John o' Groats

The wind blew all last night and showed no signs of giving in this morning. The sun fought for space amongst the fast-moving clouds eventually pushing them aside.

 This day three years ago we were in the Loire valley, France.

 And this day 2 years ago in Portugal wearing shorts. Shorts Marge! Well, you can forget wearing them here.

Taking advantage of some reasonable weather we tried to leave a little earlier than normal. The van next to us first provided some entertainment, the best bit the lady cleaning the dust of the dashboard with the sleeve of her pale jumper. Dirty woman. Be nice Marge. Well honestly hasn't she got a cloth. Today we had a treat in store for Marge. Why has this road got snow gates? Well Marge, you know how you like to drive something a little more adventurous, today it's the Berriedale Braes. Don't worry they've improved the road over the last year, it'll be a breeze. See even large lorries are using it, just don't meet one on a switchback. 

The morning sunshine lit the coastline as we travelled along the A9 towards Wick. The views were stunning. We stopped at Cairn o' Get, an impressive Neolithic chambered burial cairn. Another van pulled in to the parking area behind us. They took out their phones, googled, looked up and saw the cairn was a bit of a walk, and drove off. Another boxed ticked. Cairn o' Get visited.

We however were glad to stretch our legs, walking through a field of inquisitive sheep, then stopping to look at the views across the north sea towards the wind turbines.

Next stop Wick. The big town. Tesco for a food shop and fifteen pounds worth of diesel for Marge. Angela was shocked inside the store to see so many empty shelves. There was plenty of fresh produce, but packaged food was low. 

Tonight's chosen stop was John o' Groats. As we approached John pointed out some sand dunes to the right. Knowing there would probably be a beautiful sandy beach beyond them we took a right turn taking us down to Keiss beach.

Huge powerful rolling waves came towards us. Am I going to get wet? No Marge, we'll park you a little way back. We were mesmerised. The wind blew spindrifts across the waves. What a sight. 

Last year at John o' Groats we sat outside lunching in the warm sunshine. Not this year. The rain felt unrelenting and the wind blew a hooley. The vans came and went. Their owners running to that famous signpost for a photograph. A few however have stayed. The weather forecast for tomorrow is good, so we'll enjoy taking our time to look around the harbour area before leaving. And of course, we'll take a photograph of that famous signpost again.