Day 59 - By Loch and Sea (or Firth)

A view over Loch Fleet, near Golspie, which is a National Nature Reserve. I walked for 2 miles along its shores to start today's walk - seeing dozens of seals and lots of birds. Unfortunately I didn't think to take a photo of the seals on a sand bank until I was too far past - and it is a rule of long distance walking that you do not go back!

Dunrobin Castle just outside Golspie. We had lunch there today and Jean did a tour this afternoon which also included a falconry display.

Golspie seems to be run by Lindsay and Co with at least 3 shops owned by them. I am currently exploring whether I have any legal redress for them using the name of my firm! If you look to the left of the window you will see the photographer taking the picture - note the shorts which made their first appearance since before the West Highland Way.

Today's hotel does have a functioning wifi (so far) so hopefully I will be able to do a full blog tonight. The hotel is at Helmsdale (it used to be the Duke of Sutherland's hunting lodge)and has marvellous views over the sea from its cliff top vantage point. After my walk today I spent half an hour sitting outside the hotel bird watching in the lovely afternoon sunshine - idyllic.

I managed another 20 miles again today - reaching 5 miles short of Helmsdale. The first 2 miles were along the shores of Loch Fleet. After a few miles along the A9 with no pavement/cycle lane etc (luckily it wasn't too busy) I then took the coastal path for about 9 miles from Golspie to about 3 miles past Brora - this used the links which included walking through Brora golf course. I thought that I was walking beside the North Sea, and in reality I was, but I have been told that it is in fact the Cromarty Firth. On the links I got too close to a nesting ground for Arctic Tern which I didn't realise until about a dozen of them started dive bombing me to scare me away - it certainly worked and I left the area as soon as possible.

Tomorrow I plan to walk another 20 miles to Dunbeath - which unfortunately is all along the A9, hopefully as it is a Saturday it will not be too busy, as it becomes frustrating having to step onto the verge to allow vehicles to pass. In any event it is not very enjoyable as it is necessary to keep concentrating on the traffic at all times - at least this makes me walk faster in an attempt to complete the miles as quickly as possible!

My health and fitness are both excellent - with hopefully only 3 more days to go. This afternoon I had a strange thought that in recent weeks it has been a little too easy. It feels almost like cheating if I don't have to crawl over the finishing line suffering from various aches and pains - it is supposed to be difficult! I will however try to fight such nonsense and to keep fit until the end.

We are currently in Sutherland which is a wonderful place. I had no pre-conceived ideas about what to expect north of Inverness but it really has been a very pleasant surprise - the countryside is attractive and the towns and villages are pleasant and tourist friendly.

"I represent what's left of a vanishing race, and that is the pedestrian... That I am still able to be here, I owe to a keen eye and a nimble pair of legs. but I know they will get me someday." - Will Rogers

Cheers

Keith