Lejog day 33 Tain to Helmsdale
From Tain we have chosen to follow the coastal route to John O'Groats. Some people prefer to go inland from Tain to eventually meet the north coast and then turn right for John O'Groats. The reason they do this is to avoid the A9 which is unavoidable for coastal travellers like ourselves.
Our host at Tain had warned us that it would be busy and it was at times but the traffic seemed to come in waves; a constant flow followed by a lull. The lulls were beautiful.
We enjoyed a lovely hour when we diverted off the A9 and followed single track roads to the splendour of Loch Fleet which we rode alongside for several miles. This was too good to rush so we stopped to absorb the peace and tranquility and take in the magnificent view. At the same time we ate a banana and some chocolate.
Rosie eating a banana!
Then it was back to the A9 along which we cycled for the next twenty miles to Helmsdale where we're staying at another independent hostel.
Marie is the hostess. She's a keen cyclist herself and has done long distance routes mostly in the USA covering an average of about fifty miles a day, camping most nights.
One of the guests is Petra from Croatia but living in Germany. She's walking from Inverness to John O'Groats but has a day off tomorrow. She's wondering what to do with herself. We've had the same problem on our days off.
We had a takeaway meal tonight from Thyme and Plaice in Helmsdale. They only use local produce - meat pie, mash and veg for Rosie, haddock, chips and peas for me - all very tasty.
A shorter day tomorrow, only 22 miles, but a couple of big hills. We'll still be on the A9. Does this road go on forever?!
