I haven’t written much recently about the next Tour but it
starts in just over two weeks so I guess I’d better let you all know how things
are going!
The itinerary has been pretty much finalised for some time,
although I need to do a check of all the ferries: I found out yesterday that the Islay sailings
will only go to Port Askaig while we’re in the area, as major engineering works
are underway at Port Ellen. That’s
actually quite good as it cuts down a bit of repetitive mileage, but I need to
check the other islands to avoid any last-minute banana skins.
We have accommodation arranged for thirteen nights, courtesy
of benevolent local residents, and in one instance, good friends who are on
holiday in self-catering accommodation when we’ll be there. We are still looking for lodgings for another
fourteen nights, mainly for the Outer Hebrides, Mallaig, Coll, Tiree and
Colonsay, so if there’s anyone out there… please get in touch! Otherwise we’ll sort things out ‘on the hoof’
– staying at Youth Hostels or B&Bs.
I had to book the train journeys this week, and just like
last year, it’s an eye-opener. On the return journey from Oban to Preston at
the end of the tour, all the train-ticket websites quote £83.50. There is one
change at Glasgow which also involves changing stations, from Queen Street to
Central. Booked separately, the leg from
Oban to Glasgow is £21.10, whilst from Glasgow to Preston it’s £12.50. I make that £33.60, i.e. £49.90 cheaper than
the identical route booked in one ‘go’.
Can anyone explain how that can be, please?
Richard and I have been comparing notes and checking check
lists: the trick is to take everything you need without carrying too much
weight. Simple! It’s such a shame you
can’t take all the maps you need, but I’ll have to rely on a page cut out of my
road atlas, together with the GPS. I’ve
a book which contains details of all the islands, together with contact details
for hundreds of B&Bs etc, but it weighs a ton. I may see if it’s available as
an e-book and borrow Val’s Kindle to save weight, if she’ll let me.
Oh, and I don’t have a decent camera yet! I ruined one
whilst walking all 214 Wainwrights in 2009, and another last year on my
4,500-mile cycle round the GB coast. So I resolved to buy another, but haven’t
found a decent one with an optical viewfinder yet. Canon have just brought one
out but it uses AA non-rechargeable batteries, which is useless. I may have to
try and get used to one without the viewfinder, but I don’t relish the idea…
Blogging en route will not be as easy as last year, as I won’t
be carrying the lap-top, but I should be able to get by with the iPhone and by
using hosts’ computers if they’ll let me.
I think you can expect quite a few updates as we go along.
As for fund-raising, I’m not banging the drum as much as
last time but it would be nice if my readers, followers and supporters could
give something. Online donations via www.justgiving.com/bill-honeywell
(or Text donations - see the top of this page) will go to Cancer Research UK; if you give me
a donation personally, by cheque or cash, I’ll send that to the absolutely
excellent Rosemere Cancer Foundation
unless you specify otherwise. We’re not
talking aggressive tax-avoidance here, just whatever you are comfortable with,
so I don’t think you’ll get into trouble with Mr Osborne! (But if you are a
multi-millionaire it’s not illegal yet, so please hurry before he closes the
loophole!)
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