TGO Challenge 2016 - Day 0 - Manchester to Strathcarron

Date: Thursday 12 May

We started with a taxi at 5.30. It was a beautiful sunrise in Timperley with our local swifts swooping like large bats in front of the house.

David Syme and his friend Mike were the first Challengers we saw - at Edinburgh Haymarket station.

The time from Perth to Inverness was passed with two Dutch ladies on a train trip. One of them sprayed us with fizzy water. Sue took revenge by accusing her of being ******.

A good smattering of Challengers was to be found on the Kyle of Lochalsh train, onto which we dashed just as it was leaving Inverness, notably our good friend Humphrey, and others too numerous to sensibly identify here. A tub of CCS (chocolate caramel shortbread) was consumed with vigour.

Strathcarron was reached at soon after 3.30. We have a room in the hotel and we were soon ensconced outside with a pot of tea. Others are camping. 38 Challengers are due to leave from here, including Nick, the youngest in the event, and a couple who last did it around 25 years ago.

Beer o'clock soon came round and we've enjoyed a most sociable evening in lovely warm weather.

But will the fine weather last?

Slideshow for the Day
Click on the first image, then click 'slideshow'.

Next Day - Day 1