We free wheeled 25km to the lighthouse at Duncansby, riding on what the Shipping Forcast would call a fresh breeze. As any cyclist knows this can be a desperate battle if you are bucking the trend so our return journey to Dunnet Head B&B was less than pleasant. For some reason Sue has not taken comfort in the theory that going slow is good in a head wind since the power is proportional to velocity cubed. The solution is just go slow or eat more cakes!
Our route out was punctuated by a visit to the Castle of Mey (well actually just to the tea shop) this was rescued by the late Queen Mother in 1952 and restored to something resembling former glory. It got us musing over Royal Projects that we have encountered in Thailand which act to help local people. Surely a regular royal appearance at the Castle of Mey for the public and tourists would help to boost the local economy or perhaps a Corgi owners conventions! As I tucked into my Queen Mother cake it the occurred to me that they could do something along the lines of the Cream O' Galloway farm we visited last month. They had cuddle a lamb session for a few quid, surely the Castle of Mey could have hug a royal baby time to increase tourism in the area. There would be security issues but I am sure G4S could sort it!
I proceeded to complete a customer satisfaction form in which I explained at great length that cyclists needed reassurance that they could go the wrong way on their one way system and more signage was needed. I think I have been away too long!
We popped in to the Storehouse Cafe for lunch at John O'Groats where Sue made the profound comment that this has been more of a good food trip than a cycle tour.
We took the essential John O'Groats pictures before completing our north coast experience at Duncansby lighthouse.
On our windy return we paused back in Mey because Tuesday is market day in the village hall and they were serving tea and cake! Sue then made her final and more serious suggestion that they should put all the hand produced crafts (produced locally) we saw in the village hall up for sale in the Castle shop as well as the expensive products more usual in this type of gift shop - this would be an excellent Royal Project.
We returned to the warm welcome from Vivian and Ashe at the B&B and tucked into a fisherman's pie before bed - tomorrow is a big day.
Figures:
Distance:- 47.4 km
Cycle Time:- 3 hours 23 minutes
Average speed:- 13.9 kph
Total Distance:- 2906 km
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