Day 76 Helmsdale to Dunbeath

We left at 9.00 and stayed with the A9 - so far the road has not had major ups and downs, but today there was a lot of climbing, making it the third most climby day of the trip so far.

Higher hills mad for more extensive views, and the sun came out. Although I still have a cough and blocked up nose, today was the first day since inverness when I felt I was actually enjoying the walking again, rather than just surviving it.

An interesting reflection on different types of fitness... I tend not to think that I am any fitter at the end of a trip like this than at the beginning - certainly I do not find long days any easier. However, today Simon found the walk quite challenging, whereas, though glad to arrive, I just found it your average walking day. Simon goes to the gym regularly (I have never been to one) and hardly drinks. I am fitter than I think I am. Of course 10 days ago I was walking with cousin Hugh - now he is properly fit!

Our route took us down steep hills into Berriedale, where we hoped there might be a tea-room. There was, and it was perfectly placed 9.5 miles into the journey. It was warm enough to sit in the sun for an hour and have a very nice snack lunch - much better than the expected bought sandwich in a bus shelter.

Once in Dunbeath we stocked up at the local store (self-catered breakfast tomorrow),, before going to the 'coastal retreat, which is a small park of pods - very nicely done indeed. One of the nicest of all places I have stayed.

Shower and snooze and then we took up the on-site pizza option and ate them in my pod.

I wrote yesterday's blog, but left today's until the following morning, as we planned a latish start.

15.81 miles today, 199.37 this trip, 1180.0 since Land's End. The sun is out and it is a short day today.