Today we encountered the 'wee biting beasties' - highland midges which love the cool overcast and completely windless conditions that greeted us this morning. So after a huge breakfast we got everything prepared for a quick exit from our B&B and dashed for the bikes, attempting in vain to load panniers and get pedalling before being spotted by the midges. We sustained a few bites but once we got going they left us alone as they don't like wind - a good incentive to keep going though! So we went all the way to Thurso where we bought lunch, then cycled on to a beach at Dunnet Bay to eat it with a nice view of Dunnet Head. Then we pedalled on to John O' Groats determined to arrive by 3pm so as to complete our trip within 10 days (we left Lands End at 3pm on 27th May). We pulled into John O' Groats at 2:50pm and were welcomed by William's aunt Rona sporting a small bottle of champagne for each of us. After taking the required photos we inspected the boarded up hotel and tacky gift shops before preparing to return to Thurso. Rona kindly transported our panniers back to Thurso in her car and we flew along without the weight of the panniers, rediscovering the pleasure of cycling without excess baggage. After checking into the hostel we went out for a celebration meal with Rona.
We catch the train from Thurso on Monday at 8:40am and then have a 12.75 hour train journey to recover, doze and readjust to normal life.
Thanks to everyone who has supported and sponsored us. We hope you've enjoyed following our adventures and the justgiving sites will be open for donations for a few weeks yet as we hope to exceed our targets for Help the Hospices.
Graham & William
