Driving

Beautiful early sunrise started our day, we wanted to get up to John O Groats early doors. Drove up to Duncansby lighthouse and sea stack and managed a wander around the cliff tops observing what I excitedly thought were puffins but they were ‘only’ guillemot. Would so love to see puffins but hopeful for further round. Next, on to John O Groats for the obligatory signpost then usual Saturday morning tradition of brekkie in the cafe there. Quick browse around the gift shops then on to Dunnet Head nature reserve to the most northerly point on mainland UK. Not much to report here (no puffins/seals/dolphins) but have noticed the wind dying down and the scenery changing to more traditional highland views now we’ve turned the corner and going across the north coast. Quite a lot of driving today and as Gary’s ankle is still tender, I’m doing the driving, which I don’t mind at all. We meandered along the NC500 route past puffin cove (no access), through Thurso (Elaine’s home town) , over bridges and mountains, the scenery dramatically changing for the better. Our usual late lunchtime pit stop of tea and cake has become a habit! The last stretch approaching the top left corner of the country/highlands was very scenic and rugged. Lots of single width roads, winding around mountains and getting stuck behind a Spanish motorhome for 10 miles doing the slowest speeds! Painful. Despite police signs instructing to allow overtaking, this unit would not (prob didn’t realise) budge. I even flashed him a few times but to no avail. Followed him to literally the same place we were going, Smoo Cave. We wandered down into the cave then up and around the cliff top then on to the local village looking for an overnight. Did a spot of dinner shopping and drove past a lovely looking campsite that I had phoned recently to book but were full. It looked massive though so thought I’d pop in and ask on the off chance and they said yes. V pleased. We picked our own spot overlooking the sandy beach/sea and went for a walk down to the beautiful beach. The beaches are more like this once we hit the west coast so looking forward to some swims. The water obvs was chilly when I paddled but to be expected, it is the North/Norwegian Sea. Back to the van for dinner and pleased we got to the site when we did for a good park up spot as it was starting to get busy. Spanish slow driver turned up plus another van we recognised over last few days parking up. Get to see the same people I guess as we all go the same direction stopping at similar points.
We had a nice leisurely Saturday evening playing Rummikub, making next day plans and Gary could rest his ankle with the designated bag of peas. The bruising is starting to come out slowly. Think it may impact on some of our activities though. Hoped to go to puffin island tomorrow (my last chance to see them around this way but the boat doesn’t run on a Sunday! Not meant to be. The ton load of highland cows we’ve been promised better make up for it! Travelled 800 miles so far. Another epic journey.Read more