June 2012
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Having ridden the length of the island of Yell on Sunday (twice: Ulsta to Gutcher, the Unst ferry departure, and back) all I had to do to finish the Mull2Muckle was the 10 miles or so through Unst to RAF Saxa Vord, or the Saxa Vord Resort as it’s now called, being filmed on the…
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The Mull2Muckle Scottish End-to-End, or Tom’s Fairly Long Ride, is nearing completion, with midsummer tomorrow and the last approach to the Muckle Flugga shore station on Unst first thing tomorrow morning. After the show today I’ll drive to Toft, get the ferry to Yell, drive the 18 miles across (or up) the island (seeing as…
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Southernmost! some of the Dundee Fair Traders with Dave Donaldson. Me at the top of the Redcastle Brae, looking down on Lunan Bay. What a fantastic evening’s riding that was. And Dave just as we emerged from the Dalmeny Estate towards South Queensferry. We just scraped across the bridge before it was closed for Torchification.
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That’s Bryce (piper extraordinaire) and Kenny, who joined me on the route between Girvan and Ayr, upping my pace considerably. Fiona (electric bike, no less) heads up Prestwick Fair Trade and met me on the prom between Prestwick and Troon, where I stayed at David and Val Gwynne’s B&B. Old Loans Inn was really, really…
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Some pictures and people from the mull2muckle trip! Not finished yet as I’ve still got Yell and Unst to go. That’s the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, Scotland’s southernmost point, and then the closed King’s Hall in Drummore, the nearest village, with its curious reversed ‘N’. Then New Luce – this little caravan site was where…
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Having problems with pictures so they’ll pop up when I get to a proper computer and on Twitter/FB. Stephen from Fairpley, who are handling the logistics for the Mull2Muckle for Scottish Fair Trade Forum, ran me down to the Mull of Galloway from Ayr, where I’d broadcast from. Set off in a smirry rain and…
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Just wrapping up things in Shetland before heading off south tomorrow. This is where I’m going and what’s happening if you want to catch up at any point. Remember to follow the blog posts and also, though I’m not doing the afternoon show from 11th-15th, I think I’m doing daily updates for Fred Macaulay on…
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Scooped a scallop shell off the beach last night, and thought: might as well take it with me! SIR WALTER RALEIGH in Daiphantus, 1604 ; written about 1603. THE PASSIONATE MAN’S PILGRIMAGE. GIVE me my scallop-shell of quiet, My staff of faith to walk upon,My scrip of joy, immortal diet, My bottle of salvation,My gown…
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A quick visit to Cee and Jays and then Tesco to buy waterproof map bags, water bottles, a spur-of-the-moment 2-in-1 bum bag/rucksack, toothpaste, travel clothes washing liquid, Sudocream, Johnson’s Baby talcum, Pampers wipes, Anadin (oh, for Askit Powders…)and doubtless there will be more to add before I head south from Shetland on Wednesday. I’ve all…
