You take the high road and we'll take the low road...

Day 9 - Kilmelford to Invergarry Miles 85.8, calories burned 4016, metres climbed - 1120. We had high expectations of breakfast, having seen the visitor's book, and it didn't disappoint.

I fear the same may not have been true for Rosemary and Albert. Sadly, Glenmore Country House only had two rooms, so they had to make do with the Cuilfail hotel down the road. Once again, they provided us with enough snacks to power us all the way to John O Groats. We said our farewells, before heading down the road, crossing our fingers for the weather, which was looking much better than predicted.

After our "rest" day yesterday, I was feeling good, and powered my way up the hill from the village, and along the road by the loch, enjoying the good weather and lovely views. Andy was ahead, and Rachel behind. The route was straightforward - just one turnoff a few miles before Oban to take the nice quiet road rather than the A road to Fort William. Unfortunately, none of us noticed when we zoomed past the turnoff, and Matt, just behind, was left texting and phoning each of us in vain. The three of us rolled into Oban with a look of dismay on our faces, as we realised where we were. So while Matt enjoyed the quiet country route to Connel, we whizzed along the A 82 accompanied by multiple lorries and cars.

Luckily, we all arrived at the same time, and we stuck close together as we continued on towards Fort William, enjoying a road which had been attended to by the work experience white line painter. There were bits of white line blobbed all over the road.  We stopped for lunch no 1 just outside Appin in a cafe  with stunning views and enjoyed the feeling of being the youngest in the place by some decades. Rachel liked the sofas so much she didn't want to leave.

Sections of the road had the smoothest, newest cycle path Tarmac running next to them. Non cyclists will have no idea how much difference the quality of the surface can make, and the road was pretty rough, so it came in very welcome. We applauded Nicola Sturgeon's investment in cycle path maintenance.

The rain finally arrived just before we got to Fort William, but even then it was only a shower, and we could see from the roads that we'd missed much worse.
We were glad to get away from the traffic and mad drivers north of Fort William and to get back onto quiet roads.

We were back to cafe free countryside, but just as Rachel's and my spirits were distinctly flagging, Andy and Matt spotted a posh hotel by the road serving tea. I'm not sure how pleased they were to see four cycling scruffs, but their scone gave me the energy for the last 20 miles to Invergarry.

Ann drove us over to Fort Augustus for dinner with her and Jill. The sticky toffee pudding went down very well.

Another great day, and the end seems to be rushing towards us. Having spent the last two weeks asking myself how much longer I have to do this for, I now don't want it to end.