In perspective

My entrance to Oban was a bit of an anti-climax. 13th century Dunstaffnage Castle, guarding the northern approach to this great port, was closed, and midge infested.  The final miles were through a run-down housing estate (closest road to the sea, but no view).  There was  no "Welcome to Oban" sign, just obscuring drizzle', tired legs, and a strong desire to get out of the rain.  It definitely wasn't Chris Froome's triumphant ride up the Champs Elysees.
I'm sorry about that.  Oban, Capital of the west coast, Gateway to the Isles, is an important, purposeful crossroads.  Attractive,  too.

As I've said previously, everyone's perspective is different:
In Fort William yesterday, I'd shared a room with a father and son duo who were cycling from their home in mid-Wales to John O'Groats. And back.  As Dad was planning his solo ride, the 17 year old son, who didn't have much cycling experience, said "Can I come?"  They were doing about 100 miles a day, and learning as rhey went: the fact that I washed underwear each night "inspired" the Dad to alter his previous,  rather smelly, approach.  A mile into their journey, they passed an elderly neighbour who asked where they were heading - the next village perhaps? "No, John O'Groats."
Last night, here in Oban, I was swapping notes with a couple of cyclists from Leeds. They explained they were starting in Tobermory,  and heading via Ardnamurchan to Mallaig, the reverse of my route.   Then Dingwall (strange, a long way on a busy road), Gairloch,Durness (extreme northwest of Scotland), across the top to Thurso, down the east, back to Skye in the west...  It soundrd like a very long trip, criss-crossing between many of the places I've visited in the past three years.  We swapped approaches to kit: sleeping arrangements (bivvy bag) and food (visit Co-op shops, open for longer).  Very slowly, it dawned on me that they were going to do this, 1200km, in ninety hours, including sleeping time.  Sleeping in bus shelters, or maybe two or thtee hours in a hostel if ther can arrive at 1am and lrave at 4. It's a cycling challenge route called an Audax, and about seventy riders will take part.  The previous year, the event was filmed for the Scottish 'Adventure Programme'.  Everyone's definition of fun, and crazy, is different.