Day 0

Our goodbyes were said and we embarked on the Gosport to portsmouth ferry. 8.30am and all of a sudden planning met reality with a harsh thud (or was it an irritating jingle?). Our first train journey with bikes, and my first actual train journey since being a teenager, went surprisingly well. Southern trains had a 5 coach train laid on to london waterloo, and both the middle coaches had an integrated 3 bike rack at the entrance to the seating area. No trouble at all to load the bikes onto (minus a couple of panniers). We then sat where we could keep a glancing eye on them.

Trains are not what they used to be! Ours seemed gleaming, clean, fast and very very smooth and quiet.
Once we reached london we had to cycle to kings cross, the first proper usage of my bought for purpose etrex 20 (after using the toilets anyway - THIRTY PENCE!). The etrex was great - I only wish the same could be said for the london roads/traffic. Hectic and poorly planned pretty much describes it, the many buses and taxis can be a little scary at times. Combine this with the irritating jingle from the "lucky cat" Rachel  has decided to attach to her bar bag, and homicidal was mentioned a few times, it might as well be a cow bell! but we made it all the same.

The train to inverness was PACKED.  Without reservations it would have been hell. So glad are we that we did! The bikes on this one went into front wheel hanging racks in the guard carriage, again no problems. We had to remove the panniers but were allowed to store them on the ground with the bikes. This train journey was LONG, it seemed to never end. Progress was fast out of london, but got slower the further north we went. The scenery was fantastic, although the snow capped mountains were a bit worrying as we plan to be up Ben Nevis in a few days time.

Rachel nearly killed me twice, once whilst passing wind (the toxin spread to others too) and also every time she produced an "essential travel item" - i nearly died of laughter over this a few times. Needless to say we have differing ideas of "essential" and "travel".

Once we finally reached inverness, we alighted and reloaded the bikes before heading of for a quick very pleasant (although chilly) ride along the river to our premier inn. Nothing to fault there its cosy, comfy and best of all bikes in rooms was not discouraged.

Stay tuned for the real start tomorrow, and wish us luck! (We will need it, as the lucky cow bell, I mean cat, is unlikely to make it past the first 10 miles.)