North Berwick

narrative on previous entry

Barra to Butt of Lewis and on to Ullapool

narrative on previous blog entry

UK visit - 2010 - part 1

UK trip Autumn 2010 started for me 3 weeks earlier than for Mary. I arrived in Aberdeen via Denver , Minneapolis and Amsterdam to be met by Jane who drove me straight to Braemar to pick up bikes , and all gear required for next couple of months plus. Morrone looking superb under care of Johannes , Jane and Astrid. Dinner with Colemans and some lovely music from Jeremy and Jessica. Timothy in Coll . Golf next day with Jonathan at Machar and catching up with his wife Kirsteen and 2 children Jamie and Harry.

First full week of the trip in Edinburgh and Glasgow staying with Barbara & Bill , Vic & Susie Wood and David & Heather in Helensburgh. Weekend with John & Jane Butters who , along with Jane and Johannes , were crucially helpful in equipping me with gear for Outer Hebridees bike trip. Had one day of weekend biking round West Lothian and revisiting Parkley Craigs and old friends from Linlithgow.

Train on Mon 6/9 Edin to Oban via Glasgow Queen St and ferry to Castlbay, Barra. Pitched tent on soccer pitch down by shore in dark and all set for early start on Tues. Round west side of Barra to ferry over to Eriskay and then a delightful ride through South Uist , Benbecula and North Uist to ferry terminal at Berneray. Had small detour ( against strong east wind ) to Lochboisdale hotel - met an old Ghillie who used to fish with GSR in 1980’s. “It’s an awful long time since I’ve seen you “ he said thinking it was my dear father 30 years on ( he’d have been 96 ) ! Enjoyed looking through visitors book and seeing the many times he and Mum stayed there.

Ferry at 7am from Berneray to Leverage on Harris on a morning you could normally only dream of. A superb ride through Harris and its magnificent mountains reaching a campsite at Shawbost on west coast of Lewis at 8.30 pm . Having tent , sleeping bag , stove and dried food in packets , had complete flexibility. Enabled me to take advantage of ideal conditions and good wind.

Not so nice next morning , but made it up to Butt of Lewis by mid morning and then back to Stornoway for night at campsite before catching 7am fery to Ullapool next morning.

Met the delightful trio of Colin Blain ( BBC reporter ) and his two enterprising sons Richard and David. Had a lovely exchange of books at Ceilidh Place restauraunt and bookshop on arrival in Ullapool.

Had day to spare before Jane & Johannes were due to arrive , so biked up to Achiltibuie and wild camped there , before returning to Ullapool next morning .

Splendid few days first with J & J and then just with Jane . Did the demanding AnTeallach ridge with significant rope climbing skills and patience of Johannes. Had always been keen to do this . One big step nearer Munros completion.

Jane and I went up to Old Man of Storr , camped on top of cliffs in gale force winds and climbed Canisp next day . A memorable trip .

Drove alone to Tomdoun Hotel and again arrived a day earlier than expected . Biked in to Kinlochhourn and rough camped , arriving back at Tomdoun in time for arrival of old friends John Foster , Rod Rhodes and Mark Denyer . 2 comfortable nights there with a v wet & windy traverse of Five Sisters of Kintail in between.

On Sat drove down to Aberdeen where Mary had arrived the day before from Aspen . Another good evening with more music with Colemans and then to North Berwick via Margie at Letham , the Bruces at Parkley Craigs and the Crebers at Carmelhill Cottage.

North Berwick and “ House on the Beach “ for 2 weeks with visits form Jean & Chris , John & Martha , Jane and many others . Long bike rides , lovely walks on beach, golf and good conversation , food and wine. Very relaxing . Celebrated 64th birthday with picnic and fried sausages on windy , but bright, Tyninghame beach.

3 weeks to go to Meghan’s “B” day . M goes to Ireland for a week and I down to London. Then Braemar for a week and off to Ireland for extended spell when baby arrives .

Pics above cover 1st week up to and including return to our old home of Parkley Craigs and leaving Oban on way to Barra. Pics to cover rest of above narrative on next entry /entries.