town borders Scotland’s oldest natural harbor \"DSCN0938\"<\/a>and climbs from there, topped by 13th century Tarbert Castle (built by Robert the Bruce) on one hill \"photo\"<\/a>and the Tarbert Church of Scotland on the other end of town.\"DSCN0932\"<\/a>This close to the ocean, requires seafood for dinner; Seafood Pie and Penne with Prawns.\"DSCN0945\"<\/a>Perfect to replenish and prepare for our ride tomorrow.\"DSCN0948\"<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t