A few hours in the Scottish Highlands.

By Motormeisje on Augustus 9, 2006 at 22:24
Despite the rain...
Since early this morning (August 9) there is a drizzle from time to time, here in Inverness. Even so Roelof and I decide to go for a ride on the bikes, around elven-thirty. When I was here in Inverness last year, I found a nice road. Then there was fresh gravel and all on my own I didn't think it was a good idea to go on. Imagine something would happen, out of season (end of september). How many people would pass by on a daily basis in this less-populated area? So I turned back near a farm. This time we are with the two of us, that gives me far more confidence. I lead, then I can determine the speed and Roelof enjoys it, that he can simply follow. So we take the road to Blackfold.

Surprise...
In the 30 kilometres on this road we had only 2 oncoming cars and we overtook a pedestrian. When I turn around a bend to the left, I see a fox sitting on the road. When approaching, it jumps up and runs in the undergrowth. I keep following this road. Up far I see water, what Loch would that be? While decending my counter passes the 41.500 km. Like there is no end, the road still goes down, until I come around a final bend and stand in front of an A-road. There is a sign with only one word: Fort William. Then a big smile appears on my face. We have been driving in circles. We just drove up the mountain and we've come down not that far away on the same road, the A82. Right in front of me is Loch Ness. We'd better go into the direction of Fort william, otherwise we will be back on base real soon.

Second attempt.
In the village of Drumnadrochit we turn right. Just ouside the village there is a servicestation. A good opportunity to fuel-up. The Highlands are not exactly famous for the amount of service-stations. There are already 248 km on the day-counter and then you don't have a good feeling driving in the middle of nowhere. So I choose the road to Beauly. While driving on the single-track roads, I realise, that Beauly lies next to Inverness and so I turn into an other direction. Almost every 50 metres, there is a passing place. A place where 2 cars can pass each other. After 45 km through the mountains (all with droplets on my visor, because it is still drizzling) we end up near a hydro-water-plant. Here the road becomes wider and there is more traffic. Eventually we end up near Drumnadrochit again.

For old time sake.
From Drumnadrochit, we drive into the direction of Inverness. We pass by Dochgarroch, where there is a lock into Loch Ness (on the northern side). Two years ago we met Ed here for the very first time, in Oakwood. An antique and curiosityshop/postoffice/coffeehouse. We kept in touch and we stay with them now. Last year I was there on my own, now we are together. We have a coffee in Oakwood, just because we want to have another look. Getting back in memory, but the large oval tables are replaced by smaller ones and it is now serving bar-meals. There is still the post-office. On the beams there are still hanging items for sale from Yester-years. For a moment we are back in time. Then we return to the bikes in order to go back to base and get some groceries for dinner. On arrival back, my counter rolls over the 41.600 km. Today we only drove 120 km, but we've really enjoyed it.

Betty Smit.
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