Day 10 Can I do it?

My toughest day lay ahead with only 5hrs sleep last night!

We had booked in at the Fortrose Caravan Park at 9.30pm. Lesley and I arrived together – an unusual event. What a beautiful place and the owners donated our pitch fee to Mark. There’s a long story here but I was looking forward to staying here out of all our stops and it’s beauty is beyond my expectations. It really is a privilege to behold – next time you’re camping or caravanning or whatever it is we’re doing and you’re near Inverness – don’t miss it!

Anyway it’s 6.30am as I type this and I must away the noo.

11.00 and I’m at Tain on the A9, 1/4 done – I gave a tow to a young lad (well old enough to be a vet) but he is off sight seeing as he is taking 2 days for the Inverness to John O’Groats trip in line with all the advice I have been given but hey ho onwards and upwards.

I rode through Dornoch, Golspie and Brora, all places I have golfed at in the past. Today it felt like a lifetime away. The sun was shining and the coast at Brora was stunning. It could have been the South of France.

Lesley and the the support crew were due to pass me around Brora and we were going to meet just after at Helmsdale. I got a call from her. They’d passed me. It must have been when I dissappeared into the bushes for one of many pees.

I couldn’t help but admire the way Ian (my ex-colleague who joined me on day 4) remained on his stationary bike whilst peeing. I tried to do it but it does take practise and the handlebars do tend to swing round but after a few accidents I perfected it.

Anyway, Lesley rang and said the they had gone through Helmsdale and there was a massive hill coming up.