Day 1. Inverness to Lochcarron

Today is best summarised by views, neoprene and a small tumble. We started off well with a great breakfast in the very fine Artysans café in Inverness. (artysans.org.uk) after which it was time to hit the high road but not before mother nature had thought that having brought kit for all weathers we should try it out! Once we had departed Inverness we found ourselves on the main A862 heading to Beauly. Great views were peeping out at us through an ever lowering cloud base, however the air was markedly cleaner and clearer and we were on our bikes. All was going swimmingly (sometimes almost literally) until we encountered a railway crossing. “Cyclists dismount” I called to Myra, spotting a roadsign. However I made that all too frequent mature decision when you think, “but not us surely”, and having decided railway tracks should be approached when rowing a bow wave ie at 90 degrees, despite the fact that the tracks themselves were at a 45 degree angle to the road, end result a sideways survey of the road surface not just for me, but Myra too, although admittedly at a slightly more sensible pace! Pride, skin and slight body damage ensued, however lunch was calling and 17 miles still waited to be pedalled and there is always ibuprofen! Lunch was a welcome warm up and a small dry out at the Ledgowan Hotel ( with some fine stags on the walls watching us with beady eyes as we dripped into the front door), before heading on towards our destination. Great views opened up during the afternoon on the magnificent road leading to Lochcarron. We arrived at the B&B (Pathend), which boasted rather splendid views of the Loch, just as the clouds cleared. The room was fantastic, our waterproofs which did the best they could against the elements were kindly being dried for us in front if the Aga and an early supper called. Ideally, washed down with a wee local dram ( for medicinal purposes) of course! More later. Picture below best sums up day 1: Shiny (wet), Happy, People.