Up on Thursday morning to TaiChi.
Breakfast. Full.
Pack.
Ride off in a light drizzle.
First stop was St. Magnus cathedral in Kirkwall. Nice place, with a “famous Canadian” Dr. John Rae, buried there.
Rain was coming down harder, so walked over to the Wireless Museum. A cute place. Worth a visit even in the dry 🙂
I then rode off towards Stromness and the ferry.
First stop was at the Standing Stones of Stenness.
Next the Ness of Brodgar.
Then onto the Ring of Brodgar.
By now the rain was coming down hard. Or as the guide mentioned, “This is unusual. Normally the rain would be horizontal.” hahaha
Rode onto Stromness, where there was a mini-festival, despite the rain. The very heavy rain.
Sorted out the ferry, then strolled through the cute town to the museum. Well worth the walk.
Had a really nice lentil soup, and a sandwich……
on the way back to the ferry. Bit out of the way tea-shop. Where I started drying out a bit.
At the ferry met two bikers from Belgium. They were similarily impressed with the amount of rain.
Then onto the boat, and into the Magnus lounge for some fruit, espresso and a nap.
Awoke to find four Canadians from Brantford, sat nearby. They were touring prior to a friend’s wedding this weekend, on the mainland.
I then rode onto John O’Groats…..
where the rain and wind were persistent.
There was a big group of people, celebrating the one chap in shorts who had just completed a walk from Lands End. Fund raiser for SSAFA.
Rode on to my B&B, in the really heavy rain.
Sad to say my jacket is no longer waterproof 🙁 Made the ride really interesting. 10degC, windy, fading light, and raining heavily. Still, I have grown wiser, and it was less than an hour to my B&B.
Missed the B&B the first time. And the second time! But arrived AOK.
Marek was a super host. Helped with my dripping gear. And provided a late supper.
Went to bed dry, warm and well fed 🙂