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We had a relaxing start to the day because the first ferry from Lochranza doesn't leave until 09:30 on a Sunday. We followed a couple going up the road from Claonaig to Tarbert and ended up sitting next to them at the café for lunch. All the cafés were busy, the sun was out and people were making the most of it.

After shopping at the coop we took the coast road B8024, the wind started to die down which would have been against us at this point. It became overcast but stayed dry until second lunch at Clackbreck. The rain started as we were sitting on the beach, the temperature dropped suddenly so we packed up and took in the three mile climb to 193m in waterproofs. From the summit it was all down hill to Aygyle Backpackers at Inverneill. It's a very well equipped bunkhouse, great kitchen, good to get out of the rain. Chilli for dinner and an electric organ to play for entertainment, lovely place.

42.7 miles today.

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It was a lovely sunny morning as we set off north to Ardrishaig. Here we joined the Crinan Canal, a Thomas Telford design. We enjoyed wide open views across to hills, as we approached the sea we took a right to Kilmartin. We stopped for a while to look at neolithic remains then we had first lunch at a café in Kilmartin which rapidly filled up with elderly folk from a coach.

We got on the road asap and apart from a cold northerly breeze it was perfect. After Ford we headed up the west side of Loch Awe, the hills started to kick in, short and very steep with a view at the top. A moment to enjoy the scenery then back down to water level and repeat.

We had second lunch at Dalavich, a lovely spot, great café. The short sharp hills continued as far as Kilchrenan really sapping our energy levels. The B road to Taynuilt was much faster and the sun persisted. We then took the minor road up Glen Lonan, possibly the best part of a superb days cycling. At the end of the day there was a fast and technical descent to Oban, arrived at 18:00 and headed straight to Tesco. Had a plain meal of fishcake and boiled veg followed by a pint at The Oban Inn.

 

57 miles today.