Cream Crackered in the Caorngorms

Day 3, Monday. Following a really ropey morning the lunch was excellent and brought us some way back to sanity.
This was always going to be a long day but we diverted by 7 miles or so round Culloden Battlefield. Whilst I was checkiong directions in a pub James thought it a good idea to get the first tumble out of the way and promptly fell off his bike. Someone had to I suppose.
Just before that James suggested we shelter in Tesco's (of all places) to let the torrential rain pass. Roles reversed and it was me pushing us on which was a good job as we'd still be there.
The climb up to Slochd and 2 other severe 1 in 3 (well burning legs felt like it) drained all our reserves of energy and the fuel light was beyond flashing and we were running on vapour. After Slochd it was a relatively easy run, undulating but we'd have eaten it up previously. We were both totally exhausted and it seemed to go on for ever.
The views up here in the Cairngorms are awesome so once it dried out around 3/4pm it was terrific cycling conditions (for someone with a milligram of energy).
Big thanks to Sustrans for making Route 7 to avoid us having to risk life & limb on the treacherous A9. and thanks to Chris (very friendly German who is also of immaculate taste having also selected the same Specialized Tricross bike as me) at Craigdon Mountain sports shop in Inverness for showing us where it was. Unfortunately these can be unkempt and on a section 7 miles from The Inn I got the first puncture of the expedition (not counting my ripping the valve out on Day 1). It's shocking that I've never changed tube before so thankful that James is such an accomplished fixer. Don't you get messy particulary removing a rear wheel. We're both still covered in oil.
Finally made it to The Inn, Dalwhinnie at 8pm completely knackered - this is definitely the most exerting thing I've ever done.
The Inn is an enigma - we expected a traditional walkers type pub but it's all blond wood, designer lamps, millions of candles, Hopi music playing and a giant screen showing Powaanisqatsi (look it up) which is quite bizarre. James doesn't like it particularly when he asked a member of staff if he could have a drink as we were sat down eating and he said 'yes the bar's over there' - nil point for customer focus. James wants to post a review later.
Spent a while talking to Eon & Birgitte (?) fro Norway (gas rig worker and ex-policewoman). The were really friendly and told us a lot about the differences between Bergen and here but weren't remotely interested in our ride. Which is fine. I think I expected a heroes welcome. James made a crack that Norway had less rain because the clouds were empty having dumped it all on the UK - Eon laughed for at least 2 minutes at this and has now added it to his collection of 4000 jokes. James liked this. On hearing of James' painful achilles tendons they suggested he apply Christ's Oil (olive oil it seems) and offered to send him 'Some Healing Love'. James sceptically accepted and we decided it was becoming surreal and went to bed.