West End Hotel Kirkwall

... the A99 along the East coast stopping occasionally to take a photo or two. I got to John O'Groats around 3pm and there was not much going on, just a few cyclists coming in from their Lands End trip and having their photos taken around the famous sign post. I sneaked a picture of the sign while the man wasn't watching and then headed off to the Stacks of Duncansby just about 2 miles from John O'Groats for a few more pictures.

There can't be many people who've started their John O'Groats to Land's End journey (JOGLE for the uninitiated) by spending the night before heading to the start at an '80s party with two Adam Ants, Batman and Batwoman, Freddie Mercury, a Rubik's cube and a Falklands battleship! Thanks to the RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue team for the best party in a garage that I've ever been to!

Getting to John O'Groats is a ...

... sacred space that just messes with him. My favorite part was the choir and organ. The choir is in the middle of the church with a baptistry chapel behind. Separating the two is the organ in a lucious, Victorian Neo-Gothic box. The keyboard is on the right of the choir, behind the basses and they use the mirror method for communication between director and organist. (You know, St. Paul’s Sweeties, we could make a hell of a noise in that place.)
Heads up, London ...

... which was probably the most amazing scenery all day. The area around Loch Ness (no sign of Nessie, though we had a good look from the ruined but still pretty Urquhart Castle on the banks of the Loch) is also very pretty, though with less rugged mountain peaks. Loch Ness is one of the larger lakes and you can sail through it now, though you'll have to navigate the Locks, but luckily all the bridges over the waters swing now (interesting to watch ...

Rousay is a small island just a few miles north of Mainland, Orkney. It has been called the "Egypt of the North" because of the large number of prehistoric sites found on the island. Only about 200 people call the Island their home, but it is a popular tourist site because of its archaeological importance. We visited just a few of the hundreds of sites on the island where even today most of the sites have yet to be excavated and researched by archaeologists.

... was occupied for about 600 years around 5,000 years ago. The site was found in the 1850's after a large storm had blown uncovered the tops of the ruins.

This small cluster of about 10 homes looks more like something a millionaire would make for his children as a play ground. The homes are built into the earth where they are sheltered from the wind and sea.

... as well. In all we had about 20 people aboard for the party.

One of the guests was a friend of mine from High School. She came with her childhood friend from Germany, whom I had never met before. After the cocktail party we invited anyone else to go clubbing with us in the wild town of Kirkwall. It ended being me and four women who went. It turned into a very fun evening. Several of the crew also showed up at the club after they had completed their duties.

YACHT ...

... past Sumburgh Head and out into The Hole as the 25 mile stretch of water between Shetland and Fair Isle is known. Fair Isle was invisible against the dark blue/black clouds ahead and in fact, this remained the case until we were two miles out, the Shetlands still being visible behind! By 16:30 , the cliffs and pinnacles at the north end of Fair Isle were becoming visible, as was the whiteness of the surf crashing against ...

... alle 10 siamo in reception per pagare 18 sterline per 3 notti. Il campeggio è buono ben curato, ma ancora in cantiere. Le maggiori attrazioni qui, sono Maes Howe, Scara Brae, la tomba delle acquile e poco altro. Per oggi ci accontentiamo di visitare tutta la parte ovest dell'isola, passiamo ai Ring of Brogdar e Ring of Stennes, cerchi di pietre impressionanti, il primo con una circonferenza grandissima, il secondo ...

... burial ground and a souvenir shop (not of dead bodies). Next, we visited an old (2500 BCE) village. That was very cool. We gazed at the stone circle from the road. By this time, it was getting very windy. The return trip on the boat was much more rough and cold. At first, Mum and I went below to stay work. Soon, a lot of people, and a dog, began to get sick. The ...