Day 59 - The Final Countdown

 

We were back on the cliffs today, walking from Whaligoe to Wick, although the going underfoot was much easier than the last couple of days, and the climbs were nowhere near as severe. The coastline was just as dramatic, however, with yet more stacks, a few sea arches and a lot more geos. We were even promised a couple of blowholes, which I was looking forward to without really knowing what they were: unfortunately, we passed them without noticing them, so they can remain a mystery to be solved another day. 

I think I may have brushed over the geos that have been omnipresent over the last few days: they are long, narrow and steep-sided cliff divisions caused by erosion. I think it is a local term for a geological feature that occurs all over the coast of Great Britain. The first one we passed today was Ellen's Geo, the top picture below, just in case my ex-colleague Ellen is reading this.

Given my understanding of geology would be ranked below my sub-average knowledge of British birdlife, I would suggest you don't give too much credence to the rest of this paragraph but, with regard to sea stacks and arches, I think there was originally one big cliff, but the sea gradually eroded the base away to leave an arch. Weathering then removed the top and we are left with a stack. Whatever the reason, they are a spectacular sight and I hope the photographs below help demonstrate this. I would also say my explanation is a massive improvement on anything I learned from Mr Wilkinson at Boteler Grammar School in the 1970s and I put the blame for the U grade in my Geography O Level firmly at his door. It still rankles.

It was a lovely walk and we had our lunch stop just before Wick, allowing us to call in for a coffee at the excellently named Wicker's World cafe on the quayside. I have long since refrained from mentioning every time Sticky has been left behind - I would estimate at least 20 times. Sticky, you may recall, is the World's Number One walking pole and has been employed as cattle prod, dog defender, bog tester, pole vault, Dad's Army rifle, cricket bat and, occasionally, an actual walking pole. Walking through Wick town centre today, Sticky was not required and, thus, we were half an hour past Wicker's World before I realised Sticky had, yet again, failed to accompany me on my departure.

For reasons best known to himself, Keith had collected a Wicker's World business card whilst in the cafe. I can only presume he was so impressed by their Malteser Slice to think they may be suitable candidates to provide the catering for his next birthday bash back home in Staffordshire. However, the details allowed me to phone and see if Sticky had made his presence felt. I was delighted and suprised to hear Suzanne had just found him. Pleased with this intervention, I thanked Wicker's for their assistance, told them to pass on my appreciation to Suzanne and said I would see her later. 

On ringing off, I wondered how Suze had known of Sticky's fate - she had no idea where I was, let alone Sticky. I phoned back: it turned out the Suzanne in question worked in the shop and was a little surprised by my expression of love for picking up a walking pole from underneath a chair. Matters were resolved, the real Suzanne visited later and Sticky and I have been reunited.

The afternoon walk was a pleasant stroll down the beach to Keiss, interupted only by traversing the River of Wester. This involved boot and sock removal and a bit of a paddle. The one other such instance was in week one to find a way across the Gannel Estuary in Cornwall and it seemed to nicely book end the walk.

The evening was rounded off with yet another Radio Two shout-out on the Edith Bowman show. I'm being mentioned as often as the BBC Sounds App. This was followed by a pleasant few drinks outside with Keith and Gill on the motorhome veranda in the late evening sunlight, although fleece and bobhat were really required.

1190 miles walked, 13.5 to go. All systems are John o'Groats.

Ellen's geo

kissing geos

Robbo abseiling

Ackergill Tower