28/4/15
Amazingly, we have arrived in Kilmartin on the day we had predicted over a year ago. Since there are no rules to our journey some shortcuts mean we have managed to make up lost time by avoiding the Kintyre peninsula.
The A83 out of Tarbert was not too busy and skirted the banks of the grand fish-laden waters of Loch Fyne. The occasional truck stress was made bearable by some wildlife sightings- Eider ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers and the amusing sight of a seal struggling to eat a huge salmon that had escaped from a fish farm.
We left the road at Ardrishaig to cycle along the tow path of the Crinan Canal that has provided ships, since 1801, with an excellent way to avoid the exposed journey around the Mull of Kintyre. Perhaps our shortcut was fitting!
A Thai prawn and coconut soup was out of place but delicious in the Cairnbaan Hotel and an opportune pause while the worst of the hail and rain fell. We watched a large boat coming through the lock gates.
Hail showers and sunny spells followed as we continued along quiet roads and paths to Kilmartin via the historic trail of burial mounds, standing stones and stone circles.
Figures:
Distance:- 39.2 km
Cycle Time:- 2 hours 52 minutes
Average speed:- 13.3 kph
Total Distance:- 2068 km
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