LEJOG days 13 & 14

Day 13: Abington to Kinross: 65.71miles - 3267ft of climbing


It was frosty this morning again. And yet again the camper heater isn’t working so we have to run around or put on loads of layers until we’re warm!  
But this morning it was warming up nicely by the time we’d finished our porridge, croissants (mum spoiling me, though she loves them too!), toast and more toast. So much so, that we had to stop after about 15minutes to take layers off!  
We were heading up towards Livingstone to meet mum. Once again the weather was lovely and the traffic quite light so we made great progress. Well over 20miles in the first two hours despite a few hills. And the scenery was spectacular!

Some of the beautiful countryside today

We got to Livingston and mum hadn’t even left the campsite!  She had washing to do but more importantly had to finish off marking for work and the orchestrations for her orchestra. 
So we decided to carry on. Crossing Livingston was interesting - we didn’t once need to ride on a road. It was all cycle paths and (are you listening Bolton?) glass free! We didn’t half wiggle through the town though so it wasn’t quick. 
Mum suggested we meet in Newbridge which is right next to Edinburgh Airport. Dad even saw a couple of the aeroplanes he flies taking off. I still don’t think he’d rather be back at work though, he’s certainly enjoying himself!  

Another milestone big city!

One of Dad's planes - he flies this one into Edinburgh and Glasgow

By the time we found mum (in the car park of a BP garage, as dad says “it is ALL about the glamour!”), we’d cycled just over 41 miles. Before lunch!  I was definitely ready to eat. 
We decided to head for Kinross for the night. Today was originally meant to be a short day but by reaching Kinross, we’d be a full day ahead of the plan so we decided to go for it!  24 miles to do after lunch didn’t seem too bad. 

Me on the forth bridge - bit scared!

I'm smiling, but not inside! I don't like heights and it wobbles when the lorries go past!

We crossed the Forth Road Bridge. Amazing views but I was petrified - I don’t like heights!  
We then had a few hills to climb including the Heights of Craigencrow (or Mordor, as dad called it😁🙄). A few miles up but not too bad (compared to Devon!) and great fun coming down. And then a really quick couple of miles through Kinross to the Loch Leven shore where mum had parked. It’s wild camping tonight so I hope it’s quiet. It is certainly beautiful.

Loch leven as the sun was going down

Beautiful Loch Leven

We saw LOADS of very tiny lambs today. Sooo cute!  And also a couple of Shetland ponies but they didn’t want to eat from me today. The infamous Scottish midgies are out now - mum thought they came later in the season. there were loads round the camper van tonight. I wonder how many I've swallowed whilst cycling? .....eurgh.....!!!

Midgies on the van!

Midgies on the banner

Day 14: Kinross to Blair Atholl - 53.79miles & 2585ft of climbing

We woke to overcast skies this morning by Loch Leven. Beautiful, especially as the midgies hadn’t woken up yet!  It wasn’t as cold as it had been but think we may have lost the glorious sunshine now. 

Typical scenery today

My legs felt absolutely fine this morning after two long days. Right up to the point I got on the bike!  Dad was the same so he said “let you legs dictate the speed”. So it was quite slow! 

We need more signs like this down south!

Lots of country lane with loads and loads of very cute new born lambs. We also saw some Highland cattle calves. They were a bit too far away to see and get in a photo but hoping  to see more in the next few days. 

Highland cattle - Didn't manage to get any pictures of the calves though

More horses to stroke and feed

lovely country lanes to ride on 

Given the tired legs it was annoying that most of the climbing happened this morning. It was a slow slog up a long climb. But we came down very, very fast!  We’d forgotten to charge my Garmin so I don’t know my speed but dad’s top speed was 52mph apparently!  We both had to wipe the tears out of our eyes and inside of our glasses and it was difficult to speak due to the wind. 

VERY fast down hill - mum was glad she wasn't there to watch!

It was a little more gentle into Perth which we crossed without any issues. Most of it was on the riverside cycle path which was lovely. 

We met mum for lunch in a lay-by on the little country road we were riding. She'd passed us and then found somewhere to park. 
The afternoon was a constant gentle climb, most of it spent next to the River Garry and we passed through some lovely little villages and towns. Like Luncarty, Banfoot and Dunkeld (which might be a city apparently, as it had a cathedral - though from what we saw, it was in ruins). 
At Dunkeld, the cycle path took us up the 3 or 4 mile drive of a lovely hotel on the river bank. We saw lots of fly fishermen and people in boats. It looked lovely. 

Hotel at Dunkeld

Fly-fishing

We then had a very short spell on the extremely busy A9 road through some road works. I don’t think we held up the traffic but it was a relief to be off the road!

Our very on bridge - all to ourselves

Then lots more country lanes (and lambs and some horses to feed too!), with a few gentle hills before we arrived in Pitlochry, which looked lovely when we cycled through. I however, was definitely starting to flag now so we stopped for a biscuit and chocolate break on some benches in the high street. We saw a couple of other heavily laden cyclists heading in the same direction as us so we gave them a wave. 

Our final stop this evening was  Blair Atholl. We haven’t seen anything of it but the campsite but given the other places we passed through, I’m sure it’s lovely.
We've seen lots of signs today warning us about red squirrels. We haven't seen any yet, but have seen lots of pheasants.

I'm having an early night tonight and hopefully my legs will feel less tired tomorrow.