Day 78, Melvich to Thurso.

We set off very early from Melvich for today’s long walk to Thurso. It was full waterproofs on as the forecast rain had well and truly set in. After a short uphill walk we crossed the impressive Halladale Bridge and then continued to ascend out onto open moorland. Today the rain was bouncing off the roads! It wasn’t long before we saw a sign for Caithness, our final county.

The next landmark was a view of Dounreay Nuclear Power Station. Kevin has spent a few days working there in the past. It didn’t take him quite so long to travel to the venue for those days! A short while later we came to the very pretty Reay Church. This was built in 1736 and is one of the most northerly churches on the Scottish mainland.

We noticed on today’s journey that the windfarms had definitely returned. There were also quite a few signs saying people thought there were enough now! The land has also returned to much more forestry and also alot of farming both arable and pastoral. The fields looked lovely and green in the afternoon’s sunshine. A real highlight of today has been that, just when we were both feeling tired, we came across Our Wee Shop. Lovely homemade cake and a cool drink were just what we needed! Later, we  even saw a sign for Janet’s very own town. Now we’re in Thurso, the main town in the area.

Just twenty three miles to John O’Groats now! We’re doing fifteen miles tomorrow and the remainder on Saturday 6th August. This is so as we don’t arrive too late in JOG and can enjoy some celebrations. Fingers crossed!