There's gold in them thar hills...

...but not on the A9 which I have been walking all day.  Yawn!  The views were ok sometimes, to be fair, but not that inspiring after the recent scenery.

A9 Entering Helmsdale

12 miles today from Brora to Helmsdale near Scottish Gold Rush area.  I'm sorry dear readers but there really is not much to say about the walk; there may have been more had I looked for it but it was busy on the road at times with cars screaming by.  I didn't even have the heart to play my "Count the Cars" game it was so busy.

View over Helmsdale - A cheery sight after the road walk

If you'd like to see a Google Earth view in 3D - click here (no glasses required!)
Tomorrow I can afford a day off before the final push so will stay in a small pub/hotel this evening and spend the day in Helmsdale tomorrow, maybe even pan for some gold!

I know there is some gold in thar somewhere!

Thanks for your comments all, they've given me a laugh and helped keep my spirits up.

Back on Wednesday, xx

The land of the midnight sun

Hi All.

Before we get going I just want to say a quick "Happy Birthday" to my Grandson Charlie who was 5 on Sunday.  "Happy Birthday Charlie"

So 18 miles from Dornoch to Brora on Sunday.  The first part of the walk was on single track road out of Dornoch and around Loch Fleet. 

The Beach at Brora

I started thinking of my friend Alan the Fish (guess what he does for a living) when I saw lots of his favourite mammals, seals, basking on the sands.

Seals dreaming of fish for dinner. Cheers Alan!

The walk took me past Dunrobin Castle - looks like something from Shrek. Come to think of it Shrek has a Scottish accent doesn't he?

Dunrobin Castle
Quote from the movie;  Shrek[observing a giant building]
"That must be Lord Farquaad's castle... Do you think he's maybe compensating for something?"

I also visited a Broch on the beach south of Strathsteven - now that was incredible.

Cairn Liath Broch - also known as Strathsteven Broch
(click on the pic for more info)

I'm camped at a very basic campsite at Brora and tomorrow I'm off to the Gold Rush area of Scotland.

Before I go though there is something I have been meaning to mention on the blog.  That is it has never really got dark at night in this part of the world, ok it is not really sunny but even at midnight it is still quite light.  I've taken to sleeping with my woollen hat pulled down over my eyes.