Category: Bonny Journey

Day 15 – Helmsdale

Due to a booking falling apart in Lybster, I’ve arrived in Helmsdale one day early which has meant a day of rest.

Helmsdale

Helmsdale has a fairly interesting story. It was set up by Thomas Telford and his industrialist compatriots as a fishing fleet base.

More or less the whole village was planned and build, on spec according to the need of the herring industry in the 19th century.

Despite that, it’s a fairly pretty place.

Food

I stop at two places for food La Mirage and Bannockburn Inn. Because of it’s busyness, I assumed the food would be good in Mckkays.

It was bland and boring with big portions.

Bannockburn, I had steak with peppercorn sauce which you had to pay £1.75 for. Then I had a coconut bomb, which was also very nice and an Irish coffee which kept me awake the whole night.

Here’s some photo’s

Helmsdale harbour.

Helmsdale Harbour
Helmsdale Harbour

Continue reading “Day 15 – Helmsdale”

Day 14 – John O’Groats to Helmsdale

Started the morning in Bowen Wigwam.

Bowen Wigwam, Scotland
Bowen Wigwam

This was a 07:30 start.

Had to go back for my shades, made it about 08:30.

Reached John O’Groats by 10:00.

John O'Groats sign
John O’Groats sign

Googlemaps took me down some non-existent roads, which is something you have to look out for.

I made it, got a nice cup of coffee and sat by the front.

Made this quick video about the journey ahead. Continue reading “Day 14 – John O’Groats to Helmsdale”

Inverness and over the border

Managed to get to my hotel booking.

Here’s a couple of pictures I took along the way.

Adam SmithAdam Smith

The inventor of modern economics has a statue here on the Golden Mile.

He said – “Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience.” That make any sense? No? Well never mind, a lot of what he said did.

Stopped in Deacon Brodies Tavern, gave some money to a tramp then moved on down to the station which took me to Inverness.

City Hostel

Didn’t fancy a dorm on my first night. Also didn’t want to pay over the odds.

Staff are friendly. Did a review of it on Google, it’s central. Continue reading “Inverness and over the border”

Day 11 – Tarleton to St. Mary’s Marina, Rufford

Only a very short journey today.

Due to time constraints on travel over the Ribble, I’ve decided not to wait 10 days for the next crossing, and make my way to Scotland tomorrow.

From there I will be Bonnyless.

St. Mary’s Marina, Rufford

I’m parked at St. Mary’s Marina with Mark Ball who seems like an affable fellow.

It’s got a few mod-cons like electric, which means I can watch more telly and use the microwave.

The trip is only a very simple one. From Tarleton, you have to negotiate the 3 swing bridges, follow the river. That’s about it.

The marina is directly before the lock, opposite to another, competing marina.

I did get a look in both. I know my locking partner on the way up planned to leave her boat here. Also, it was the first one I visited. I know the other is slightly more upmarket, if that’s what you’re after.

Trip to Scotland

Today has been busy booking accommodation for my first few days in Scotland.

The weather up there is over 15 for the duration of my stay, even rising to around 20.

I’m quite looking forward to it, because I’ve got no idea what to expect.

The road to Inverness

I know the first few days will be fairly easy.

From now on, I’m going to be using Strava to track my progress and making timelapse video.

From now on, my maps will look like this.

It’s roughly a 500 mile journey back down to the boat.

Day 10 – Tarleton lock

Moored this morning at the lock visitor mooring, expecting to take the next high-tide to Savick Brook.

After doing some shopping in the morning, I got back to my boat, had my lunch and prepared for the journey ahead.

Someone from the pinkpigalternative facebook page had mentioned needing to book in with the lock keeper, ‘Harry’.

I sought out this lock-keeper and after not finding him, or anyone at Mayor’s boatyard, I went back finished my cup of tea, grabbed my bike and went back again.

This time I found someone, he said Harry was ill and he was the lock-keeper for now.

Ribble link

He explained getting out onto the River Douglas was fine, great if you want to go into Preston. Getting onto the Ribble Link and up onto the Lancaster canal was a different matter.

That required a booking.

A booking takes time. Continue reading “Day 10 – Tarleton lock”