It will be the final day of their long and arduous trek. It will be a happy day, hopefully with a
lot of good memories of the days before and a great sense of achievement and determination will be driving them on to complete
what is a mere remaining 54 of 1000+ miles.
The day begins in Helmsdale, on Scotland's far north eastern coast. Helmsdale, despite it's small
population and land size, is famous for a number of reasons. A large pottery industry is in full-swing here and many of the
locals see it as either a hobby or a full-time means of income; the 27th Helmsdale & Highland Games will be held here
in mid-August (unfortunately, our cyclists will miss it) as well as posessing it's own neat sized harbour, which although
not used to a great extent, is held to great significance by the locals.
They depart Helmsdale, heading directly northwards, following the A9, passing through Newport. Newport
owes its very existence to a one-off ferry crossing from a place once called Seamylnes, across the firth in the early 12th
century. It boasts a two mile strech of the Tay Bridge which is impressive when viewed on a clear day. The small Fifean town
used to rely heavily on the import and export opportunties offered by the Tay, with a small harbour being built in the mid-nineteenth
century.
Thomas and Andrena, surely tiring, will continue to follow the A9 and will pass Latheron (30 km).
At Latheron, the A9 becomes the A99, where they pass the village of Brunan around halfway. This village has one of the steepest
hills they wil come across during their 14 day endeavour, such was the advice from a fellow cop from the town of Wick, which
is a little further along the road. Wick is the last town Thomas and Andrena will pass before they reach their coveted goal.
Wick, despite its small size, features a small airport to the north. It decends from Viking times and even its name stems
from the Norse 'vik', meaning 'bay'. In the 1800s, it posessed Europe's busiest and most profitable herring port. Wick, situated
along the banks of a river of the same name, now enjoy's great tranquility and everything you would expect from a northern
scottish town.
The A99 continues northwards until it terminates at John O'Groats.
And so, 54 miles for the day and 1000+ miles in total, Thomas and Andrena will breathe a sigh of
relief as they finally see the sign 'Welcome to John O'Groats' - Britain's official most northerly site. This destination
will see the close of what is undoubtedly one of Britain's most gruelling charity attempts. Aches, pains and memories
of a few burst tyres will be quashed by the thought that they have between them, raised over £5000 for DiabetesUK and furthermore,
will be DRIVEN back to the central belt. I doubt either of the team will want to ride a bike for the rest of their lives,
which will be all the healthier after this incredible journey!
Land's End to John O'Groats is complete.
