So near, so Farr.

I have a couple of days to report upon.  Our last night at Duncansby Head blew a hoolie.  We were in probably one of the most exposed places in the country so we shouldn't have been too surprised.  There was thunder and very high winds which kept us awake through the night.  It had calmed down to normal bluster in the morning.

We were a little unsure about where we were aiming for but eventually plumped for a certified location on the eastern side of Loch Ness.  Our journey was fairly uneventful with no stops of interest.  The site was adjacent to a small hotel....nice and handy.  The hotel is near Farr, Farr being a small village nearby, so Farr so good.  If we went further we would have been nearer Farr but he who goes further may not get too far!!  I didn't intend to milk this location, Farr from it!

Anyway, it is very pretty here with clear views in all directions, so we decided to stay a second night.

We went for a little drink at the hotel in the evening.  Nice comfy settees in the bar and wifi, excellent and we had a nice chat with some other guests.  I managed to check my emails.  In an email from my elder brother, David, he told me that our Great Grandad actually lived in Aberfoyle for a number of years which is something that I never knew.

After a good sleep (making up for the night before), we cycled 13 miles into Inverness.  

We met this dodgy clansman!  By the look of him he could have been related to my Great Grandfather too?

We heard on the local radio that a man called Mark Beaumont had completed the North Highlands 500 mile Cycle Challenge in 38 hours, breaking the previous record by 10 hours.  He has been an inspiration to me for his long distance cycling exploits.  He cycled around the world and did a great TV programme of him cycling the Americas (from Alaska to Chile, climbing a couple of the biggest mountains as well).  He actually started and finished this challenge from Inverness Castle and sadly we missed him by a day.

Here is Inverness Castle with a statue of Flora MacDonald outside it.  Janice is trying to do her impersonation of Flora.  I have to humour her sometimes!

We checked out the City Museum and called into Boots the Chemist where Janice squirted me with a sample bottle of David Beckham aftershave.  I have strong views about how David Beckham has achieved so much wealth and celebrity by virtue of having one talented foot, so you will understand that I was taken aback.  Contrary to my views, Janice likes David Beckham and used to have a picture of him in her work drawer (I'm probably giving too much private information)!  I did forgive her when she started calling herself 'Posh' and uncontrollably draped herself over me whilst still in the shop!  When we left the store it was like a scene of the Benny Hill Show with a line of women following after me......in my dreams!!

We popped into the M&S cafe and had coffee and a cheesy scone....very nice.  Then had a little walk along the River Ness which included the Cathedral.

Back on our bikes for the uphill struggle back to the site.  The day had actually brightened up.  It is another day in Scotland where we have managed to stay dry....we class that as a success.  So I finished the day with something wet....

I never had a 'sheepshagger' before!