Not having made any plans for alternative transport, we decided to cycle at least to Wick and see what to do from there. It was a cloudy, grey and cold morning, although the wind was much easier now.

Once on the road, we didn't feel too bad after our day of no cycling. The scenery gradually got more interesting as we went further south. A stop for a hot drink and a bite in a café and to buy supplies in Wick and we decided to continue.

This road is the kind that likes to climb to the high ground then drop back down to sea level, only to climb back up again. Some of the climbs are long and stiff. However, there are some long descents and stretches of relatively easy riding in between to compensate. Traffic wasn't too bad either, even when the road joined the A9. There was also good mountain scenery to admire again.

After the steep descent into Berriedale there is an equally steep climb out. We stopped for lunch at the bottom, then pushed the bike up it! As we walked up, Linda kept herself amused by counting the salt bins at the side of the road, only to lose count when she'd got past 40! Some miles later there was another descent into Helmsdale which heralded the end of the worst of the hills. From here on it was much more gentle, following the coast quite closely much of the time.

We rolled into Brora and found a lovely B&B right by the harbour next to the beach.