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Day 28 : Broadford to Broadford (85.6 miles) around Skye

Day 28 complete – and still it rains. Poured down all last night and have had frequent heavy showers all day.

We are staying 2 nights at the Camping Skye site at Broadford so Matt could cycle round the island today. He did 85.6 miles with 1598m climbing.

Left at 9.20am and cycled to Sligachan, then A863 to Dunvegan, A850 to Borve then the A87 through Portree and back to Broadford arriving at 4.15pm.

Steve and I drove to Portree which is 25 miles from the campsite – a lovely little town with some unique shops and a very pretty harbour.

Fortunately the rain stopped long enough for us to walk round in the dry which made a change. Some stunning scenery on the drive with mountains and lochs. Would definitely like to return to see more.

Pretty chilly today.

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Day 27 : Fort William to Broadford (112.3)

Day 27 complete – 112.3 miles, 1808m climbing. Very heavy rain all night.

Matt left Fort William at 7.20am and cycled along the A830 and down to the A861 to Lochailort and on to Mallaig where he caught the 3.50pm ferry to Armadale, Isle of Skye and then followed the A851/A87 to Skye Camping at Broadford.

We were worried the ferry may be cancelled as there were warnings along the road for disruption due to wind and heavy rain.

Rained on and off along the A82/A87 to Skye and has got heavier and more persistant.
9th day in Scotland and the rest day in Stranraer was the only dry day so far ?

Steve and I drove along the A830 to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Memorial.

This was used in the Harry Potter films sadly we didn’t see the steam train going over it. Got absolutely drenched.

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Day 26 : Lochgilphead to Fort William (83.5 miles)

Day 26 complete 83.5 miles, 739m climbing. Woke up to heavy rain followed by heavy showers all day but at least he had a tail wind.

Left Lochgilphead at 8.30am and soaked within 5 mins.  Cycled to Bellanoch, Kilmartin along A816 all the way to Cleigh up to Connel and across the bridge where he saw lots of seals playing in the water.

Onto NC cycle route NC78 up to North Ballachulish and then followed the A82 to Fort William.


Steve and I drove the A816 coastal route with stunning scenery and lochs stopping in Oban then to Ballachulish and A82 to Fort William

Staying in the Glen Nevis campsite under Ben Nevis.  Watched people starting their climb and last night lots of lights of people coming down in the dark.

Dinner out last night at the restaurant on site.

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Day 25 : Carradale to Lochgilphead (84.5 miles Over 50 % Completed)

“What an achievement.. Over 2,000 miles and just over 50% of the total miles completed”

Day 25 complete – 84.5 miles, 1,311m climbing. Quite a challenge today as it rained heavily on and off all day.

Matt left at 8.20am in the rain from Carradale campsite to Campbeltown then on to West port and up to West Tarbert down to Dunmore, Kimberly and up to Inverneill before arriving at Lochgilphead at 3.15pm.

The campsite is opposite Loch Gilp within walking get distance of a nice little town with some lovely different little shops. A lot of the hotels/pubs in Scotland where we have been are not serving food as they have no staff.

Steve and I started off on the A842 which was very hilly in places but not as narrow as yesterday. Stopped in Campbeltown but raining so hard we just took a couple of photos and drove on up the A83 all the way to Lochgilphead.

Some stunning scenery along the coast.

“shame it was raining most of the day!”

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Day 24 : Luss to Carradale (93.5 miles)

Day 24 complete – 93.5 miles, 1538m climbing. Matt is now over half way in miles – 2,006 miles.

Weather was drizzly then heavier showers but the wind was the main problem for Matt.

Our trip in the Motorhome was a bit hairy in places on single track road with passing places but we made it.

Matt cycled from Luss to Arrochar on to Inveraray down to Lochgilphead then round to Tarbert down to Redhouse, Claonaig and then on to Carradale.

“Nice group photo”

Nice campsite with a lovely beach if only the weather had been nice.

“See George is still enjoying himself.. In the water everyday.. Still looking for the ball”

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Day 23 : Largs to Luss (46 miles)

Day 23 complete – 46 miles today with 834m climbing. Luckily a short day as the weather is awful – windy and rainy.

Arrived at Luss Caravan and Camping Site with a nice pitch by Loch Lomond which is shrouded in mist in the rain although George enjoyed a swim!

Matt cycled to Garvock then the road was shut so he had to do a 4 mile detour to Braeside, then past Port Glasgow along to ……

…. Bishopton and across the Erskine Bridge and on to Milton, Alexandria and on to Luss. Similar route to the one we took.

Sadly the weather doesn’t look much better for the next few days” ?

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Day 22 : Portpatrick to Largs (89 miles)

Matt’s doing “AMAZINGLY WELL..” He’s now done just over 2,000 miles since the start of the ride 22 days ago… If you haven’t already PLEASE Donate

Checkout

The signal here is very hit and miss so hopefully you will get this at some point.

Day 22 complete – 88.9 miles, 1445m climbing, dry and sunny with a cross tail wind. Matt left the campsite at 8.20am and arrived at 3.15pm at South Whittlebury Farm just outside Largs.

Cycled to Castle Kennedy, then up to New Luce, Barrhill, round to Girvan, Grangetown, Dailly, Maybole, Allowance, Ayr, past Prestwick airport, to Troon, Irvine, Kilwinning, Dalry down to Fairlie and to Largs.

Steve and I followed the A77/A78 passing Culzeath Castle, Turnberry…..

…. and stopping at Ayr for lunch and a walk along the beach so George could have a swim!

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Day 21 : Rest Day Port Patrick (0 miles)

Day 21 – Rest Day for Matt. Lay in till 8am – luxury!!

Walked into Stranraer this morning a lovely sunny day. George made friends with a pony in the field by the campsite.

Matt’s airbed developed a hole which got bigger so he slept on the ground last night so we managed to get a new one from Argos.

Walked down to the water so George could have a swim. Had tea at a pub in town where we ate last night as it was dog friendly.

Photos from Stranraer including the town centre.

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Day 20 : Kirkcudbright to Port Patrick (103 miles)

Day 20 completed – 102.9 miles, 1202m climbing. Matt left at 8.20am and arrived at the campsite at Stranraer at 4.30pm.

Poured with rain most of the night and he got quite wet for the first 40 miles but then turned into a warm sunny day. Cycled to Castramont, Cretown, Newton Stewart, Wigtown, Isle of Whithorn, Port William, Glenluce, Sandhead, Dinvin, round to Knocknain, Kirkcolm and up to Stranraer.

Steve and I drove the 15 miles to Newton Stewart to visit Jules (who I used to work with in Alton), Ron and Amy in their new house.

They moved up here in Feb from Cornwall and have done some great renovations to the house they bought so it was great to see them.

Matt has a REST DAY tomorrow.

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Day 19 : Maryport to Kirkcudbright (96 miles)

On To Bonnie Scotland

Matt’s doing an amazing job for The Labrador Lifeline Trust.. A well deserved rest after reaching Scotland with his dog George..

Day 19 complete and we’re now in Scotland. Matt left at 8.15am and cycled 95.6 miles today with 1096m climbing.

Cycled up to Allenby, Abbeytown, Fingland, Kirkandrew skirted Carlisle then on to Gretna, along to Annan, Ruthwell, Dumfries and on to Haugh of Urr, Lauriston, Darngarroch and on to Anwoth Holiday Park, Gatehouse of Fleet.

He said he had an enjoyable day’s cycling with some beautiful scenery.

Steve and I drove from Maryport, skirting Carlisle and stopped at Gretna Green on the way, passing Dumfries and Castle Douglas.