Slockavullin to Lochranza

Today was a much easier day, completing a distance of 34 miles with 1400 feet of ascent and 1600 active calories. This gave plenty of time for taking advantage of the annual Tarbert Seafood Festival with key figure T J Mac – singer, announcer and DJ. The Loch Fyne Pipe Band were a vital part of the procession.

A delicious kipper from local firm J & C Prentice represented remarkable value and the Arran oatcakes served with their tasty mackerel pate by The Silver Darlings made the dish another easy choice for me.

Apart from the many stalls selling food and drink, a variety of arts, crafts and activities were represented. The Kintyre Way is being developed and at one stall it was possible to learn about proposals for improving cycling possibilities in some sections.

The weather today was drier than yesterday; rain showers tended to be shorter and lighter. Some of the rain during the night had been heavy as judged from the loud noise as it landed on the tent. The wind gusts also caused noise as they passed through the nearby trees. Lots of wiping with a cloth was necessary to help dry both inner and outer sections of the tent before tonight’s attempt to catch up on some sleep. (Usually, when showers are less frequent, the tent can be hung up outside for a few minutes to dry).

Today there was time to add more detail to the log for yesterday.