Cycling distance 55.6miles
Average speed 12.66mph
Having read other peoples account of this day and the remote scenery encountered, it helped to shift my tired body out of bed and onto the bike for the penultimate day.
After a breakfast served by the disciplinarian b+b owner, we set on our way from bonar bridge along the Kyle of Sutherland through Invershin to Lairg 10 miles away. As we arrived in Lairg, Nick did his good samaritan part by spotting a dog in the layby and then ringing the owner who had posted a lost poster at the local garage - aaah sweet!
From there we made our way north in the overcast but warm conditions onto the A836 and the single track road that suited the lack of traffic we were to encounter throughout the day. For the first time in a while we were cycling in almost total silence through heathland reminiscent of rural Devon.
Arrived in Althurra expecting a pub for lunch but instead found only a few houses. Ed had his turn for a problem with his back wheel with one of the spokes popping out. A temporary fix for the bike followed by some babybel, peanuts and scottish tablet (bought earlier at the co-op in bonar bridge), we then ploughed on towards our desination along the shores of Loch Naver and the gentle floodplain of the river of the same name. Great scenery but we started to struggle with energy for the last 10miles or so from the lack of a decent lunch.
Still, arrived in Bettyhill at the only hotel/ accomodation (not too distant from Faulty Towers) in the village at around 4.30 and settled in for a couple of games of pool and another early meal then bed ready for a welcome final but surreal push tomorrow to John O'Groats.
