A Very Hot Weekend.

As the wonderfully warm Summer continues, it was with much excitement that I headed off North for a long overdue weekend away camping.

Escaping from work about an hour earlier than normal, we headed North on the Friday evening and  had a smooth drive up to Applecross. Arriving about 9.30 in the evening we were thankfully lucky enough to get a tent spot in the very busy campsite. A quick tent set up and it was off to the bar for a cooling pint of cider and relaxation to break in the weekend gently.

The following morning it was an early start to try and get on the road so we could at least cycle for a short period in relatively cool air, despite our 8.30 start this did not last long and the heat soon started to kick in.

It was our plan to cycle the Applecross peninsula loop which includes the Bealach Na Ba. This pass is one of the toughest cycle routes in the UK. We started out from the campsite and headed round towards Shieldaig which would mean that the daunting 6 mile climb would be at the end of our 45 mile cycle.

The 25 miles round to Shieldaig were extremely undulating in parts, but the roads were quiet and the sky was blue and there was no wind. Wonderful conditions, although the air temp was rising and rising. Reaching our first stop in Shieldaig we contemplated our options whilst having a cold drink and an ice-cream. Do we turn around and go back rather than face the very long and hot climb over the pass?

It was decided that going back the same way, which would be extremely hilly and a fraction longer was just not an option. So cycling an 8 mile flattish stretch and grinding with all our might till we reached the final few miles of downhill was the only way to go.

I knew that there was no way that I would make it the whole way to the top, as I just do not have the leg power and Dolly simply does not have enough granny gears, but we were determined to see how far we could get.

We eventually got off to walk with about 2 miles of the hill still to go. I just did not have the fitness, but the heat was incredible. It was like cycling in an oven, there was just no air at all and even if we managed to get a gentle breeze it was warm air, almost unheard of in Scotland.

I am glad that I have now tried the Bealach na ba, and may well go back and try again at some point, but I will make sure that I do more hill training and go hopefully at a time when it is not a heatwave.

The benefits of a very hard but fantastic day out is the indulgence in some amazing food and a few cold pints of cider which we had at the Applecross Inn. A perfect end to an incredible day.

Today we took our time coming back home and stopped off at Laggan, Wolftrax for a short but fun mountain bike ride. Although it was another scorcher and we had very tired legs it was a lovely way to break up the journey and make the most of the final few hours of the weekend.

Dolly taking in the sites.

So pretty.

A wee island at Shieldaig.

OMG!

Going up.

And up.

And up.

Top!

Campsite sunset.

Maserati and sunset.

Aah that's better.

Life is good.

Peace x

All photos by Caroline Harvey.

H2Oh my God!

Well what is there to say about the last week other than it has been wet. We have had flash floods, rivers bursting their banks, road closures and general traffic chaos. On Wednesday it took me an hour and a half to travel about 4 miles, at the end of a long day it was not pleasing for me or all the other commuters trying to get home.

Ocean terminal.

For me, like many others I presume, the bad weather really does take it's toll on my mood and motivation. The Summer is the time when I like to recharge my batteries with plenty of outdoor activities and fresh air, I need this to survive the long dark nights of the Winter, but this year so far that has been so hard to do. Granted I was not well recently but today was the first dry day in weeks that I have been able to go out for a wee tour on Dolly. She has been so underused that her tyres had gone quite flat. I hope that does not happen with the real Dolly! It was great to get out, although I am kind of worried about my fitness levels, but will struggle on.

I think this is referring to Summer.

Fog and rain.

Hearts and flowers.

Forget me nots?

I eventually found some sunshine on Friday in Aberfoyle. It really was quite blinding to my unadjusted eyes, but sat out for my lunch and tried to absorb as much vitamin D as possible.

I found the sun.

Yesterday (Saturday) was still absolutely disgusting and rained for the whole day, so the only sensible thing to do was go for a bit of retail therapy. I found what I think will become my most loved pair of shoes. Always been a fan of them cowboys. Further cheering up was found in a bottle of wine and a good blether with my fabulous friend Hazel. Good times.

New shoes. Yee Haa.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Summer sun on the North East coast

Crovie

A few weeks ago I headed North to visit the Mater and Pater with my beautiful nieces. Did the sun shine? Yes. Did the girls have fun? Yes. Did Grace jump in the water within the forst 15 minutes of arriving? Yes. Was the water cold? You bet your life it was. Did I, as a great and loyal Auntie follow and play joyfully in the water? Absolutely not. I did however watch carefully from the side and shivered at the very thought. Brrrrrrr.

An attractive photo of me taken by Grace, I think Rose was behind trying to do the usual rabbit ear thing but she is cut out. Cheeky monkey!

Flying fox action

The blue sky says warm, the North sea still says Baltic

Yo Dude!

Not quite point break, but very, very brave.

All photos by Caroline Harvey