Day 75 – Saturday August 6, 2011 | Watten to John O’Groats |
Seaview Hotel | Weather: Pt Cloudy |
Today’s Distance: 17.9 mi | Total Distance: 1218.0 mi |
Departed: 08:29 Arrived: 14:34 | Elevation Gain: 809 ft |
GPS Track: Day 75 |
I MADE IT!
I was off on my final day before 8:30, determined to enjoy the last 18 miles or so miles of my walk. The day started-out sunny as I passed Loch Watten, which is supposed to be a popular trout fishing spot, but there wasn’t a sole on the lake.
I walked a series of B roads and minor roads and soon found myself at the Aberdeen and Northern Livestock Market. The gentleman I talked to said that Monday is the start of the market for lambs and he expects them to fetch around £80 (per kilo?). I’ve really noticed how the lambs have grown in the past 11 weeks. He said there’s actually a shortage of lambs these days and they have to import them to meet demand. You couldn’t prove it by me. I can’t count the number of sheep I saw on this trip (or the number of times I stepped in sheep $#!+). As I passed-by fields of sheep I told them to run and hide, but they just stood there. Stupid Sheep!
I continued to walk through the “Great Plains of Scotland” and reflected on all the different sights I’ve seen on this trip and all the experiences I’ve had. As I passed one particular pasture, all the cows came down to the wall to say goodbye to me. Eventually I crested a hill and in front of me was the coast again. It was quite a sight and I could clearly see the Orkney Islands, which dominated the horizon, and in front the island of Stroma.
In the past Stroma had a population of about 550, which by 1901 had reduced to around 375. The population continued to decline through the 20th century, and the last two families left around 1962. Now it is owned by aCaithnessfarmer who uses it to graze sheep. The number of ruined houses shows how well populated the island was at one time. In the centre of the island is a church with a bell tower. Next to the church is the manse which is kept habitable for use by visiting shepherds, particularly at lambing time. There is also a walled graveyard with mausoleum, which is the tomb of the Kennedy family who owned the island in the 17th century. Stroma is now a conservation area with an area fenced off to protect the rare plants from the sheep.
I continued to follow Steve’s route until I came to the junction with the A836, which I followed along the coast until I hit the A99, at the end of which lies the community of John O’Groats. The town takes its name from Jan de Groot, a Dutchman who obtained a grant for the ferry from the Scottish mainland to Orkney, recently acquired from Norway, from King James IV in 1496. It is regarded as the most northerly settlement of mainland Great Britain. The actual most northerly point is nearby Dunnet Head. My objective was the signpost near the harbor that looks remarkably similar to the one inLand’s End. There were quite a few cyclists, bikers, and tourists milling around. I paid my £10.95 for the official photo (and a quick snapshot with my camera), went to the nearby café to sign the register, and it was over; 82 days and 1,218 miles later.
Tomorrow I take a taxi to Wick and fly to London for a few days while I tour around the city, then fly home on the 11th. Watch for an “After Action Report” a few days after I get home.
“Cheers”
Jack
Congratulations Jack! I’ve really enjoyed following your blog and it brought back many wonderful memories of 2010. I’ll be very interested to hear your “After Action Report” and your thoughts on how it feels now that your long journey is over. Enjoy your last few days in Blighty!
Cheers,
Steve
Thanks, Steve. It was your blog that helped me plan this whole thing. If you’ve ever got a spare 10 weeks in the spring or fall and want to hike the Arizona Trail, let me know.
Jack
CONGRATULATIONS, JACK!
We have enjoyed following your adventures. I know those of us in the WBCCI Arizona Unit will be anxiously awaiting your video presentation and talk.
Nancy and Tom Harrington
Thanks, Nancy and Tom. I’ll have something ready by the Yuma Rally in January.
Jack
Well done Jack!
From a selfish point of view, it’s a shame that you’ve finished. I’ve lost one of my daily walking fixes now – and I’ve been rather enjoying following your progress north. Look foward to reading your final thoughts after you get home though.
Have a good time in London!
Gayle (& Mick)
Thanks Gayle. You were a great help at just the right time. I’ll have something in the mail (post) for you when I get back home.
Jack
Congratulations. A remarkable journey and an excellent blog – which I shall miss.
Safe return home.
Brian
Thanks, Brian. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jack
Well Jack you have made it all the way from end to end. Sorry I could not connect with you by phone today to say congratulations but there will be time for celebration once your return. Chocolate Chip, Cookie and Chiquita (Jack’s furry little nephew and two nieces) may wonder who you are once we get together but take them to your bark park (also known as his back yard) and play ball with them I am sure they will remember.
Again congratulations
Jeff, Chocolate Chip, Cookie and Chiquita
Thanks for taking care of everything on the home front, Jeff.
Gromit, look that American chap made it all the way. Be a good sport and put on the pot and lets toast him proper with all little tea and Wensleydale cheeessseee Gromit.
Wallace
Cracking good!
Congratulations Jack Frost. I enjoyed every step of this journey with a bit of envy from time to time. Please please compile your pics into a DVD and send me a copy.
What is the next great adventure?
Daddy-O
Thanks, Rick. I missed your company. Nobody to laugh at my jokes except the sheep and cows. The next adventure looks like the 1,200 mile Pacific Northwest Trail from Glacier NP to the Pacific Ocean in 2013 (if the knees hold-up).
Jack
Well done Jack and thanks for the blog which brought back so many memories, it’s been a joy to follow, have a great time in London.
Cheers J.P.
Thanks, J.P.
Hey Bro,
Congratulations!!! you made it!
what can I say…oh boy! I can wait to have you home so we can go for a walks and play ball in the back yard. I often think what i’m going to do when i see you… jump, bark, bark jump…probably both things at the same time. I’ve been keeping an eye on Mom and Pop
they’re doing good; we’re all happy waiting for your return. Guess what? I took Lupe for a walk this morning, and I met a dog, Doxy/Wa Wa,Wa Wa face with a Doxy body, we exchanged a couple of words and keep on going. I can wait to have you home.
Bacon Frost
Jack,
Congrats on your finish. I have loved reading your blog, and im even more inspired to walk LEJOG sometime in the future (maybe next year, if my daft dog doesnt get better!). Have a great time in London and a safe journey home, i look forward to reading your after thoughts when you get home ( I notice you’re writing AFTER you leave the UK, hope your not writing anything bad about us)
Thanks for all you time writing the blog.
Thanks, Hannah. Everybody I met was very nice on this trip and very helpful. I really had a wonderful time. All the best to your dog, but I’m sure you will enjoy your walk when the opportunity arises.
Jack
Brilliant! Well done Jack – I’ve been enjoying following your progress. A great blog and a great walk! 🙂
Mark
Thanks, Mark. And thanks for providing such an informative website. It has become the “go to” place if someone is interested in an end-to-end.
Congratulations Jack,
A fantastic achievement. Thoroughly enjoyed your blog. All the best for whatever your next challenge is.
Regards,
Rich.
Thanks, Rich. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Congratulations, Jack. I’ve been without internet connection the past few days, and just saw your last posting. I especially want to thank you for being a trailblazer and updating me on all of the route-finding changes. You’ve made my task much easier. Enjoy a well-deserved rest, and have a safe trip home. I hear that things are unsettled right now in London, so stay in the pubs and far from the madding crowds.
Ken
Thanks, Ken. I’ve had WiFi, but I’ve been too busy touring London to connect. By now you have probably becomes friends with every golf ball sized rock on the WHW and can’t wait to Ft. William. Keep it up, it only gets better from there. If you ever want to do a little 800 miler some spring or fall, we’ve got the Arizona Trail here. Good luck, I’ll be following your progress.
Jack
Congratulations Jack!
Thank-you for maintaining your excellent blog.
Thanks, Gary. I couldn’t have done it without Wikipedia 🙂
Congratulations Jack! I have thoroughly enjoyed your account. Since Ken was folowing you by about 2 weeks, you gave me an idea of what he would be experiencing. Hope your trip home is safe.
Janet
Congrats!!! quite a journey!
Well done Jack, it has been interesting reading your comments. From Sue and Ray remember we met on Offa’s Dyke and have been following your adventures ever since.
Hi Sue, I was thinking about you and Ray the other day. How did you enjoy the concert? Did you ever finish Offa’s Dyke?
Hi Jack,
The concert was brilliant, such a contrast to the walk. As planned we finished the first half of OD in Knighton, but hope to carry on and finish it some time next year. Do you have your next trip planned yet?