After lunch in Wick it was only 17 miles to go but into what must have been a 20mph headwind it took almost 3 hours! I achieved my first average for any day on a bike of below 10mph! One long drag then a reward of the Orkneys in the distance, regroup with Rob - the final hill he crested first his only one of the trip!
To the signpost but no photographer. Staying in the Seaview Hotel, which has a surprisingly good menu.
Minibus to Inverness then train to Edinburgh. Train on Monday to Birmingham.
Would I do it again? No chance but then that's what Rob said five years ago.

Sent from the Mercian's handlebars by Jon

HEADWIND for 24 miles - but at least it's flat so far today!

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From Rob's handlebars

The best laid plans...
We thought today would be a nice, easy pootle of 56 miles. However, a fierce headwind made life much tougher. Still averaged over 12 mph though.
More gorse, foxgloves, Scottish bluebells (we didn't go in and out of them), oystercatchers and jackdaws.
Loads of tourist coaches and Scottish Energy vans a big and very dead red deer.
Met two endtoenders -see Rob's entry - luckily for them they had a tailwind. Saw first sign since Land's End for John O'Groats: nearly there!

Sent from the Mercian's handlebars by Jon

In Golspie for lunch - it's 1245 but no signal so sent later - another bacon & brie baguette!
Still the relentless headwind. :-( ..but glorious sunshine.

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From Rob's handlebars
At Helmsdale with an early finish at 1540 after about 57 miles into the wind with very little shelter.

Met Tav & Pip (see calendar for 17 June start)
on their JOGLE ... using the Rob & Joe's JOGLE route (Journal 176, map on a CD is available for a donation to Macmillan)- they had a TAILWIND making it easy!!

Just over 50 miles for us to do tomorrow.
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From Rob's handlebars