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John O'Groats to Land's End - 1989
August 2nd - John O'Groats to Helmsdale (56 miles)
This was a killer, although it started quietly enough, covered in Scotch
mist and with a mild breeze. We got to Wick for brunch, having found
the 17 miles rather boring, then the fun began. The road climbed, we
tried to - and the wind tried to stop us. It was now a stiff breeze and
getting stronger. The skies cleared so we could now see the
surrounding countryside in all its glorious monotony. We struggled on
to Latheron, where there was a man in a van dispensing rolls. Then on
to Dunbeath - a glorious spot and the first real hill (1 in 9). Now the
road was really hilly and the wind was really strong. Ten miles still to
go, starving hungry, nasty headwind and for starters - a 1 in 8 hill one
mile long. We thought we'd never get to Helmsdale, but eventually we
arrived at the Youth Hostel at 6.30pm. We were too exhausted to fend
for ourselves, so we had dinner in a cafe. NEXT
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