Day 18 - Tobermory (35 kms) - " Off to the Isle of Mull" !

We checked that we hadn't come down with overnight diseases before catching up with friend and fellow adventurer Ruthy M and her Scottish partner Steve for breakfast. On a quiet Sunday morning in downtown Oban this was easier said than done but eventually we found an open Witherspoon's !

After time in Alaska and Australia and shared bike trips previously in Peru and the Indian Himalayas, it was great to hear about Ruth's latest journey i.e. with partner Steve as soon to be proud parents - you can't beat that one, well done guys !

After wishing Ruth and Steve well it was time for our first challenge of the day - how to get our bikes down 2 steep floors in our hotel without killing ourselves or some innocent bystander should the bikes run away !

With the mission accomplished with minimal casualties it was tme for a gigantic hot chocolate at Costas before our ferry across to the Isle of Mull (thankfully for Monika only a 45 minute trip) for our very own Enid Blyton cycling adventure.

With only 35 kms to cover and the first 15 being dead flat it was all "peachy" until we rounded a bend and found that we'd somehow entered a leg of the "Giro" with the road now a series of never ending undulations with some pretty serious short climbs !

As usual we had to do this all on single track road sometimes barely moving up a hill with cars waiting patiently at passing bays somehow expecting you to find an extra gear or three !

Finally after nearly 3 hours a long downhill run took us into the delightful sea side town of Tobermory resplendent with its multi coloured main street buildings.

We'd unfortunately though missed our turn off on the last steep section so had to painstakingly walk back up the hill (impossible to ride with panniers) to our b&b.

Our B&B owner greeted us royally and generally reinforced what a delight b&bing can be with hosts coming from all walks of life. Donna, tonights host, has done it rough over the last 10 years but that didn't stop her from having a warm smile and promising us a huge breakfast tomorrow !

After a short rest we walked back own our steep hill to have a lovely harbour side dinner at one of the local pubs. I reckon looking at the bill that if we keep doing this Monika might have to plan to work for another 20 odd years !

Today's significant events were 2 1) the sun did actually make an occasional appearance and 2) much to Monika's surprise we'd racked up over 1,000 kms so far on tour a pretty amazing effort on Monika's part given the incredibly trying weather conditions !

Tomorrow we head back to our possibly still standing accommodation in down town Oban !