The Prologue

01 July 2007 - arrival at Barra, while folk throw tents onto the croft we’ve been lent. Then I set off the bikes and the runners. Those on foot will bag a few hills and belt back –bikes need to zip to a CP on Vatersay and also circumnavigate the island –it’s a great bike road!

Rushing towards the deadline of 1630 ferry across the Sound of Barra, for some (no vehicles, thank God), kayak for others and racing on Eriskay for the remainder! Jeff Allen (SSO) has now seen the kayakers strut their stuff and is very happy with most…wish I was paddling with them but the company on the SoB ferry is cheery despite grey, indecisive weather. Forecast is now for mostly light winds and the ‘blow’ set for Tuesday seems to be going to miss us. A short break on arrival at Barra, while folk throw tents onto the croft we’ve been lent. Then I set off the bikes and the runners. Those on foot will bag a few hills and belt back –bikes need to zip to a CP on Vatersay and also circumnavigate the island –it’s a great bike road! First back in on the bike are Pair 7, closely pursued by Pair 9 and then the first team T05. From the hill it is Pair 5 then Team 17…wonder if this will be the shape of things to come? 23 bikes and 26 runners are all back by 1932. Late arrival Richard Lang of T23 does a commendable solitary bike-whizz in just over the hour, finishing at 2200h. And so to bed –or should that be groundsheet on damp croft? Ferry Terminal café owner Peter Brown has done a good job of feeding us all so we are replete and happy in our slumbers…