So What Did You Do Yesterday Dave?

Well children, I got a bus from a place called Wick to a place called John O’Groats in sweaty sockland and I arrived at around 10.30 in the morning.  After that I picked up my bag and walked. I was going fast so I walked some more. In the end I walked 21 miles to a place called Thurso. Also in sweaty sockland. I missed out Dunnet Head, the northernmost point on the Britsh Mainland and decided to go back today and walk out to it.

  
Anyway I’m as bored of this adult to children address as you are so let’s rewind to Wick. My bus in the morning was warm and dry.

  
The cloud was down so there were no fabulous long distance views but that’s what adds to the Highland atmosphere. When you eventually see something; to be wanted it will be more wondered at. Like the island of Stroma as you’re coming towards J O’G. 

  
John O’Groats is tiny. The journey between Land’s End in Cornwall and John O’Groats in sweaty sockland is the longest distance between two inhabited communities in the UK at something like 850 miles by road (1363 Kms).  

  
One of the ferries to the Orkney Isles was coming in to dock. The land visible across the sea in the photo below is the start of the Orkneys. An archipelago across one of the most dangerous seaways in the world. The Shetland Islands are 150 miles further north. Grim.

  
I followed the surprisingly busy road to the west. On this eastern side of the north coast there is a lot of construction and industrial activity. However it still feels remote. And it is. Just over 2000 miles from the North Pole. 

Walking westwards I passed a cold but commanding place for the last generation and their fore parents to spend eternity. 

  
Along the route the flowers were behind English phasing but very beautiful. 

  
  
Eventually I made it to a long stretch of beach leading to Castletown. It was stunning, bleak and empty.

  
Apart from a whelk shell!

  
I rejoined the road for the last pitch to Thurso, coming across this sad memorial to a road accident victim. Rest in peace Jacek.

  
Thurso appeared through the dreach and I found the campsite after  a long slog. A chicken vindaloo soon put things right!

 
Night night.