What can I say, we are 2/3rds of the way there!! It’s been a really relaxed and stunning day!

The Park Hotel in Kilmarnock did not disappoint , dinner was the best yet and I fell into a food coma last night and was in bed early! Breakfast was from 7am and cooked to order and although delicious, we were a bit late on leaving. It was about 8.10am when we set off and headed for the coast.
The landscape was undulating , but I must confess I am not afraid of the hills any more! I have done so many I am now getting more efficient at getting up them. Irvine was the first Town we went through and was pretty straightforward. We then headed for the coast to Ardrossan and then cycled along by the sea for a good spell. We had a rolling stop here for water and even if we don’t need to fill up it encourages us to drink in this warm weather. When we left Kilmarnock this morning it was 18 degrees and we knew it would be a scorcher. So far I am pretty amazed by the weather! Who knew when we booked this we would have sunshine all the way!! Training was done in all the worst conditions and the ride in all the best!

The breeze was as as usual in our faces but was very welcomed as we enjoyed the coolness of the sea breeze.

We powered on through West Kilbride, Fairlie and we’re having a water stop and catch up with everyone in the group in Largs. Nardinis ice cream parlour was the stop and we were there about an hour to wait for the whole group to regroup and then we would head to Gourock for the ferry to Dunoon.

We left in convoy for the ferry. I don’t really like cycling in a group on busy roads. I would rather stay single file and leave room for cars to fit between cyclists for overtaking, not always possible though!
We regrouped at the ferry and had to wait a while for the last of us to catch up and then we boarded the ferry to Dunoon! What a day for a crossing! It was like a millpond and we could have been somewhere more exotic that the Costa del Escosse!

Being in Dunoon was really lovely, I have not been back here for a long time! It was a pretty flat cycle out of town to the Benmore botanic gardens and the Redwood cafe for lunch! The temperature has gone up a notch and we had registered 37.5degrees on the ferry!
Lunch was toastie and cake, and I swear I have not yet been hungry on this trip!

Now on familiar roads, it was a real treat! A very beautiful part of the world and not hilly and the last 34 miles just whizzed by this afternoon! Most people I know will be familiar with the route to Inveraray and it was a joy on the bike back today!

Tonight’s residence is the Inveraray Inn, I have seen it on many occasions but never stayed but it’s very comfortable! Had my first pint of Tenants on arrival!
The body is holding out! Legs are working and did me proud today, the bum has not got any worse, I would like to say there was an improvement but I’m not convinced!!
Day 9 tomorrow and heading from Inveraray, Loch awe, over Connel Bridge and Balachulish and up to Fortwilliam, Spean Bridge and beyond! If you are passing give us a tout !!