TTT = 4.5 - a nasty tumble from Em caused by her taking on some of Ollie's weight (due to broke spoke) & subsequently being unable to control the balancing point of her bike! Appropriately though it was right outside Dunfermline A&E!
We Heart Scotland. Had a fantastic day today, with stunning scenery, babbling brooks, scorching sunshine, cute kids in cashmere cardigans...(somebody please stop me)
The broke spoke problem was solved by setting off very early, Emily taking on some extra weight, and cautiously making our way to Perth (occasionally truing the wheel along the way) where Ollie got a brand new wheel fitted to prevent further spoke mishaps. While the wheel was being sorted we had a rare opportunity to actually stop and walk around - Perth is a lovely, lovely town.
The afternoon took us into the Cairngorms, involving absolutely stunning mountain scenery, a very difficult 10 mile climb up Glen Shee (a ski resort - meaning 'Valley of Peace' in Gaelic) then a fantastic 10 mile descent down to the river and into the lovely village of Braemar, home to the Highland Games, which unfortunately we will just miss by 6 days - Ollie does so like to toss a caber or two.
We had a particularly Scottish moment when we cycled past a high hedge and about 100 inquisitive grouse peered out to see what was occurring. Och Aye!
Things we have learnt about Scotland:
1. It's not a myth about the midges. We briefly stopped to stretch half way up Glen Shee and were, in the words of Queen Victoria, half devoured!
2. Scotland has an abundance of wildlife which we've encountered on the roads - grouse, rabbits, hedgehogs, badgers, squirrels, frogs - we've even seen a few living examples of these...
3. Contrary to popular belief, Scotsmen are not tight - one nice chap in the street gave us a tenner for Save the Children! It would, however, have been more meaningful if he hadn't given us funny money (we can always play Monopoly with it!).
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Location:Glenshee Rd,,United Kingdom
Keep it up guys! I cannot believe how tough you two are.
ReplyDeleteTim
Glad Scotland is being good to you :)
ReplyDeletexx
You are doing brilliantly brilliantly well, well done - v impressed. But if you need to take the train to avoid crippling yourselves, do it! As you say, you can make the miles up in RP...
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to hearing all about, xxxx