second mini trip - the northern highlands

On Friday morning we embarked on mini cycle trip number 2, this time heading north to the Northern Highlands. We spent a couple of days driving around this part of Scotland last summer and were excited to go back. It's amazing up there, so dramatic and expansive. In some parts the hills are barren and endless, dotted with bright blue lakes which add to the overall impression that you are on an exotic Star Trek planet.

We passed lots of deer and Matthew took some video footage of them running over the hills. Meanwhile I took some snaps and here is one of two majestic stags who obligingly went to the top of the hill for some perfect silhouette shots. Earlier we had been urging them to go to the top of the hill, Matthew yelling "don't you know anything about composition!! I'm working with amateurs!" and then "that's it! now pout!" and finally "cheque's in the mail!" and "don't call us, we'll call you!" as we obnoxiously hopped on our bikes and wobbled away from these far more impressive and sensible animals.

We found a beautiful camp spot by the sea near Portvasgo.

Despite being pooped, neither of us slept too well - hopefully we will toughen up after a few weeks on the road (and warmer nights will help too).

The next morning, the weather was still fine but by the time we had packed up it was beginning to drizzle. We hauled the bikes through farmland and onto a ridiculously steep road which we struggled up in the increasing drizzle - not a nice way to ease into the day! About 10 km later we reached Tongue and sought refuge in the wonderful, cosy Tongue Hotel - we are eternally grateful to the lovely lady there who welcomed us in our bedraggled state and proceeded to get the fire roaring and a big pot of tea for me and a giant delicious latte for Matthew. She also gave us some home made tablet to comfort us (tablet is a traditional Scottish sweet very like fudge).

Warm and dry again, we concluded that the constant rain was not going to ease any time soon so we sadly left the roaring fire and nice lady and returned to our damp saddles and steep hills. It wasn't so bad really and we managed to make reasonable time back to the car. Overall, we completed about 42 km on day 1, then 64 km on day 2. We both relished having a real bed to sleep in that night and slept like giant babies. I really hope we are not softies and that camping becomes easier once we settle into it (and perhaps when our camp spot is somewhere less damp and cold) (but I love you anyway Scotland).