Day 3 - Lairg to Inverness

This morning we were reminded of his wonderful our location was. Dunroamin campsite is staffed by some of the friendliest people we have met. We packed up camp and enjoyed a warm breakfast in their lovely little restaurant. Great experience - the food was great (best black pudding ever according to Chris ) it was warm (very important ), and they even had various puzzles on the tables to amuse yourself whilst waiting (think Rubik  snake, wooden puzzle boxes etc). Cannot praise them enough. After a hearty breakfast we managed to get away by about 10 or so and set off south for Bonar bridge where we were assured there would be a corner shop with meths.
The wind this morning was a howling southerly again - right in our faces. This hampered our progress somewhat,but it was mostly downhill for the first leg to bonar bridge so we were feeling quite good despite the weather. Sure enough there was a spa for food and cash, and a little corner shop that was quite literally amazing. You could buy ANYTHING there. Stacked floor to ceiling with barely a space to spare was everything you could ever need for house or garden, and yes, meths.
Shopping needs satisfied - particularly nibbles for mid ride, we headed off in search of alness to the south. Between bonar and alness something awful happened, ok 3 awful things happened. First the land scape turned back to the open boggy heathland of the hills again, affording us no protection from the 30 mph head winds once again reducing us to peddling down hills at an excruciating rate. Second the road climbed to over 800 feet in a relentless steep ascent. Third it started to rain half way up. Together these things created more swearing than ever before. I cannot stress enough how hard it was, and with the "weather" as the locals call it, it looked shit as well! We were not going to make it anywhere for our chip lunch, so gave in only 50 feet from the top(unbeknownst to us) and ate the supplies bought at the spa earlier. It took hours to get down to the coast, but once we did the climbing eased somewhat, and the terrain became more rolling, much nicer.
This continued for quite a few miles with few "deal breaker" climbs (there was one 12% that we said fuck it to and walked) we made dingwall for about dinner time so decided to search for the chip supper we had been craving for two days. A little old scottish lady gave us directions to the chippy - finally! We were going to get them. Closed. Open everyday except MONDAYS,  for pities sake! Not to worry though, a tescos  was around the corner and not only had the chip suppers, but also some more warm socks for me!
BIG tescos meal later we set off once more, deciding to skip Kessock bridge on account of reported road works and instead headed to Muir Of Ord and then Beauly. More rolling scenery, with some hard ish climbs but not too steep saw us head east towards inverness. We rolled into bunchcrew campsite about 7.15 feeling much better than earlier on in the day. The combination of good food, nicer terrain, and most importantly the weather broke, the wind died right back and the sun shone from dingwall onwards. Amazing what a difference NOT having a strong wind against you makes.
Nobody at the campsite to book in but instructions on the office door to write our names on a board and pay in the morning. We rolled down to the waters edge to the pitches and oh my god WHAT a view. With the sun out what a dramatic location. I at least began to smile again, this is a wonderful place and life is alright again. At least thats what I thought until I saw the climb profile for tomorrow. A long climb from sea level to 1200 feet. Shit. Thats a story for another day, right now im good. Also, best hot shower yet, and free too!

Worth mentioning that for two days the lucky cat has been heard bringing up the rear, but we have been too exhausted to even muster the energy to moan. Also - Chris has not been grumpy! Wonders never cease.

At least the forecast (if you can believe it) looks better over the next few days.

Miles cycled:56.9
Hills: one fuck off big one, and some others.
Biker nods reciprocated: 6 (motorcycles)
Chains fallen off: Rachel - 2, Chris - 2.