Trip to Inverness Inshes from East Daviot

Part 1
To Inverness Inshes. Had chatted with several cyclists at the campsite and was given many suggestions about where to cycle with the temporary bike. Decided to explore bits of the west of Inverness. Am now sitting in a wooden shelter in a park, getting the shade on this sunny breezy day. Stopped en route at the Smithton Hotel and asked if they were open.
What are you wanting?
Just a coffee.
There’s still some in here.
Very good!, getting out debit card.
We wouldn’t charge for that.

I looked at the evening menu, was told it was all freshly cooked, and will return for veg soup and mushroom stroganoff. The lady said she had worked at the Daviot care home. Both of the couple were amazed at the quote for bike hire.

Part 2
My relative was in good form and pleased with his spacious flat, which has a view. He plays bowls a couple of times a week and meets up with the same group at cafes. I had not realised how many islands he had worked on. He was working in the days of steamers, before ferries, and remembers the hoisting aboard of both cars and cows such as the then new Luing breed. When I told him I had been to Colonsay he said he had worked there and the number of days you had to stay on for with steamers being less frequent than ferries. He used to walk round the island. There were no artists there, never mind twenty, in those days.

The meal was very tasty and I saw Shelton take a set from Alcaraz at the hotel. The weather suddenly turned very wet and a nice touch was that someone had covered my saddle to keep it dry. With over 1000 active calories in 26 miles including steep hills this was not a rest day.