top of the the UK

Had a really beautiful day with fantastic weather. Camped lastnight in Thurso and was so nice to cycle without the weight of all the camping gear etc’. I flew. Along the way I was fortunate to meet some cheeky chaps from London who were just coming to end of their Lands End to John O’Groats tour. They did it in an impressive 11 days. Met them at Dunnets Head – all a little odd as I have found rarely that cyclists will stop to talk whilst cycling – so didn’t know quite what to do – slow down or pedal faster?? We cycled up to Dunnets Head – this is the most Northerly point of the UK mainland (did the whole picture thing of being the only person in the UK with everyone behind them) – funny. Then we cycled on over to John O’Groats – to find, well not much there to be honest, apart from the sign, that you actually have to pay to go in – what a joke! Was fun to be part of their accomplishment and celebrations – 11 days is good going for that distance against such bad weather we have been having. Actually they were all about the celebrations since meeting them – cracked open a can at Dunnets Head and then 10 miles later cracked open another can…wonder if they made it back home? I left them to cycle back to Thruso (against the wind) and got ridiculously wind burnt, my face and arms are like leather. Sunscreen factor 50 from now on.

The sun went down at around 11pm and it was a good feeling to have such a great day – a bit of sunshine and good company can make all the difference. Talking of company I had a Grandad of 14 grandchildren camping beside me – Arthur – from my neck of the woods. He liked to get away for abit of peace and quiet. Now his bike was full of funny little add on’s. Reminded me so much of my Dad. He had an old skateboard wheel on the back that worked as a light – for ages I had been looking at it wondered – thinking it was some type of mile measurer? This wheel device flipped down and rolled off the back wheel. Said he didn’t like all these new gadgets – with this you just flipped it and didn’t need any batteries.