As yesterday, much of our route today was on tarmac and we are wondering whether this is going to be the pattern on the JOG Trail! We left Conon Bridge on the busy A862, and then detoured through a woodland path, climbing high above the road, then followed quiet lanes before joining the B817 all the way to Alness. We stopped at a Garden Centre for coffee and cake. A good cycle route followed the road for the final part, which we appreciated, and much of the route ran parallel to the Cromarty Firth, which we glimpsed at intervals, whilst the road was edged with swathes of Rosebay Willowherb. We arrived early at our lodgings, enjoying time to relax before dinner.

A Backward Glance

There is a tangible excitement about this stage of our journey, our thoughts are gradually being drawn more and more to home – family and friends. A chap on a motorbike tooted a salute as he passed us, but I wasn’t quick enough to realise the significance and only stared blankly. People carrying heavy back packs walking in our direction in this part of the world are nearly all on the same mission. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve taken or why we’re doing it, I think it’s the taking part that most people connect with. There is solace in being crazy, people knowing we are crazy and that being crazy is OK. Life is crazy and home is the crazy journey that extends beyond John o’ Groats with all it’s ups and downs and daily encounters. Our walk today was mostly on cycle paths alongside busy roads. It made progress north much more enjoyable and safer than having to share corridors of travel with fast moving traffic. We had panoramic views across the Cromarty Firth for most the way, framed in purple flowers and tree branches alongside the roads we were on. We were informed by a local lady near the end of our trek that not cutting back grass and shrubs on road sides had been purposely adopted to encourage more natural flora diversity. Up here the sun probably doesn’t shine very often but the smiles and the time people have for each other certainly compensates. Can’t work out what excuse people have for being so happy in these remote northerly outposts: my attempts at spreading wholesome grumpiness is failing spectacularly. We both need haircuts! Carol, it’s the hair, mine it’s mainly the eyebrows.