It might have taken nearly 2 weeks but we finally got a glimpse of what spring might look like as the sun finally appeared on our journey to the Scottish mainland.
We left our late night partying pub to wind our way southwards through the main Orkney Island enjoying a beaut series of downhills
Our route took us along the historic Churchill barriers a series of rock fill and sunken ship debris used to block small channels on the Orkneys to protect the British Fleet during WW1 & WW2.. These barriers were enhanced under Churchills orders in 1939 after a Uboat snuck through defences torpedoing the British battleship HMS Royal Oak causing a staggering loss of 843 men most still entombed.
The military history enroute also included the amazingly POW painted Italian Chapel. On the outside just 2 simple Nissan huts joined together but on the inside elaborately painted walls recreating the design of a chapel - incredible given its affect.
We pushed on to St Margaret's Hope for our catamaran like ferry to the Scottish mainland in breezy but now sunny conditions . I thought Monika had somehow planned her escape when I heard a chopper buzzing directly above us but apparently the huge Coast Guard helicopter was conducting a simulation drill attempting to winch one of its support crew onto the ferry while both were in motion !
Having to shed one of our 14 clothing layers upon docking on the Scottish mainland at Gills Bay, we headed the 7 kms to John O'Groats the celebrated UK end to end finishing point of cyclists of walkers including ourselves in 2011.
We took time to have lunch in one of the more modern of the many gaudy buildings and sat back to watch some back slapping cyclists open champagne to celebrate the completion of their journey.
Retracing our 2011 steps we headed inland back past our ferry's landing point now into a headwind which Monika thanked me for. Finally we reached our beautifully positioned and designed b&b on Dunnet Head 4 kms shy of the real most northerly land point on mainland UK
After taking a quick culpa and scones, as you do in the UK, we completed the final 4 kms without panniers to take in the magical ocean views looking back to the Orkneys from the top of the head.
Another day on the bikes completed and near to 400 kms cycled so far with a tough day forecast for tomorrow of 100 kms in the rain !
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