Home in 1 piece
So rain, hail or shine, I was gonna head North for a whistle stop run across the top of Scotland, stopping the night in Thurso before popping into JoG before heading South again. And the weather gods looked down with favour. This was the route plan.
Rain came on here, so on with the rain suit.
Then it was murky with roads wet and dry to Fort Bill, where things brightened up considerably.
I think there's a high mountain lurking up there somewhere.
Lunch here was a bargain - soup, sannie + cuppa all for a fiver. Bargain.
The rain suit had to come off before Ullapool as things were warming up nicely.
Had to squeeze past 4 German Harley Dudes who didn't seem to understand how single track passing places should be used on the road to Tongue.
Where a welcome cuppa was found here.
Why does an "I Luv Tongue" sticker make me smile?
I think the other one is a Bongo.
Saw part of our industrial heritage.
With an impression of how it may look in future.
Next morning dawned grey but dry, with rain threatening to move south from Orkney, so I made an early departure from Thurso to say hi to the most northely point here.
Old Man of Hoy in the distance
Then to JoG itself. The traditional signpost was nowhere to be seen so I settled for this.
What a fantastic road from Thurso down to Brora, where the sun was out and the North Sea was looking it's best.
Lunchtime pit stop at one of my favourite caffs.
Before heading down through glorious Lecht + Glen Shee
668 miles. Ave speed 50/55 each day. Fuel usual 45-50 mpg. Nice. A wee bit of a wash needed now.