Sunday 15th May: Odyssey in the rain and company on wheels at Ardchattan and Achaleven.
Tim McIntyre – who took this series of photographs below, says: ‘I caught up with Somerset at Ardchattan school and then cycled with him back to Achaleven, taking a few snaps along the way, before he set off for Glen Lonan.
‘There was a nice welcoming group of parents and children at each school bearing cake (Ardchattan) and muffins (Achaleven).
A dossier from Ulva was delivered to Ardchattan, and another from Ardchattan to Achaleven, where a third was collected for onward delivery to Minard.
‘All in all a good (if rather damp) start!’ And Somerset and Tim had a quick stop to look at Adchattan Kirk.
At Achaleven, Jacky Little said: ‘On time and with a break in the weather, Somerest arrived at Achaleven after a ride over the Connel Bridge and accompanied byTim McIntyre.
He was welcomed by village children and parents (children aged from 1 to 15, pupils past present and future). The children showed Somerset round their playground, showing him the hopscotch and games area, the pirate ship and giant standing pencils, and the football area.
The children happily played in the playground while the collection of parents discussed the positive experience that local education brings. The parents all recognised the morale boost that Somerset’s trip was bringing to all the threatened schools. Ardchattan’s letter was passed over and the Achaleven pupils handed over their message to Minard.
The Achaleven message was poster style and included photos of the school,the vegetable garden, the willow tunnel, the rainbow garden, the hopscotch area, the football area, the pirate ship and the school logo. The children had written poems and messages for Minard (below the next photograph) and they and Tim got a last wave from Somerset as he carried their messages off southwards though the rain.
Achaleven is the best,
So is Minard and all the rest,
We hope that we all win the fight,
Local schooling is our right.
by Kate Little
Carry on fighting Minard;We are with you all the way,
Since we are also in one,we can proudly say,
Small schools are the best, so keep the council at bay,
From us at Achaleven, at the end of the day,
Thank you Somerset, for carrying our messages all the way.
by Daniel Speirs
We hope your wee school stays open
Good luck to everyone at Minard
Go for it Minard we know you are trying hard to save your school
Small schools are cool
by Neil MacLean
Achaleven is a cycling school
We think what Somerset is doing is very cool.
by Alan Morrison
Good luck to everyone at Minard
by Adam MacLean
The poster also proudly displayed the ARSN logo and the children had written the names of all the threatened schools on the poster.
Delicious homemade muffins were passed round before Somerset headed off on his way to Minard. Rain held off for Somerset’s visit to Achaleven but started again shortly afterwards.
Somerset’s itinerary for the Cycle for Schools ride is here and so are the contacts for emailing us your sightings and photographs of Somerset on his travels.
Sunday 15th May early: Somerset Charrington pictured at Craignure, 
about to catch the ferry for Oban on his way first to Ardchattan school in North Lorn.Following the suggestions in the comments on this story about getting him a notice for his back, here is evidence of the Charrington capacity for improvisation.
