rnli coastal cycle ride

Day 36  Mon 4 April:   My preferred routine start to the day – porridge followed by scrambled eggs, sometimes with a little bacon or Stornoway black pudding. Same today but with the Mallaig Moorings’ added twist – whiskey. Never before have I been tempted at this time of the day but a wee dram in the porridge on a grey, damp morning? Aye, go on then. It worked well! Thanks Heather, for the comfy bed, a good start to the day and your generous donation to the cause. The running total raised for the RNLI is growing steadily but as the cycle miles roll by, just a bit behind the £1 per mile target.

Another smooth ferry crossing. This time to the Isle of Skye. Speed bonny boat. With the Skye Boat Song stuck in my head all morning, my mind wanders back once more to Park Street Primary School, Llanelli. Who remembers the BBC sing-along broadcasts, where a huge wireless was brought into the classroom? “Good morning children. Today we shall sing The Skye Boat Song. Please open your booklet and turn to page …”  Yes kids, we already had wireless in Llanelli, even before my time in the ’50s &’60s.

Someone has clearly been spending lots of money on lovely new road surfaces on parts of Skye. It really helps. I can now look around and gawp at the snow capped mountains and Highland cattle without having to stare down to find a safe line through at a rough, torn, potholed road surface.

Strange though it may seem, the best route to the next destination,  Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI Station,  takes us over the new Skye Bridge twice. Well it did for me on Fondo. Neil & Kate liked it so much they took the van over it four times. The K of L Lifeboat Station is perfectly placed with their Atlantic 85 Inshore Rescue boat, midway between Mallaig and Portree. It’s role further justified with the building of the Skye Bridge and the sad connotations that come with the fragility of some, seeking a quick route to the afterlife. Many thanks today to Sandy (LOM) for making time to greet me and sign the now well-worn chart and presenting me with the Kyle Pennant, now hanging proudly in the van.  Our first! It was also good to meet Murdo (crew/helmsman) at their very well appointed ‘new’ boathouse.