Today we headed from Melvich to Wick via Thurso (the main purpose here being to have coffee and buy a picnic lunch) and then onto John O’Groats to get the legendary picture and eat said meal.
Throughout the ride the hills slowly reduced in height although the road itself was like an endlessly straight strip of tarmac. It was a beautiful clear and increasingly sunny day and the beaches loooked inviting with clear water and clean white sand. Dunnit beach was the most busy of the beaches with great views and plenty of activity. Further along the north coast spectacular views out to Hoy and Orkney were to be had. All of which were just a little bit special! 
Moving further along the coast we encountered ancient churches with commonwealth war graves contained within their grounds and further still an ancient castle and viewpoint. Sure the sun made it look great but this is a beautiful coastline, breathtaking in its own right albeit very different from the mountains we had left behind.
We arrived at John O’Groats to find it was home to a car rally, so we decided to let them get on with it whilst we found ourselves a beautiful sunny spot to have lunch. Infact it got so warm and sunny that for the first time in too many days we risked taking off our neoprene overshoes to allow our bike shoes to dry out! A very relaxing lunch sitting outside people watching and wondering, – all of which there is plenty to do!
After lunch it was time to muscle our way through the cars to get the obligatory photo and then it was off down the coast to Wick, our overnight stop. This was the first time we had headed south and very much marked the start of the home run.
We arrived at Seaview Guest House and met June, our fantastic Geordie hostess who has lived in Wick for the last 15 years and who knows everyone and everything, including where to eat, what to see and how many sets of twins exist in Wick, – answer 14! It has to he said that our June tells some wickedly amusing stories too, just ask her about her Christmas lights, the boat at sea and Wick airport!
Tomorrow, our penultimate day, sees 107k down the A9, so after taking in the views and a tour of the town, it was time for bed.
There and Back: 