Wednesday, 12/07/2017 Weather: Mainly sunny, getting cloudier in the afternoon In the evening I would have to go out to Hatston with a special shuttle bus linking the ferry to Aberdeen with Kirkwall and Stromness. So I had decided that this day would be dedicated to have a closer look at Kirkwall. I started with … Continue reading Day 84: Last reward day on Orkney
Day 83: Second reward day on Orkney
Tuesday, 11/07/2017 Weather: Sunny Having already worked out yesterday that the bus connections wouldn't suit my needs I had decided on a different approach. In the morning I took the bus to Stromness and hired a bike for the day. For the circular tour I had in mind this was a sensible choice. My first … Continue reading Day 83: Second reward day on Orkney
First résumé
The bare numbers don't tell much: 81 days, thereof 3 walking-free, 2260 km or 1404 miles, roughly 55565 m or 182300 ft of ascent. Was it the challenge I expected it to be? The answer depends a bit on the aspect concerned and the time in the walk, but overall it's more a "no". The … Continue reading First résumé
Day 82: First reward day on Orkney
Monday, 10/07/2017 Weather: Cloudy, rare drops of rain as wellas sunny periods As the ferry terminal isn't located in Thurso but in Scrabster and I wasn't willing to walk along a perhaps busy A road to get there I had already decided that I would take a taxi. Like that I was dropped off directly … Continue reading Day 82: First reward day on Orkney
Day 81: Thurso – John O’Groats
Sunday, 09/07/2017 Distance: 35,3 km (21,9 mi) for a total of 2260,6 km (1404,6 mi) Ascent (ca.): 210 m (690 ft) Weather: Overcast in the morning, brightening in the afternoon So, this was it. With a pickup time agreed I calculated some buffer to make sure that I'd made it to JOG when the taxi … Continue reading Day 81: Thurso – John O’Groats
Day 80: Melvich – Thurso
Saturday, 08/07/2017 Distance: 27,1 km (16,8 mi) for a total of 2225,3 km (1382,7 mi) Ascent (ca.): 270 m (885 ft) Weather: Overcast, sunny spells in the late morning, followed by showers I guess my eating habits are not the only thing I have to readjust back home but also my day rhythm, there's usually … Continue reading Day 80: Melvich – Thurso
Day 79: Bettyhill – Melvich
Friday, 07/07/2017 Distance: 22,2 km (13,8 mi) for a total of 2198,2 km (1365,9 mi) Ascent (ca.): 385 m (1265 ft) Weather: Mostly overcast, especially around noon with sunny spells This was going to be a shorter day, mainly for two reasons. First, I wanted to enjoy breakfast in my accommodation in Bettyhill which would … Continue reading Day 79: Bettyhill – Melvich
Day 78: Altnaharra – Bettyhill
Thursday, 06/07/2017 Distance: 35,5 km (22,1 mi) for a total of 2176 km (1352,1 mi) Ascent (ca.): 285 m (935 ft) Weather: Rain in the morning, drying in the afternoon This was going to be another long day on tarmac, but in the end I would have reached the north coast which would finally give … Continue reading Day 78: Altnaharra – Bettyhill
Day 77: Lairg – Altnaharra
Wednesday, 05/07/2017 Distance: 38,3 km (23,8 mi) for a total of 2140,5 km (1330 mi) Ascent (ca.): 300 m (985 ft) Weather: Mainly sunny and warm, wind picking up in the evening before dying down again This day was only about heading north. I took the road out of Lairg which offered some last views … Continue reading Day 77: Lairg – Altnaharra
Day 76: The Schoolhouse – Lairg
Tuesday, 04/07/2017 Distance: 32,3 km (20,1 mi) for a total of 2102,2 km (1306,2 mi) Ascent (ca.): 400 m (1310 ft) Weather: Cloudy, prolonged sunny spells From the number of cars I had heard passing the bothy last evening I had already assumed that the track to Oykel Bridge would be very walkable. Nevertheless I … Continue reading Day 76: The Schoolhouse – Lairg
Off for a Hike 