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Day 2 – Sunday 11 May 2013

Arnisdale to Fort Augustus (Loch Ness)

42 miles/67km. 21 miles/34km off-road. 3200ft/970 metres climbing. Summits and passes: Gleann Dubh Lochain 790ft/240 metres; Cadha Mor 800ft/245 metres; Choire Pass 690ft/209 metres; Glengarry Forest 695ft/210 metres; Invergarry 450ft/137 metres

Started the day in Corran with our first offroad trail to tackle. Departed 9.30am. We travelled over rubble, steep tracks and river crossings. Much of it challenging on foot, impossible by bike. Took us over 3.5 hours to cover first 7 miles! Long c roads and heavy rain were the order for the rest of the day which made it very slow going. After passing through forest tracks we finished our days journey 6.30pm in Fort Augustus, on the shores of Loch Ness, but by the time we arrived it was well past Nessie’s bed time. A really tough day.

Day 1 – Saturday 11 May 2013

Skye Bridge to Arnisdale and Corran

46 miles/73km. All on-road. 3600ft/1100 metres climbing. Summits and passes: Carr Brae 590ft/180 metres; Bealach Ratagan 1300ft/399 metres; Uranan Viewpoint 690ft/208 metres.

After loading up and driving nearly 650 miles through pouring rain from Freshwater, Isle of Wight to Kyleakin, Isle of Skye on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th May, the team crossed the Skye Bridge and arrived at the start of their ride.

The skies cleared and at 1.20pm the riders set off back over the Skye Bridge in good weather, this time under their own steam. They made good progress in fine weather for the first 17 miles. Everything can change very quickly in the Highlands though and as they arrived at the first big climb over Bealach Ratagan (1300ft/399 metres) the team were met with a downpour and a sharp drop in temperature.

Freezing cold and wet for the rest of the day, they soldiered on (taking care to avoid some unusual hazards in the form of flocks sheep in road) and arrived safe by 6.30pm in Corran, where support driver, Richard Oughton had rum and a hot meal waiting.

Today (Sunday 12th May 2013), after a night under canvas and with heavy rain expected later, the team start early to take advantage of the better weather, going off road straight away for the 42 mile/67km ride to Fort Augustus.

You can still sponsor the team to show your support via their MyDonate page

 

Deadline for applications – 8th April 2013

We are looking for more volunteers to join us as School Pastors.  Building on our successful pilot year we have now launched a long-term project to support students in Island Schools through the School Pastors Initiative.  If you would like to help support students this way then please download our application pack.  If you have any questions or would like to talk through what’s involved, please get in touch with Rebecca Kelly, School Pastors Coordinator.

Our Spring newsletter is now available online from our downloads page, or click here - Newsletter 7, Spring/Summer 2013.  Printed copies should be winging their way to us as I post.

School Pastors is expanding.  After a successful pilot project we are aiming to help more students and bring safety and reassurance to Island schools.  Come along and find out all about our vision to support students in Island schools

Wed 13th March 7.30pm, Castlehold Baptist Church, High Street, Newport

We now have opportunities for people to join us as volunteer School Pastors and Prayer Pastors. Find out more at the information evening or contact School Pastors coordinator Rebecca Kelly on 07428 399866 or email rebecca@iowstreetpastors.org.uk

Isle of Wight Street Pastors coordinator David Ouston was an Olympic Torch bearer as the torch passed through the Island on Saturday, while volunteer Street Pastors provided support during the Needles section of the event.  It was a real privilege for those who took part to be involved with this amazing event, and a great honour for Dave to be asked to be a Torch Bearer.  Dave was delighted to have been allocated the Needles section of the route; “The Needles is known all over the world really, and to be given this slot was just wonderful”.  He also saw his presence in the Olympic torch ceremony as being representative of the whole of Isle of Wight Street Pastors; “I’ve got seventy volunteers, many of them here and I’m running for all of them”.

You can see interviews with Dave and clips from his section of the relay in the videos below.

http://youtu.be/YBHCZE_koQY