ORKNEY ADVENTURES :: DAY NINE
HOMEWARD BOUND
Now the plan today was very simple, just head home. Easy peasy, well yes it should be but after the events of the last few days I was ready for anything. Woke at the B&B in Wick to find one, it was a fabulous day and two, there was a wonderful view over the harbour, and harbour entrance. Need to go back to get some pictures to do it justice.
Caught the 8.15 train and we soon reached Thurso, without any surprises. At Thurso there was a young lad with a bike exactly the same as Bumble. I went down to the cycle compartment to make sure he could fit his bike in. We discussed just how good and well designed the bikes are, like me he had had no problems with his. He was from Cambridge and had been on the road for 4 weeks, touring a lot of the Hebrides, North West coast of Scotland and had nipped over to the Orkneys.
I thought Bumble was heavily laden with 4 panniers and a large handlebar bag, he had the same panniers but white rather than my bright yellow ones and his were fuller still and he had bags on top of the rack, including a tent as well !! Did not ask how heavy it was but reckon he was not doing loads of miles every day.
The train reached Inverness on time with no dramas, and I know had a three hour break planned here. Inverness is a lovely little city, the capital of the Highlands. I had a wander around, taking photographs, like a tourist. I was rather glad I had not planned to cycle today as although it was a lovely sunny day there was a very strong wind whipping around. I walked up to Inverness Castle, now the Law Courts I think, and took both of todays posts from this vantage point. The shot above shows the River Ness, and St. Andrews cathedral with its twin towers sticking up above the trees. Had a nice leisurely lunch sat outside the pub across from the Castle.
Back to the station, train to Glasgow, nice stroll across the city centre to change stations, and the Virgin Intercity back to Warrington. My taxi, I was being lazy, was waiting outside and my Orkney Adventures were over. I was back into the world of traffic,traffic lights, roundabouts and people, lots of people.
Things I have learned today, it is possible to travel a long way without any dramas and near enough to time, and also that the Orkneys were a fabulous place to visit and that I need to return soon.
Another shot of Inverness in my other album.
http://365project.org/markp/Alternatively/16-05-2014
