FIDO AND BONZO

DAY 12

Distance
67.9 miles
Cycling Time
5 hours 19 minutes
Average Speed
12.6 miles
Total miles
938


Our landlady said that Cromarty Firth is the deepest natural harbour in Europe. As we sat outside the pub at 11.00 p.m. last night, having our last pint in broad daylight, we studied the oil rigs parked there waiting to be towed away but when we woke up in the morning a ruddy cruise ship also arrived. Our landlady said they are frequent visitors so that the passengers can head off for a day trip to Loch Ness. We woke to another glorious sunny morning and miles after miles of stunning scenery. Thankfully the A9 was quiet on the Sunday morning and we made rapid progress. So much so that we reached our target destination, Helmsdale, just after midday with only 50 miles left that we decided to push on and take on the much written about and daunting “Berriedale Braes” that day. This is the last really testing stretch of the ride, allegedly.

We were told before we left that we would be as fit as butchers dogs by this stage of the ride well, we don’t know if butchers dogs have beer bellies and man boobs, but we gave ourselves the names ‘Fido’ and ‘Bonzo’ and kicked on. The last challenge turned out to be two very long and very steep climbs coming down to Helmsdale. (Today’s picture is the harbour there and Berriedale itself). Tough but not a match for Fido and Bonzo so we decided to stop at the Porland Arms at Lybster – only 30 miles to go.

Jan and Linda are on their way to see us finish and they will get to John of Groates around lunchtime. Until then we will hang back like a couple of coiled springs or crouching butchers dogs ready to leap forward for the finish line as soon as the girls give the instruction to go.