Inverurie to Elgin - 85k - Sat 7 July

We woke to the news that Scotland would be covered with rain for several days, and enjoy strong winds from the west. It was joyous news because we were cycling west for the next two days, and we would delight in facing strong westerly winds! I am kidding of course.

Afetr a beautiful breakfast, we sadly said our goodbye's to Joe and Desna, and made our way out of the extensive and beautiful grounds of the castle, back into Inverurie, where we had decided to take the A96 all the way to Elgin that night. We chose this because we wanted to get ourselves as close to Croy as possible, where we were aiming to be the following day with Craig and Shona Snitch.

So we headed straight up the highway - into the terrible wind from the west, nor'west. We faced it all day long. At least the rain held off, but the winds were very strong. Cyclists know that they would probably prefer hills than winds. We were forced to stay in low gears for most of the day, and just grind it out. It is quite frustrating really, and I suppose were quite frustrated by this today. We were feeling a bit 'sorry for ourselves'. This was into the fourth week where we have had rain virtually everyday, and if not rain then wind to contend with.

Despite this, we tried to enjoy the surrounding scenery as it passed slowly by. At times were gritted out teeth as we persevered with very long gradual climbs into the wind, only then to have to ride hard down the long descents but pushed back into the face by the winds as well. I suspect also that physically we were still weary from the very strong effort of the previous day, becasue we didn't even make 20k before we had to say 'blow this'and have a sit at the side of the road for a mental break from the wind.

On the long approach to Huntly we passed over some long and serious climbs. My map indicated that we were passing by the peaks of Mither Top at nearly 1700ft, and also Ben Rachie at about 1600ft, both higher in altitude than Cairn O'Mearns. The highway had to climb over the long ridges that ran off these heights, making it jolly hard, slow work into the battering wind. Then there was the Hill of Foudland at 1700ft and also Wichach at 1600ft. It was great relief to finally get over these, and have the impression that we were gradually descending again - our speeds picked up to 12-18kph. The fianl 10k into Huntly were the fastest of the trip.

We pressed on to Huntly, the first of three main towns along the road. We passed by Huntly, boasting its castle because we basically couldn't be bothered - we just wanted to 'get there'to where we were going. We had decided on the town of Keith at the 55k mark for a lunch break, but it took to about 2pm to get there, at times down to 6-8kph even on the flat ground. Again Julie impressed me because every time I looked around to check on her, she was tucked in tightly behind me. I was pushing as hard as I could under the conditions, and I couldn't shake her even if I really wanted to. She really has developed into a good, tough cyclist.

Just before Keith we crossed into the shire of Moray, famous for its Malt Whiskey. We stopped long enough to take the photo beside the signpost, and get going again. Keith is a lovely town with a history all of its own, nestled for centuries beside the River Isla. We rode into the town, walked the main street desperate to find a spot out of the wind to eat our banana and apple sandwiches, and 'boil the billy'. Well, we didn't find one. The wind was everywhere. We walked out the other end of the main street back on the main road out of town, and came across another one of those lovely memorial gardens, in remembrance of those who gave their lioves in the two Great Wars. We huddled on a seat beside the memorial. We had just finished lunch when the first of the rain started, which didn't cease for the remainder of the day.

We quickly packed up, got on the bikes and rolled out of town, down over the bridge that crosses the River Isla, and out of town in the direction of Elgin, some 28k away with the town of Fochabers in between. A mile or so out of town the heavens opened, and it took no time for us to be drenched, our shoes filled with water, our helmets dripping with water and water spraying off the road as we did our best into the horrible wind. If anything was our ''Cyclis Horribillis", this was it. We were wet, cold and if I can say, bordering on the miserable as we fixed on our determination to get to Elgin as quick as we could. I had resolved of course that there would be no camping tonight, which was the original plan.

We came through Fochabar, passing firstly the large caravan park on the edge of town. As tempting as it was to get out of this misery the quick way by pulling in, I checked with Julie that she was okay for another hour on the road, and we agreed to just 'do it'. So we stuck to the task. I don't have to describe what it feels like to have frozen feet and toes. Everyone has from time to time. Battling the wind was worse than the rain, but the frozen feet was difficult to bear given that they have to keep propelling the bike.

It was about 5pm when we rolled into Elgin with its beautiful old Cathedral remains, one of Scotland's if not Englands finest in its day, ransacked by one of the Stewarts and used as a gargage tip for many years. It still maintains the Biblical Gardens that surround the Cathedral, but as we came into town, all we were concerned about was a room and a hot shower, and fast. The TIC was full of good news - they said accommodation of the low price type was gone because of the Highland Games being held in the next village.

However, we saw a Guest House on the way into town. We rang - they had a room - and it turns out to be probably the best room we have had on our journey that we have paid for, and one of the cheapest. It was delightful. It was warm. The shower was untimed! This was our prayer coming into town, and we marvel at the way that the Lord continues to provide for us at the right time and in the right ways. He even gives us strength for the wind!

We had a great stay at Elgin, and were not hurried to leave the next morning, which is a great feeling when you finally get to go to bed. It was the first day of the Tour de France, which was staged in Kent in bright sunlight and blue sky. We were a little envious. We passed 2500k for the trip so far, and looking at John O'Groats in just a matter of days.