Cycle: 25.87//1hr40min //15.42
Tuesday September 10
Today we took the train from Edinburgh to Inverness. If you ever train, book a forward facing seat, and cross your fingers that you don't sit next to plus size passengers. After spending a little time in a coffee shop in Inverness, we cycled to the nearby town of Beauly to meet our WarmShowers hosts! The road from Inverness to Beauly was a little scary due to no shoulder and fast frequent moving traffic (evening rush hour). Photo taking, water drinking, looking around, are all OUT. As a matter of fact, all energy is put into holding a straight line while lorries go by, their draft pushing you about.
About a mile out of Beauly, I was riding close behind Madalene, trying to tell a story of these reflective chest belts for safety when we came upon construction. I saw the pylons too late, drifted into one, rebounded, and went sailing (rubber side NOT down). Crash! Head, shoulder, knee into the gravel. Somehow not injured, although, the bike suffered. I tore the seat off my bike with my leg.
Our warm showers experience with John, Lizzy and their two daughters Mairi and Katie was amazing. These wonderful people have never themselves used WarmShowers, but decided to join for for the joy of hosting. They had such generosity in spirit, time, in addition to freely offering great food, room, and of course showers! We all shared such easy and interesting conversation, you wouldn't know we had just met. Lizzy crafted a delicious dinner including home made bread and apple tart, followed by impromptu whiskey tasting courtesy of John, and sipping of Irish cream influenced by Lizzy. John took it upon himself to fix my broken seat and Lizzy, nurse that she is, was ready to help with my wounds.
In the morning we awoke to the smells of fresh scones baking, a lovely warm fire, and delicious coffee. We made our own breakfast, but couldn't resist also trying a fresh scone with melted butter, jam, and hand whipped cream!! We are so grateful to John and Lizzy for opening their home and being the wonderful people that they are.
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| Coffee shop in Inverness. |
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| On a bridge in Beauly, one of the few shots with the two of us! |
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| Our WarmShowers hosts John and Lizzy. |
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| John and Lizzy brought out whiskey, Irish Cream, and Buckfast! |
