Section Notes – October Jampot 08
This year our September outing was to Fort William, specifically at the Corran Bunkhouse at Corran Ferry. We had enough of a turnout to fill the large Bunkhouse which sleeps 20. We have never sampled bunkhouse accommodation before and we were all very pleasantly surprised to find clean & smart en-suite rooms, fully equipped kitchen and a drying room all for bargain basement prices. Now put this in one of the most scenic locations in the Highlands and all you need is some sunshine and you are all set for a really great weekend.
Oh well I expect that this was too much to ask for wasn’t it.
Heading down to Corran Ferry
I was not able to participate on my G11 as I have been sidelined with an accident damaged left hand all summer (not that I have missed any great biking weather). So Saturday saw Ivor leading seven others out to the ferry and across the loch to do a damp but marvellously scenic run round the side of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil to Corpach, while we had to make do with following on four wheels.
Just outside Corpach Bill Curry and his pillion Bill Keogh suffered a puncture at about fifty. Fortunately, he was able to bring the bike to a halt without mishap. So an impromptu stop followed whilst everyone rallied around to help and soon were on our way again.
A visit to a gemstone exhibition and a walk round “Neptune’s Staircase” i.e. the flight of locks on the Caledonian Canal was followed by a run to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. Despite the mist and occasional rain the weather improved as the day progressed and we had a great run with splendid vistas of mountains and water.
In the evening we were able to relax in the communal area where we could talk and spend time in good company after a really good day.
Dennis Jackson must be given the credit for finding and organising our accommodation and Ivor Ward for organising and leading our runs. The rest of the group were the ”usual suspects” of Eddie & Mavis Pennycook, Steve Pennycook and Family, Steve & Liz Glover, George & Evelyn Smart, Alf Burgess, Jan & Neil Jackson as well Helen and Myself.
The Sunday run was to in the Oban direction round Connel and Tyndrum which I did not follow. Instead I crossed the Ferry again and went to the most westerly point on the British Mainland at Ardnamurchan. This would be a terrific bike run and perhaps something for us to get round to another day.
