A bit of a blow

The journey begins.

Breakfast at Luton Airport with Sue before the 0935 flight to Inverness where Charlie from the John O'Groats Bike Company took me and bike up to the starting point.  A group of five or six finishers arrived as I was about to start, so after reciprocal photo taking and a rousing send-off I was away. A wind of around 40mph from the West,  accelerating from inland as it approached the coast,  demanded concentration and both hands firmly on the handlebar to avoid gusts depositing bike and rider into the grass verge. At 90 degrees it wasn't too problematical but as it was mostly from slightly in front, maximum speed was around 6-7 mph. A slight variation in direction coming into Wick allowed a mile or two at 20 mph which was most enjoyable. 18C Thrumster House was a welcome sight after 21 miles at about 6pm and by 7.30 I was down at the Old Smiddy Inn where 'no tables were available' for an evening meal. 

Thrumster House

After a pint and a chat at the bar with a local this minor difficulty disappeared and a whisky chaser later I was enjoying a welcome steak pie and chips.

Old railway station

 Walking back I detoured into the grounds to view a prehistoric broch, of which there are apparently hundreds in Caithness, probably residences of powerful families, in the form of a tower, possibly for defensive purposes.

Broch with modern summer house attached

Back in the grand entrance hall of the B&B another malt was proffered by the owner and gratefully accepted. Off to bed now ready for a longer ride tomorrow, hopefully in reduced wind conditions.