Tuesday July 1, 2014

Happy Canada Day.

The clouds were grey and overcast this morning, and it was a little cool.  I put my socks on and we both wore our wind breakers for the first 10 kms.  We had to backtrack into Perth this morning from our camp site at the Perth Raceway camp site.  We made it through Perth and headed up the A9.  It wasn’t a bad route for the first 20 kms, then it got busier and became a dual carriageway. There are often traffic signs which are very strange.  Both of these signs let motorists know whether there is police presence or not.

We had come of the A90 briefly to follow another National Cycle Route, but we seemed to be wandering all over the place again, so we got back on to the A9.  Ralf was behind me shouting out transports, but they weren’t too bad.  The busy A roads are so noisy all I can concentrate on is the road.  About 5 miles from Pitlochry we were passed by a Highway Maintenance lorry who pulled into the lay-by ahead of us.  He waved us into the lay-by.  I thought oh no we are in trouble.  No, the kind man said “I bet you’re not enjoying this are ye?”  We agreed that is wasn’t much fun.  He told us where to get off to follow a more direct rural road into Pitlochry and even better told us of the old A9 that we could follow tomorrow all the way to Aviemore.  Thank you – a road angel.

We found our campsite, and settled in.  I did a load of laundry, the sun came out this afternoon and this campsite actually has a place to hang the washing.

While I was waiting for the washing to get done I ‘planned’ a route for Ireland.  Now we just have to work out how to get there.  15 hours on a train with 5 changes ! or rent another vehicle!

There are going to be a few things we have to check out when we are in Inverness. Trains, planes and automobiles and ferries to Ireland.

Ralf was in a bit of fug this afternoon.  He has been struggling with the lack of customer service and today he didn’t get a hot shower – luke warm at best.  Then he discovered we had to pay to wash our dishes – 0.20p for hot water.  The camp site was cheaper, 11.50 for the night, I think that is because we now realize we can ask for a backpackers pitch.

We also discovered today that there are campsites for the remaining days of our trip – Aviemore, (warmshowers near Inverness), Brora, Wick and 2 at John O’Groats.