Day 24 Thurso to John o' Groats

Did my usual and woke at 5, looked for my phone to do some more blog but couldn't find it easily so did the crossword and some puzzles in the paper. Slept another hour from 6 to 7.

Breakfast is included in the hostel fee, its just a diy job. Cereals,milk, bread and preserves are in/on the fridge, good choice too. We tidy up the sink area then pack up our gear. The welcoming party are not due at JoG until 1330 ish so we go for a look around Thurso and a coffee. 

I catch up with some more blogging and Julian with his favourite paper, the saturday Guardian.

I am in a bit of a dream, forgetting we still have 20 miles or so to ride. It seems nothing now, just a couple of hours. The heavy drizzle had relented a bit now so we set off at an easy pace. First hill of the day arrives almost immediately getting out of Thurso. Its single track and we have to judge whether or not drivers are considerate or not to allow us to continue or force us to stop. The view is minimal due to the fog but it is looking brighter towards the east.

We have seen a variety of pets from alpacas and llamas to these emu's. 

Throught the journey the fields are supporting many young animals who look at us inquisitively as we glide silently by, and Caithness has had a good crop of calves this year. The land is very lush and they look happy in their green fields.

The road has very long straight sections and as the fog lifts we can see a mile or so ahead. One more hill and its only 2 miles to go. We reach the last junction and take pics of ourselves then freewheel downhill to the car park, raising our hands as they do on the last day of the ' Tour '. We've done it!

1242 miles and an untold number of flapjacks and pork pies. 

It has been an interesting, and in places, challenging cycle ride. We have experienced kindness from people willing to go out of their way to help complete strangers and seen such a variety of landscape in this relatively small country of ours. It has been great to do at a manageable pace and i would say to anyone thinking of doing it to just go and do it.

A big thank you to our families and friends who have sponsored us for MS Research and supported us by giving us a bed and food. We couldn't have done it without you!