Day 60 - Crossing the finishing line

 

What started out as a grey, calm day in Keiss soon turned into glorious sunshine but accompanied by near gale force winds. The Dornoch Bridge I walked across a few days ago was closed to high-sided vehicles and, given the proximity of the John o' Groats Trail to the cliff edge, I have a feeling that it should have been closed to two high-sided blokes over six feet tall.

We were soon passing more Second World War pill boxes and, later in the day, another line of stone defences designed to prevent a German tank invasion - there is a picture below. It is quite reassuring to know so many are still in place although I am not sure tanks are the optimum weapon for warfare these days.

There were also several more geos, many mysteriously named - Wife Geo, Fast Geo, Well Geo - but the highlights again were the stacks, particularly the Stacks of Duncansby. Normally, their picture would take pride of place at the top of the page but today was all about crossing that finishing line and clutching on the John o' Groats sign directing me all the way back to Land's End.

We turned the corner at Duncansby, heading west into the teeth of the wind for the final three miles. I am not sure what the primary emotion was at the finish but relief was definitely involved. Suze had arranged a welcome party as best she could 600 miles from home in the teeth of a gale - her, Gill, two balloons, an Energetic Diabetic banner and a tot of single malt. We also had a video call with Sian, Rachel and Phil & Jackie, already looking bronzed in Italy.

I've really enjoyed sharing these last few days with Keith and Gill - Suzanne and I have appreciated the company. We're going to enjoy it with them a little bit more tonight at the Northern Sands Pub and Restaurant, half a mile from the camp site in Dunnet Bay, hence why the blog is a little brief tonight. I intend doing one final update tomorrow to round things off.

1203 miles, 60 days - I've loved it. I have often pondered the great questions in life whilst wandering round over the last few weeks. I like to keep things pretty simple and usually drifted off after a few minutes to think of more important things, like England footballers/cricketers/athletes for every letter of the alphabet. However, I did work out the walking is a great analogy for life. Sometimes it's tough and you have to put one foot in front of the other and trust things will improve. Other times, you fly along without thinking. The most difficult step is always the first one - whether that's joining some club or other, filling in a job application, or just recognising you need some help and asking for it. Once the legs start moving, you can just keep rolling along.

Until tomorrow...