This
was to be the best day's cycling of the whole trip. Yesterday the road had climbed from sea level at Bonar Bridge to Lairg. Now it was going to be almost level for a few miles, then downhill all the way to the north coast 40 miles away. The journey started on the A836, which soon became a single track road with passing places.
The initial part was a very gentle rise along the course of this small river.
Barely any traffic.
Cottongrass by the side of the road in boggy ground.
Beautifully quiet.
On the outskirts of Altnaharra this herd were grazing happily. I expected to buy provisions for lunch here
but had to pass through the village with no shops,
and turn onto the B873 alongside Loch Naver
which was even quieter. Lunchstop, I had to make do with what I could find in my panniers. There was certainly nobody around I could beg from.
and the road went gently on
past these guys, (but no midges here)
till the river reached
the north coast - yeay!
Along
the north coast, the road is up and down between the mouths of various streams and small rivers
and wide enough for two vehicles to pass. The first signpost to John O'Groats, only 37 miles to go.
You can hardly see it here, but this was my first view of the Orkneys.
Dounreay Nuclear Power Station, which I believe is just starting a 30 year decommissioning programme. A few miles further, and I reached the municipal camp site at Thurso, where I stopped for the night, within striking distance of the end.
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