After a good nights rest in the very comfortable Tongue Youth Hostel, we started up the hill into the village; a steep climb for the warm up! We then turned the sharp hairpin in the village and continued up the hill. It was a slightly dreary day and was quite chilly - but we knew the end was in sight and that this would be our second last day in the saddle. These thoughts were enough to keep our heads down and the pedals turning.
We turned of the main road at the war memorial and onto the A836 towards Altnaharra. Passing through Braetongue, we had a stunning view to the south with Ben Loyal in the distance - another one to add to the list! This was a nice stretch of road - a steady run along the water's edge. First passing Loch Craggie and then along Loch Loyal. We paused before the first climb of the day at Inchkinloch. Then the heavy traffic started and I started to feel quite nervous for the safety of the group. This was clearly a very busy working forest, with large trucks of freshly felled timber thundering along the narrow road in the slippery wet; time to stop for a brief chat with the kids. Safety talk over, we pushed on and the sun even came out on our faces for a few minutes as we began the descent down into Altnaharra.
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| First climb of the day... |
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| Timber....! |
We stopped for lunch at the Altnaharra Hotel and it was at this point that the heavens opened on us; and I really do mean opened! We all dived for cover under a big tree and shared the joke of how heavy the rain was falling - it was crazy! As soon as the rain eased off, we pressed on up the road and another forestry climb and more heavy traffic.
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| Pausing for thought |
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| Strange sculpture outside The Crask Inn |
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| The Crask Inn |
Our next refreshment stop was the Crask Inn. The only way I can describe it is: one of the strangest places I have ever been. However, the folk were very welcoming and the kids loved the hot chocolate in that remote spot. All that remained of the cycling for the day was a gentle run down through more trees to Lairg.
The campsite was a cracking spot but the weather was still miserable and wet. I helped put up tents with the kids and Lewis and Jane got the pot on, while John and Pete went for some 'refreshments'. Everyone headed to bed early that night - huge last day tomorrow!
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| Nice weather for ducks! |
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| Lairg campsite |
Total Distance so far: 284 miles
Route for the day:
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