Mulling it over
It is now abundantly clear that the seats on the Caledonian Sleeper are designed for no other purpose than to persuade you to pay, an additional £34 per person, for a berth where there might be a danger of being able to sleep. I can sleep on most train seats, but such was the skill and attention to detail of the designer of these particular seats, that they were uncomfortable in all particulars: the back curved exactly the wrong way to accommodate the human spine; the headrest sloped toward the head, forcing your head forward in a most uncomfortable manner; the spacing between seats was such that there was minimal legroom; and the overall effect was a restlessness, an aching tailbone, a stiff neck and a night devoid of restful sleep.
In such a weary condition did we arrive yesterday in Glasgow, where at 7am we made a beeline for the ticket office and upgraded our return tickets. Another success for the chair designer.
The three hours from Glasgow to Oban were more pleasantly spent - the train was full but spacious enough to allow com
fort. It did, however, arrive slightly late and there was a mad dash for the ferry, where we were loaded on with the cars, which was a little intimidating.
All too soon we arrived at Craignure on Mull and faced the part I had been dreading for months: the 23 mile ride across the island to Dervaig. Either the lack of sleep had rendered me insensible of physical fatigue, or I am in fact fitter than I thought (or indeed, look), but we made it in 2 hours 15, which included several stops to admire scenery. Which isn’t bad really, as parts of the road are quite rough, and almost none of it is flat! I must speak up in praise of panniers: I barely noticed the fact I was carrying 90 litres of luggage, except on the steeper inclines, and am amazed how easy and practical they make holidaying by bicycle.
We were too tired yesterday afternoon (we arrived here at 3pm) to do anything but bathe, eat and sleep. I think it was the promise of a bath that had kept me going up the last few hills.
This morning we arose at 7.30 (although through long habit I had awoken at 05:40 and was surprised to see no Mogret staring at me). Breakfast was consumed and then we started the ride to Calgary Bay. For those that have seen our wedding photos, this was where they were taken. It’s about 5 miles from Dervaig, so it didn’t take too long to get there and we were soon paddling in the sea like a couple of children, splashing and dancing into the waves. We stayed on the beach for a while and then started the ride back to Dervaig. It didn’t take quite so long to get back, as the return journey seemed to be mostly downhill. I honestly didn’t notice the journey there being especially uphilly, but it must have been, as I got up a fair turn of speed on the way back, freewheeling most of it.
Tomorrow we shall venture on the bus to Tobermory, as I do not fancy that road by bike - it is a winding road that cars take far too fast, and I don’t think it cycle-friendly.
I love this house we are staying in: the owner is warm and friendly and the household consists of 2 cats, 2 dogs, numerous chickens and some ducks. There are mushrooms too, but they live elsewhere. In fact, on the cat front I have been especially bless’d as I have met no less than seven cats so far. The two that live here are most delightful.
Our cats are apparently failing to pine for us - we spoke to Phil’s house-sitting mother earlier. There has been an incident of an even randomer cat breaking in through the cat flap; a cat that I had mocked Phil about before as he insisted it had been in the house but we never saw it since so I declared he had dreamed it. Now mum has seen it too. It will have to be discouraged as we only adopt waifs and strays.
Oh dear, it looks like I’m going to have to suffer the sight of another glorious sunset over the loch. Shucks, it’s a hard life..