Harz Mountains

Back from a lovely week cycling around Germany’s Harz mountains where Sally’s father spent his formative years after the war running the riding stables in Bad Harzburg. The stables date back to 1413 but were requisitioned by the Royal Army Veterinary Corps immediately after the Second World War and run as a rest and recreation centre for British soldiers.

There were plenty of hills to push our bikes up and Komoot found us some fairly rough single track that we weren’t expecting but we survived. However, we both realised that electrification of our legs might be just around the corner. As a consequence, we have hired e-bikes for New Zealand’s Alps2Ocean next month!

Kayak to Gigha

A fantastic multi-day kayak trip in stunning weather. 

We left our boathouse before 6am and made good time south to Carsaig where we carried the boat 1km to Tayvallich and our first campsite. With the tide behind us we paddled down Loch Sween and rounded the Point of Knap to camp just north of Kilberry Head. 

The next day we steered direct to the Isle of Gigha and enjoyed drifting down the east coast to a rendezvous with John and Sue. That afternoon John showed us around the gardens he looks after before supper in the Boathouse Restaurant and a night in the extraordinary Achamore House B&B. Quite a grand end to a fine trip which finished with a haul out at Tayinloan where Sue met us and delivered us (and our kayak) back to Traighuaine.

Traighuaine’s ever changing wild flower meadow

Ho’okipa entering Craobh Haven

S/v Genie on our mooring

Chamomile

Pausing at the Dorus Mor

Carsaig

Tayvallich

Tayvallich

Achamore House with John and Sue

One of the RR’s

Towards Isla

Achamore House

The breakfast room