LEJOG Day 18
The owner of the Guest House had told me that “breakfast was served between 8.30 and 9.30.” Given the fact the sun rises before 5, I was well awake by 7 and went for a walk.
I returned to the Guest House exactly at 8.30 and entered the breakfast room. The staff member responsible for the breakfast told me that I “was early”. I was not in good mood. My response that: “I was told that breakfast would be served at 8.30. I assumed that the ‘8.30’ in question was 8.30 a.m”. The staff member seemed perplexed. It also appeared that the menu was an ambit claim in reverse. The establishment made offers it was not expect would be requested. A long list of items was reduced to: ” bacon and eggs and toast”. To be fair it was well cooked – the toast that this.
The route took me north up the Isle of Arran. There was one serious ‘up’ as I approach the end of the island. This of course meant a serious and glorious ‘down’ into the village of Lochranza.
I rode to the ferry terminal to check out the next ferry. A fellow cyclist was at the terminal. As usual a conversation ensued. It turned out that he was a commercial artist that “drew pretty little pictures for a fee”. This included advertising agencies, magazines and anyone else who was prepared to pay him. He had worked out that with the aid of technology, he could work from anywhere. Given that, he was working from anywhere. He has spent 3 months in the Greek Islands and now decided to ride through Scotland, working a few hours very couple of days. I said that the work sounded interesting. His response was that “it was mind numbingly boring”. I refrained from telling him I was a qualified accountant.
I had to wait about 2 hours for the ferry crossing to the mainland. There was a small sandwich place serving roast pig rolls near the ferry terminal. The said pig was on display (check out the Flickr Link). The pig tasted great. I was a bit disconcerting to see the actual source of the meat.
The shop owner had Radio 5 playing – Test Match Special. Australia was “none for 50 odd ” and looking good.
The patrons of the shop ate the pig outside. One was an extremely attractive 40’s something woman with a couple of young kids and another family. The group engaged me in the usual conversation: “where are riding to, where are you from, and so on”? I was tempted to take a picture of her. I suspect she may be an actress. I may have to go to more movies, the theatre or watch TV.
The ferry finally arrived. Three motor bikes arrived to take the ferry: Triumph Speed Triple, Ducati Monster and a Harley. This time I avoided chatting to the owners.
The ride further north was long – picturesque, but long.
It was late when I finally made it to G Loch. I found the camping ground, again without the need for the Garmin, which incidentally did not know of its existence. The Warden seemed to charge me less than the listed price – maybe be because I was on bike. He also gave me a detailed itinerary for a ‘pub crawl’, including meal – three places in all. Saturday is big in G N. The food was good and the last pub was a classic – two small rooms full of locals that insisted on buying me local ale or a whiskey. I had one that latter. That was one too much.
I slept well in the tent.
Flickr Link
billrider2013 