Sandwood Bay Beach wild camp 25/08/18

After our fleeting visit along Sandwood Beach last year on our walk to Cape Wrath, we wanted to go back and spend more time taking in the fantastic views of the beach with the Atlantic Sea rolling in on it. The weather forecast was looking fine so we set off on our 200 mile drive, 4.5 mile walk to the beach and the 1.5 mile walk along the beach to our camping spot. The weather turned out to be great on both days but a bit cooler on the Saturday night, a couple of drams helped us to sleep along with the sound of the waves crashing on the beach.

The start of the track

Lesley and Sitka leading the way

Beautiful sunshine and stunning scenery

Not much navigation needed, follow the path

One of many freshwater lochans, we did use them on the way to Cape Wrath last year rather than carry gallons of water.

Not too far to go

First views of Sandwood Beach which is believed to one of the earliest inhabited  areas of what came to be known as Scotland,  Viking longships supposedly came ashore here in storms and tales of a Spanish Galleons treasure buried deep in the sand

Beautiful view

Looking out to the Cape Wrath headland

 Am Buachaille stack

Lesley happy to be back, maybe not carrying a pack on the sand again though

Our very own infinity pool, Sandwood Loch overflowing onto Sandwood Beach

The tent pitched, time to get the tea on, water syphoned from the Loch

Sunset on Am Balg from Sandwood Beach

The white horses racing in

Photo before whisky time

More white horses

The Cape Wrath Lighthouse shining in the distance

Sitka didn't partake of a dram

Our tent lit up for bedtime

Sunday morning and time to pack up for the return journey

Sandwood Loch

Lesley and Sitka making their way through the dunes

Sitka rounding up the slacker

The remains of Sandwood Bay Cottage, it was supposedly haunted by anything from shipwrecked sailors to wild horse ghosts

Sitka didn't fancy a swim so I was commandeered to carry him over the burn

Cracking view on the way back towards Kinlockbervie

Tay Valley Norton Owners Club Applecross 20/07/18

Another Friday booked off work for the TVNOC gathering in Applecross meant a wet hurl up the A9 to Dalwhinnie on the Big Yam and the Street Triple, never the best part of the journey, it did clear up the further West we went. The first stop was at Old Pines restaurant near Spean Bridge, a peaceful place to take tea and pieces. The only other stops were for fuel then up over a very misty Bealach, thankfully the mountain gods were on our side and it cleared for the hairpins and no traffic made it a bit easier. The tent was put up as soon as we arrived and a quick change into civvies then other folks started to arrive, a bit of blethering and then a walk along the coast to the Walled Garden for our tea.
A beautiful setting, everyone getting seated near each other and great food as always made for a braw night. The night was rounded off with a visit to the Applecross Inn for a load of beer.
On Saturday we went for a walk along the coast to Camusterrach to clear the head and to avoid the pub for as long as possible. We had our tea at the Inn on the Saturday night, plenty blethering and more beer till shutting time again.
Sunday morning came around too soon as always after a night in the pub and sleeping in a tent, it was pretty wet out so the bikes were packed up pretty quickly, a very misty return over the Bealach to be met with a multi European traffic jam at the hairpin bends, nothing moving and car drivers just staring at each other afraid to move, off the bike and a bit of traffic management allowing us to pass through and let the eejits take care of themselves. Thankfully no dramas on the way home, the sun even coming out at Dalwhinnie.
Another great weekend on the bikes, can't wait till the next run.
Both bike are to be Mot'd this weekend so fingers crossed for two passes and some more sunshine.

Ready for the off in the rain

Gino and Fiona's Guzzi's

Alec's new V7 Guzzi

The Big Yam and the Street Triple 

Liz's V7 Guzzi

Bob and Ginneta's Commando from the Northumbria branch

Applecross Bay

Ian Loram's 1929 Norton Model 18 and his mate on his 1935 Norton Model 18 who drove it all the way from Devon to John O Groats then to Applecross

The Walled Garden at teatime

Local tame deer

Clouds forming for the nights rain

Bert happy in the pub

Ian Loram's backup bike Norton ES2, beautiful bike

Old shed

Braw old house in Applecross Bay

Alec getting a head start

Saturday night at the Inn