Oh I still like to be beside the seaside!

Having made detailed enquiries on the web, and of the locals, dad was confident that we could negotiate most of today's walk to Helmsdale off the dreaded A9.

Off we capered across Brora golf course, a very pleasant links course right against the shore line, and for a good mile all was well. Those who have one of my little cards, may like to know that the photograph on the reverse was taken on Brora beach.

We climbed fences, forded streams, crossed railways, rode rapids, scrambled across boulders and scaled cliffs (admittedly small ones). We were marauded by oyster catchers and arctic terns, spat at by nesting seagulls, and given the most wonderful entertainment by a colony of seals, who having been disturbed from their sunbathing, returned to the sea and stayed with us, just yards from the beach for about a mile.

Approximately 6 miles into our day we came to a river flowing across the beach and into the sea. About 30' wide and 2' deep. The alternative was to climb a steep embankment on to the railway, cross a bridge, and climb down a vertical cliff edge. I looked at mum, mum looked at me and mutiny was in the air. As the tide was going out, mum suggested we take a break and wait to see if it got easier as the tide receded. After about half an hour, it did look as though we might be able to ford the river, using the myriad of stones just below the surface (these were why we didn't just take boots and socks off and paddle it). I suppose it was bound to happen sometime. On the Dynamic Duo went, of course I just had to get my feet wet. Anyway, mum slipped in first, and then just walked across, dad was doing quite well, then he went in too.

Lunch was taken up the hill, with socks drying on the walking poles, boot inners removed and placed alongside the boots to dry out. Of course this meant we got a decent lunch break, not the usual, chuck it down your throat and move on! And as mum said it could have been worse, it could be raining.

As it started to rain, the soggy insoles were put in the soggy boots, and the soggy socks were replaced  on the cold wet feet. Mmmmm. Of course dad was able to put on his spare pair of socks that he always carries!!

It was at this point that the decision was made to rejoin our old freind, the A9 and we completed the rest of our journey to Helmsdale relatively uneventfully, apart from the odd dive into the brushwood at the side of the road, to avoid being run over.

We are beginning to get people peeping at us now, which could be because they are telling us to get out of the way, but mum and I prefer to think it is a gesture of support and she waves back, gleefully.

Dad keeps saying things like "when we do this again......." Mum and I pretend we haven't heard him. It's not been a bad day, and our B&B has 4 collies, that keep putting their noses under our door and sniffing. It's very exciting.

Long slog up to Dunbeath tomorrow, all the way on the A9. Not looking forward to it. Please, please keep logging in every day, we need to know you're there.

M
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