Girl done good

Over 1000 miles… No complaints, only smiles…

We are here !

Arrived in Jog at about 4.30. Charlie and Jenny met us 5 miles from the end on their bikes – great to see them waiting on the bridge for us! We are now staying at the Inn at John O Groats – the red building on the end. The views are incredible and the sun is still shining – this is amazing.

The total mileage is 1010 miles or thereabouts. Met some great people along the way and the journey and the arrival have been fantastic. We are drinking champagne and celebrating with Charlie and Jenny who have welcomed us in style! Big thanks to them both for driving all the way up here to collect us and for making our arrival at Jog so memorable!

View from the B & B

The views over towards Altnaharra

It was 8 miles down hill from the pub to the B & B. Arrived at the B & B in Altnaharra and had a lovely welcome from Mandy and Lindsay. Really lovely people and were cooked a fabulous evening meal by Mandy. We sat with three other cyclists and their support driver and had a good chat about our experiences. They had picked up a young Chinese student in Moffat and had taken him under their wing. He came over to visit. He is staying in the only other accommodation in the village – the Altnaharra Hotel where the Ghillies Bar was full of fishermen who hadn’t caught any fish – too sunny. They had good suntans though (and beer bellies!).

Here at last!

Had a couple of pints of Black Isle Blonde with Mike and Angus in the mid afternoon sun.

Approaching the Crask Inn

Waters of Shin

Spectacular river with waterfalls and beautiful glades . Apparently Al Fayed owns the land around and he built a visitor centre at the main waterfalls which had a wax statue of him in it. It mysteriously burnt down a few years ago.

Scottish Cycle Gear

Apparently come independence it’s compulsory to wear special Scottish safety cycling gear…

Mick’s shadow!

To Knee or not to be…

It’s been a privilege to be able to cycle with Fio today. I admit to feeling nervous last night in Alness, as I finished the last 10 miles my leg was back to its old tricks and had locked up with a muscle spasm and was aggravating the tendon. I peddled the last mile or so with one leg only…

I set off very gingerly and Fio hung back to look after me. The day before I had only managed 3 pain free miles so I kept things very very easy. After 35 miles the leg started to stiffen so I lay on the verge whilst Fio massaged my leg (I know any excuse)… This kept me pain free for the rest of the day. Hopefully we’ll get through tomorrow – but I think I’m lucky to be back on the bike at all.