Applecross

Still no flights from Scotland to Shannon , so for the 2nd time this year we had to fly Edin Dublin and hire a car. The arrival of the flight back to Edinburgh coincided almost precisely with Jane's arrival back from Asheville, so we were able to drive her home to Inverness , stopping to see Ronnie and Margaret Hobson in Pitlochry on the way.  The following day the 4 of us set off on our planned cycling expedition to Applecross. A weekend of almost unbelievably fine weather to cap almost 6 weeks ( for me ) of dry, and mostly sunny days.

Fully laden leaving 20 Croft road , Inverness

Setting the tone having just left the car in Lochcarron

Scary , eh?

Looking south over Loch Carron towards Plockton

The climb begins - bring it on !

Why doesn't he push us too ?

Into the granny gear

A lot easier though than the rollers in Eastern Kentucky

Top of the pass. All downhill from here to the village of Applecross....

.... and in to the setting sun

Doesn't get much better and a gourmet dinner ahead .....

.... right here .  Applecross Inn

Couldn't take our eyes of it even for a much anticipated pint of beer

The following morning - same spot. Is it always like this ????

Looking across the bay to Applecross House

The walled garden at Applecross House

Looking south over Applecross bay to the Cuillins on Skye

Ditto

Now on the road heading north round the peninsular and across to Raasay

Looking down to a MoD station - testing ground for the Polaris submarine fleet

Looking across to the northern tip of Rona

Nothing was going to bother this guy. Jane pleased though to have squeezed past

Lunch picnic site - looking NE to the Torridon hills

What a gem

End of day 2 in sight - the village of Shieldaig across the bay. Wanted it to go on for ever.

Shieldaig and another good dinner and night .....

........ here in this superb hotel. Could get used to this !

Looking north over Loch Torridon to Beinn Alligan

Nearing the end of trip. Jane and Johannes savouring a final piece of homemade chocolate cake at cafe close to village of Kishorn