We set off on the Friday morning stopping at The Connage Cheese Pantry (http://www.connage.co.uk) to pick up some cheese for the Derbyshire oatcakes that Brian was bringing up for us. Whilst there we had this excellent cheese platter for our lunch.
We saw this book in their shop and instantly thought of Muz.
Stuffed after our lunch we headed on to Gairloch via The Black Isle Brewery (http://www.blackislebrewery.com) to pick up some refreshments for the weekend.
There quite a few Bongos at this bash
and a couple of non Bongos including this one containing a Mountain Goat
Friday evening was a blustery one with most people taking advantage of the communal area to shelter from the wind and enjoy a refreshment or two. Some were so affected by the weather that The Water of Life had to be administered.
Following breakfast on Saturday we set out to cycle from the campsite to the Rua Reidh lighthouse (http://www.ruareidh.co.uk) which was built in 1912 by David Stevenson. The cycle was slow progress with us battling a fierce head wind.
When we paused for lunch there was only us and a few inquisitive sheep
When we reached the Melvaig Inn (http://www.melvaig-inn.co.uk) Mrs G decided to stop for a coffee whilst I battled onto the light house alone.
After pausing for a refreshment at the Melvaig Inn on the way back and collecting Mrs G we headed back to the campsite but with a tail wind behind us most of the way which made for an easier cycle back.
Again on the Saturday night it was blustery and most people made use of the communal area where home bakes were on offer. This is where we found out that Mountain Goats are partial to flapjacks.
Sunday was an altogether different story as the winds dropped away completely and the sun made a welcome appearance.
Breakfast was Derbyshire oatcakes, crispy bacon and grated cheese. Superb and thanks to Brian for the oatcakes.
Whilst many stayed at the campsite and chilled out we headed off to Sheldaig to do the Fairy Loch walk.
The views up top were great.
The walk takes in the site where a USAAF Liberator plane carrying troops back from WW2 crashed into the hillside killing all 15 on onboard. The site is a dedicated war memorial and it is forbidden to move any of the wreckage.
Luckily on the way back our route didn't cross the rickety bridge
but headed up the nice solid path instead
The walk starts and ends by a field of highland cattle.
After chilling out at the Bongo with a cuppa and our books we headed off to the Badachro Inn (http://www.badachroinn.com) for an excellent tea. The view out over the sea loch from the inn's conservatory was as good as the food.
Sunday night was warm and dry and people were able to sit outside for a change. Having cooked a chilli and venison casserole from scratch the previous evenings Matt felt it necessary to offset his healthy diet with bacon and black pudding between two butteries. Even the addition of lettuce did nothing to reduce the cholesterol level of such a delicacy.
Monday morning was dry but misty and with no wind made for a couple of good photo opportunities on the way home.
We just had to stop on the way home to get a photo of this youngster with his mum.
When we finally arrived home we were glad of Matt's superb left over venison casserole for our tea.
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