Thursday, 4 August 2016

Day 0 - Inverness and All's Well

Met up with Kim, Gwen and Neil on the 11.05 ferry, all excited and raring to go. Arrived in Inverness about 4.30pm, straight into rush hour traffic, perfect timing.  Found the Bazpackers Hostel near the castle without any problems but parking is another story, eventually managed to park about half mile from the hostel. Steam was coming out Murray's ears by this time !!!  Carol and Tom had already arrived and luckily they had a closer parking spot. Anyway lugged our bags plus bikes to Hostel and we are all settled in now., a few sweary words in the process. At 7.30pm we all gathered at Urquharts restaurant  for a very filling meal - ask Gwen - she packed enough away to last her the whole 9 days !!!  We discussed the route -especially getting out of Inverness - very busy - apparently there is a music festival and farmer's market along our route - lovely !!!  Murray gave us a weather report and answered some very searching questions from Linda -' what do you suggest we wear tomorrow'. I think he thought he had been given an easy job !!! Tom gave us a brief report of places of interest starting with the history of Inverness Castle and Flora MacDonald.  Back at hostel now after a lovely walk over the River Ness, beautiful dusky skyline. Hostel is fine, surprising to find it not full in the month of August.  We are all excited, anxious, nervous about tomorrow and just want to get on the road and clear of Inverness. Should be fun. 











Supportive Messages from Mark Beaumont and Mel Nicholls

Lovely to receive messages of support from adventurer Mark Beaumont and Rio bound Paralympian Mel Nicholls. Thanks for taking the time out from your busy schedules.


For all the Belles, have an incredible adventure on the NC500. I wish I could be with you but this time will be very much with you in spirit! It really does sound just wonderful, I can't wait to hear all your stories to help keep me focussed as I'm on my final weeks of Rio prep.
Push hard, laugh lots and Dream Big
Love 'Belle' Mel X


Superb - have a wonderful time