Safe Return Doubtful

54 miles (87 km) – Total so far: 221 miles (356 km)

The forecast of the next couple of days was not good. Heavy rain setting in mid morning, then the following day of heavy showers. Trying to break the back of the ride before the rain, I was up and riding by 8 am, with breakfast after the big hill at Broadford at 9:30 am having made excellent time. Now heading into the south westerly I got to Armadale for lunchtime only to hear that the spring tides meant the next two ferries were cancelled. A welcome rest however, and good chat with two riders from Northern Ireland who were just finishing their 5 days. The tide was high enough for the 4 pm ferry to run, and by 4:45 pm we had arrived at Mallaig. The rain was now steady, and the 22 miles into Lochailort were tough, into the southerly wind also. Rarely has a hotel been more welcome. The landlady kindly permitted camping in the chefs garden and after a speedy change of wet gear I was I the bar with an Isle of Mull Red Monk. It was to be a great night, chatting with some drunken fishermen, and guys working on the local fish farm. For most of the evening, after dinner luckily, the power was out – so it was candlelit, just enough light to find the whisky.

That’s enough for the day.
Driving rain, big wind – and this looks like a decent boozer