Monday 24th May

Hello
Saturday :
Left Sango Sands holiday park Saturday morning and drove along the top of Scotland passing Loch Eriboll, Loch Hope, and Kyle of Tongue and arriving at Bettyhill to see the Strathnaver Museum.
I then drove on to Armadale and Strathy Point Lighthouse eventually stopping for the night at Melvich.
Sunday :
Great ride but nothing very exciting as the mist closed in making this the first day in Scotland where visibility blocked the view.
Arrived at our campsite at Dunnet Bay late afternoon and the mist cleared for a couple of hours giving me time to walk Murphy along the sandy bay.
When Simon arrived at the site he decided to ride out to Dunnet Head Lighthouse but after about 3 miles the weather changed to heavy rain so he turned back and returned to the campsite.
Monday :
Much better weather, sunny but a chilly wind.
Simon had already set off by 9.30, I set off at 11.00 and drove to Dunnet Head Lighthouse, Superb views across to the Orkneys and from the top viewpoint there was a 360 degree unobstructed view.
From there I stopped at "The Castle of Mey" Thurso, Caithness, the holiday home of the Queen Mother.
Just in time for the 1.40 tour, just 3 of us so we were able to have a good look around without being overcrowded.
Very surprised that much of the Queen Mothers posessions were within easy reach and could be touched.
Inside the front door where her Wellington Boots, Coat and Hat which I was able to pick up and examine, beside them was a photo of her wearing them.
The whole tour was fascinating with an insight to how her later life was lived, she loved picnics, playing cards, playing the piano, jigsaws, games and entertaining and buying Furniture and Crafts from the local area.
Princess Margaret often visited her mother at the castle but never spent a night there as she prefered the comfort of the Royal ship Brittania which moored at Scarfskerry.
Prince Charles still spends 1 week every year in the Castle.
The Gardens were a pleasure to walk around in fact Alan Titchmarst has it as his favourite Royal Garden.
This was a busy day as I still had to see John O Groats, the sun was shining brightly when I arrived and I had a good look around taking several Photo's.
Simon rang to say he had reached the next campsite at the town of Wick so I made my way there and met him at Tesco's car park, we did a shop and went to the campsite, had supper and settled down for the evening.
We are now on the downward stretch and Simon has to cycle on the busy main roads tomorrow.
All for now
Phil