All up, including the Orkney's I covered 1508 miles in 45 days cycling which equates to a bit more than 1.2 million wheel revolutions!
So here's the last lot of pics and words, remember you just have to click to enlarge.
Viva la revolution!!!
World famous Loch Ness and after years of speculation and fuzzy photos I finally have unequivocial proof- the sun does shine in Scotland! No monster though- apart from the midges.
I camped near this spot and had a fresh dip in the morning.One of the greatest things about Scotland is what's know as the Land Reform Act (2003). Basically means there is no law of trespass and anyone has the right to be on any piece of land, including camping,as long as they are acting responsibly.
This has got to be one of the most progressive acts of legislation in the world.It seems it may have partly come as a delayed reaction to the Clearances of the 1800's. This was a tragic time in Scottish history when, to put it in simple terms, the land barons got together and kicked the peasants off the land so they could farm more sheep.
This injustice has never truly been forgotten and, a couple of centuries later, may be partly responsible for a wonderful law that affirms what is quite basic logic when we stop and think about it- no one can truly own and control the land.
Cold power shower anyone? Foyers Falls, just south of Inverness.
The penultimate day. This was the first sign for John O'groats that I'd seen. A strange thing happened at this stage as my legs surged afresh with energy and adrenaline, not wanting to stop I ended up riding to nightfall and covering 82 miles. The furthest I've done on the whole trip although I felt it the next morning.
Another posterity shot! Would it be unmanly to admit to a tear in my eye as I freewheeled the last 400metres to the ocean and the fulfillment of my long held ambition? Partly it was relief, partly satisfaction and partly deep gratitude for the places I've seen and the people I've met along the way.
Orkney islands now. Most of the beaches at this time of year are full of seals giving birth- not a good idea to get too close. However, this beach on the south of the island was seal (and human) free so I had to get in for a swim. Funny to think it's the same latitude as Hudson Bay, Canada and less than a 1000 miles from the Artic circle- the gulf stream keeps it pretty warm of course. Apparently in the summer the sun only dips behind the horizon for an hour creating an eerie twilight. They call it the summer dim and play midnight tennis and bowls!
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This next batch of photos is kind of similar to the out-takes that they used to show at the end of the Cannonball Run movies. They are images from the trip that I didn't manage to squeeze in before,but for various reasons, profound or otherwise, deserve an airing......
This strongly relates to the above pic.What a great place name! Imagine telling people that you live in Hope! Truly is a wonderful word.