A Jaunt up Harris ......

Twas a good decision to stay in Leverburgh overnight - the hostel was different with a jaunty style run by a guy who was proud of the fact he was kicked out of Sandhurst. I believe in those day homosexuallity was illegal in the services and this could have been the reason. However he ran a great hostel. We shared a 6 berth room with an older dutch couple who had electric bike - this will be the future for us I am sure!

0730 Pat and I rode out to find St Clements Church and our next cycle quest.

We took the wrong road - we cyycled 3 miles with a westerly gale behind us and the only way to get to the church was via a 1 mile muddy track. No way - the cycle back to the hostel was hard - the internet is a wonderful thing and gave us the answer to the quest - yeah!

There were a group of about 7 lads - I say lads, they were about 30ish on a cycling thingy with vehicle support. They were hoping to get out to St Kilda but the boats were all cancelled. They were humming and haaring about what to do, I senced a reluctance to get out into the westerly 20 knot wind. We hardened guys had no such reluctance and headed off initially to the west into it and then gradually went north and eventually eat across the centre of Harris.

We stopped at a visitor centre and learnt about the geology and geaneology of the Islands - fascinating, Pat has mentioned all about it in his blog. This is a stunning coast, languid white sand beaches and rugged headlands and islets. We stopped on a windy headland for lunch - we were interupted by the 7 lads who had braved the elements to cycle around Harris - good on them. Just as we were setting off Richy, my son, rang to say they are catching tonights ferry across to the Islands - 40 knots predicted - I hope he has a sick bag close to hand. Unfortunately we are too far north now to meet up but I believe he and a mate are kite suffing and kayaking - good luck wiith that although it looks as though the weather is slowly improving.

The sun came out a little, no rain and mainly a following wind - no rain gear on for the first time in a week. We had a good breeze pushing us up the biggest hill so far this trip, We then cruised down into Tarbet where we are in a backpackers hostel. We have been impressed with the standard of hostels, all provide duvets etc. coffee, tea and some cereals and bread - about 20 to 25 per night.

We popped into the Post Office and despatched out tents home - we are not going to camp as the accommodaion is good and we have booked up until we leave. Anything to lighten our bikes as we are in the mountains tomorrow with a big hill day! Our distance today was just over 26 miles and our odo stands at 303mls.