DAY 6: 24th June 2010

Hm. Glad I wasn't driving first this morning. Not hung over, just a little woolly feeling. Up at 0600, tents all away and ready to go at 0700, set off and parked just outside the campsite for 1/2 hour while the Student's second car decided to throw a wobbly.

Eventually, ignition issues were identified and Terry produced a legendary box of tricks which seemed to work enough for us to get on our way. Next stop, quick toilet break then on to Dumbarton for breakfast.

Aside from the usual muppets, and the B719 (the only dual carriageway B-road I know of) having a surface as uneven as bits of Mars, we didn't really have any trouble getting to breakfast, and even getting round Glasgow and to the Erskine Bridge went smoothly. The rest of the day, along Loch Lomond and to Glencoe was basically sitting back and enjoying the scenery, when we could see it. The weather had closed in a bit since we'd left Moffat, and was getting worse the further we ventured into the Highlands. And of course whenever we stopped and car 8 turned their engine off, it had to be tow started. Terry's Multispark seems to have done really well.

So eventually, with Bug temporarily changing teams from Luna-tic to the Students and driving car 7, we got to FOrt William. The only problems were the odd set of roadworks and the weather, both of which cleared up eventually. THedn we hit more traffic.

This time though it was due to a rather nasty accident on the A82, a couple of miles south of Fort Augustus. We were sat for about half an hour waiting for the road to re-open after a coming-together between a small truck and a Freelander, which appeared to have come off worst. The fire crews had done their job though, and we were back on our way.

On the outskirts of Fort Augustus, we missed the chance of a coffee though: lone of the bungalows on the left hand side going North had left a sign out by their gate: LEJOG MINIS COFFEE. Unfortunately though Carol and Michelle didn't realise the sign was there until they were past it, but the rest of us made sure the people waving knew we'd seen it and it was appreciated. Investigations continue as to who they were, if only to say thank you.

And so, past Fort Augustus we carried on along the glen towards the camp site, with plenty to talk about. Running alongside Loch Ness, the sun was trying to come out and when it did, it gave the water an almost sea-like blue. Very nice.

We made the customary stop at Urquhart Castle on the loch, with the customary photo opportunities, the customary dash up the hillside for the men, and the customary swearing from the ladies. A brief stop to stretch legs (and an opportunity for Jo to try falling off a wall (BIG SMILEY)), then soon after we'd made it to Inverness, and into the campsite.

So here we are - set up at the last campsite on the run, 2 nights here, with John O'Groats tomorrow. But of course that's after food and a beer or two and some well earned kip. For now, whilst we're waiting for the former and getting started on the latter, we're all sat in Barry's summer house, reminiscing, chatting and generally having fun. Night night!