Another fab, sunny day in Scotland, marred only slightly by Emily having a very painful and swollen Achilles tendon (perfectly mirroring Ollie's injuries but a day or two behind - she is now closely watching his developing pains so she knows which muscles to stretch!
Our Cycling Britain book recommends taking 3 days to cover today's 85 miles, with the first described as the 'toughest day of the lot'! It was no surprise, therefore, that we had a particularly demanding morning through the heart of the gorgeous Grampians which involved 7 big hills, 3 of them monsters - they made Ditchling Beacon on the London - Brighton look like a small knoll!
On the way up the (1:4 gradient) Lecht Pass, Emily was gasping in the cold mountain air so hard that she was coughing for the rest of the day! We'd love to try them again one day when we're not dragging 25kg of weight each, and nursing 800 miles worth of aches and pains! Didn't get off and push though, and various tourists and walkers at the side of the road cheered and clapped, which spurred us on!
The downhills were absolutely awesome and worthy of some very loud whoops!
Stopped for a coffee at Tomintoul, where we resisted the temptation to visit the Whiskey Museum - although a shot of single malt may well have helped us!
Onwards to Inverness, through some fantastic countryside, passing by spectacular rivers and waterfalls. Had an amusing moment when Emily took a sneaky photo of a man in full Scottish national dress, only for him to come over and say in a broad New Orleans accent "so how far've y'all cycled today then?". Gotta love American tourists.
Slightly nervous about our 100+ mile day tomorrow, but our more immediate problem is what to have for dinner tonight as Emily can't walk more than about 5 metres. Anyone have the number for Domino's in Inverness...?
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