Day 2 Ford to Crianlarich. 46.35 mil. 2173 ft elevation.

We awoke to brilliant sunshine at this idyllic location on South Loch Awe. What a super day to be on the road. We cycled north on the minor east road, single lane, quiet, until we hit roadworks. They had just tarred the road so we had to carrry, push our bikes on the verge for about half a mile ! Taxing to say the least. The road wound past Loch Awe for 21 miles, stunning scenery. We met up with Jillian in Cilla, campervan at Kilchoan Castle where we enjoyed our prepared sandwiches in the sunshine.  On now to the busy A85 to Tyndrum, once again we split into groups of 4 to help the traffic flow, worked well. As it was the weekend there were many whizzing motorbikes which unsettled some Belles. All good experience girls ! Quick coffee stop at the Green Welly then south on the A82, just 5 miles to Crianlarich. Traffic was heavy but there were no real issues. Crianlarich Hostel is perfect and once again our every need is catered for. Delicious dinner in the Crianlarich Hotel,  a hotel with a mixture of old and new charm. Another very enjoyable day for the Belles, all coping very well with the daily cycling. Great fun and chat. Will write more tomorrow. Bye.

Day 1 Brodick/Cloanaig/Ford. Distance 54.37 miles. 2880 ft

Well I have had a disaster....I wrote a comprehensive blog last night about our first day of the trip then when trying to send it deleted it by accident. Furious !!  I can’t bring myself to write another one so will précis our day. It was a successful day, cloudy, showery, sunshine. We stopped for second breakfast at Tarbert then lunch at Ardrisaig where ‘small Kelpies‘ we’re on display. Lovely detour by the Crinan Canal then picked up the quiet road to Ford. By now the day had improved and brilliant sunshine greeted our arrival at Torran Bay Hostel, Loch Awe. Beautiful place with excellent facilities. We self catered, Linda making tomato pasta followed by my Pavlova. Fantastic night of food, drink, chat, stories. Oh at lunch time Sue gave a talk about the history of Argyll and at dinner Sarah talked about the Loch Awe area illustrated by Annie. Brilliant, thank you ladies. Fantastic first day.