The Three Amigos

The Three Amigos

What a difference a day makes. Today has been a brilliant day and as I sit here typing I've got the sun on my face, a gentle breeze keeping the midges at bay and the most spectacular view!

Camp spot view

The first good thing to happen today was that I went downstairs to check on The Beast and found a big slab of fruit and nut chocolate in my bike helmet!

Chocolate

I'm guessing it was left by fellow cyclist Graham who I shared my beer and chocolate with last night, a lovely gesture and most appreciated. I then headed out to the post office and the lady there told me that when the post came in she would look out for my package and would keep it for me there so that I could collect it rather than waiting for a postie to deliver it. Come noon I walked in with my fingers crossed and she held up a package, woohoooo my contact lenses have arrived and I'm back in business.

An hour later I said my goodbyes to Tobermory and hit the road. It didn't even bother me that it was a big hill to start with, I was just glad to be back in the saddle and on the move. The road west out towards Calgary Bay was hilly from the start but I felt great. My legs felt good and I was smiling from ear to ear. The three amigos were back together again, Monkey, The Beast and myself, out on the open road enjoying the delights of Mull.

Green loch view

The sun was shining and the endoprhins were pumping as I reached a viewpoint just above Dervaig.

The three amigos at viewpoint

Rolling into Calgary Bay it was lovely and warm and I found the ideal way to cool down - ice cream, mmmmmmmmm!

Ice cream

I wandered along the beach and then sat taking in the view in the afternoon sun.

Calgary Bay

I could have sat there for hours but there was much more to be explored today. The road followed the coast and headed south along the west of Mull.

I was in my element and loving every minute of the riding and as I spun the pedals to the crest of a hill I had a wonderful reward at the top.

Viewpoint at top of hill

Cruising down the other side and along a twisting coastal road was glorious. Ah, this is the life my friends, this is the life! If only I could bottle this feeling I would be a rich woman, haha. I would love to be able to share this feeling with others, to allow them to feel just how I feel when I'm riding because some people just don't have that kind of joy in their lives. Cycle therapy - making the world a happier place one pedal stroke at a time! 😀

As I inched around the coast the island of Ulva looked beautiful. I rode down to the ferry not even knowing whether it would be running and within a few minutes the boat had brought some people back over and I decided to check it out. The ferryman hauled The Beast onboard and it took literally a minute or so to reach the other side.

Beast on ferry

The Boathouse

It was 4:45pm and the last ferry back was at 5pm so it looked like I would be finding my camp spot here for the night. Grabbing a pot of tea and a rather huge piece of chocolate brownie from the cafe they gave me a map of the island with some walking routes on it.

Tea and brownie

Chatting to the lady in the cafe she recommended heading out to Cragiag bothy as it would be rideable on the bike and although it was a private bothy and not open to the public it would be a nice place to camp.

The first part of the track ran through a lush green wood which was muddy and steep.

Greenery

It then broke out into a rocky trail and I was happy as Larry. Off roading The Beast was loving it and then up ahead appeared the most amazing view. The pictures don't do it justice at all, and I literally gasped and wooped and was floored by the beauty of scattered islands.

Amazing view of islands

These views get me every time and I never tire of seeing islands, sea and mountains.

Happy Jayne

As the trail continues I have to push through some sections and before long the bothy appears. There are 2 boats moored just off the shore here and I decide to continue on a bit further out of their view. In the next little inlet I make camp for the night and boy what a wonderful spot it is.

Camp spot

Camp spot too

A fantastic day of fun filled biking and an unexpected sleepover on another island. Time for some fruit and nut to celebrate!

Trip Summary:

  • Miles ridden = ???
  • Ice creams eaten = 9
  • Ferries taken = 28
  • Islands visited = 24
  • Wild camp nights = 36
  • Ticks removed from body = 8
  • Distilleries visited = 8
  • Breweries visited = 3
  • Bothy nights = 6
  • Trips to A & E = 1