Day 79A In John o'Groats

(Sorry if an aborted version of this appeared earlier)

It was strange to be getting breakfast done with no deadline. We eventually walked down to the sign-post at about 9.30. Obligatory photos and a couple of videos for the charities.

The weather was glorious, which will leave lovely visual memories of today. It was definitely a good decision to have a rest/admin day here before the journey home

Back to the hotel and I did a couple of hours work on social media and emails trying to maximise sponsorship.

After a snack lunch, we walked up to Duncansby Head, which is fact the furthest point away from Land's End, but does not make a good focal point because there is only a lighthouse - and great views - there. Dunnet Head is the furthest point north, but that is 15 or so miles west so actually nearer Land's End.

It was amusing that I was tired after a 4 mile walk!

As this will be the final blog, a few reflections.

Very glad to have done it, but glad it is done.

It was harder than I thought.

There we three sections where illness/exhaustion meant I had to return later to fill the gap (Highbridge, Ludlow and three days near Loch Lomond). I thought this was going to happen again last week, as the cold/cough was getting a grip - I think I was very lucky to be able to keep going.

11 people walked with me - thank you - Emma and Quentin Rayner, Heather Darwin, my son Ben, my sister Jill, Jane Mortimore, Nigel Pursey, Peter Garrood - for bits of days; and Owen Goodspeed, Simon Moore (here for the end) and cousin Hugh Turner for several each - Hugh doing the most. Thanks also to al those kind people on the early stages of the trip who put me up.

Places where he accommodation was exemplary and I want to give a special mention

Porthtowan Airbnb (though no longer seems to be marketed)

Hotel at Tebay services (Tebay services are often voted best services in UK)

Uplawmoor Hotel (nearish Glasgow)

Orchy Bank House, Dalmally

Whitebridge Hotel, Whitebridge (up from Loch Ness)

Arcasaid Guest House, Lybster - gets the over-all prize!

This is quite weighted towards Scotland, but most of the really poor ones, incuding the very bottom two, were north of th ande border too!

Things I least enjoyed on the trip:

Footpaths that we on the map in England but were not there is reality (this was not a problem in Scotland as the footpaths - and even cycleways - are not on the maps anyway.)

Trying to do up zips

Having the world's worst cold for nearly all of the final 17 day walk.

The crushing disappointment of having to abandon the trip on Day 31 - though I now realise that my initial schedule was over-stretching me and I would have gone under at some point, with or without the foot injury. (And, no, the foot injury never returned)

Things I most enjoyed on the trip

Walking on my own

Walking with companions

Scenery - especially Cornwall, Shropshire, Liverpool and surroundings, Loch Lomond (though it nearly did for me, and one section took three attempts to conquer!), the Great Glen and the paths above Loch Ness.

Successful planning of travel, accommodation, couriers etc

Sleeping well for long hours!

Taking my socks off at the end of each day.

Final stats 79 walking days, and (slightly rounded down) 240 miles for this trip and 1220 miles all told.

Pleasingly, the sponsorship total passed £20,000 today - with all the charities pushing it in the next few days - maybe it might make £25K?

Though I may do an eventually update about the sponsorship, this will be the

last blog.

Thank you for following!