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Wednesday.
Today was warmer than we have been used to so far and we dropped into Oban for our ferry to Kerrera manned by a very lean gent who we found is a keen runner and has even run in Borneo. Being a kind man he charged us half fare, which meant we could give another £5 to Cancer Research making the total so far in cash gifts from people we met on the way to £110. Kerrera was very nice and we cycled on the unmade roads for a third of he way round he island until we came to a nice cottage selling coffee and scones which Bill could not resist so we had to stop. From Kerrera there are some very nice views back into Oban and also out to sea which are just too much to resist. My camera must be nearly full by now since there are so many opportunities to capture the moment. Time was now running out so we had to return the same way and catch the ferry back to shore and make ready for our mid afternoon ferry to Lismore.
The Race Across Lismore. Having caught the 2pm ferry from
Oban we arrived on Lismore at 2.50 which gave us 25 minutes to get the 6 miles across the island to catch the next ferry to Port Appin. We reckoned that with a flat run and a prevailing wind we could just about do it. However, non of these was in our favour and the road out of the port was about 15% for about one mile, a right turn straight into the wind followed with ups and downs forever. Lismore is NOT a flat island. With me in front and Bill tucked behind we sped off, if that can be the right term for old men (well one anyhow) on touring bikes with heavy panniers. We sped across the moor scattering once friendly walkers as we went and landed at the ferry terminal just to see the ferry 20 metres out at sea. If the pilot had eyes in the back of his head he was not using them because off he sailed away into he distance oblivious to our plight. We had to wait another hour for him to return before we could continue our journey of 20 miles to Ballachulish to find some accommodation for the night. The only consolation was that several of the disembarking passengers gave us money for Cancer Research making it now £32 today and £130 in cash since we started, not forgetting the people who have donated onto 'Just Giving'. Thank you all. Upon arriving in Port Appin we had a coffee and scones to help us on our way to Ballachulish. This journey was very pleasant with the majority of it on Sustrans Cycleroutes alongside Lock Linne. We had not had any accommodation booked so Bill got a lead from someone on twitter and found a place to stay in Ballachulish. We arrived at the Lyn Leven Guest House to find that it was 4 star and maybe beyond our budget. However, we found the proprietor very amenable and we can highly recommend it. It is very clean and comfortable with excellent rooms and showers and the price was right. We have had an excellent day, which was considerably warmer and pleasant cycling, for the mainland, and collected a record sum for our cause.
Well someone has to do it.
Don,t forget you can see Bill's blog at; billhoneywell.blogspot.co.uk
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