Wednesday 2 July 2014

Day 16, July 2nd - Inverness to Golspie

The penultimate day started overcast with quite strong winds, but it was fine, although rain was forecast for mid to late afternoon.

After an excellent breakfast, we took our leave of our hosts at Glendoune (another place we can strongly recommend - Martin researched and booked all the places we stayed when we were not with friends or family and he maintained his 100% success rate). Our thanks to Margaret and Angus for their hospitality, their donation and this great photo:


We set off at a pace out of the city with the wind picking up noticeably (cycling the Kessock Bridge out of the city over the Beauly Firth was "interesting" to say the least - see the concentration below?)



Staying close to the coast we arrived at the Cromarty-Nigg car ferry with about 20 minutes before the next crossing and decided to dive into the nearby Sutor Creek Cafe. The mussels being served looked very tempting, but we made do with a lightning quick coffee and Eccles cake (similar high standard to the previous day's Cornish pasty). We were still in good time for the ferry, our first of the trip, and I was able to make contact on the short crossing (see photo below - no time wasted on this trip!) with my wife Roz and younger son Harry, who had just set off on their journey north from Cheshire to meet us in John O'Groats. 


Once on the other side the following wind really picked up and, with the route being quite flat, we were making very good pace. By the time we reached Tain (the oldest royal burgh in Scotland) for lunch we were beginning to realise we might arrive 1-2 hours earlier than the time of 6pm I had indicated when I called Graham and Scilla the previous evening. Apart from the favourable wind and the terrain, this was also caused by the increasing realisation that our mileage for the day had been overestimated - a new experience for us on this trip.

By the time we were about 4 miles from Golspie I called Graham and Scilla to find out if there was anyone at home (fortunately yes) and to let them know we would be arriving around 4.30pm rather than 6pm. Whilst I was making the call, Martin couldn't resist going back down the road to photograph this sign, which we'd just passed:


We duly arrived at Graham and Scilla's (by the way, I don't think I've mentioned the connection - Graham and I worked together in Glasgow a few years back and this was the first time we had seen each other since then). Their house is in a stunning position with spectacular views - Martin took this from his bedroom window - not bad, is it?


We had completed 56 miles in the day at our best pace to date, bringing the total distance covered to 1064 miles and just one day left. Will we have a successful conclusion in John O'Groats tomorrow? Read Thursday's blog to find out.