Bad start to the day as we had a 1pm deadline for getting to John O’Groats, so we asked the hotel for an early breakfast, but the best they could do was 7.30am, so we did the bikes and the luggage first, but as cooked breakfast didn’t arrive till 8.10am we were half an hour late leaving. Critical really, as we were then half an hour late arriving in JOG! After the rain squalls of yesterday and Friday night in Inverness, today was bright and sunny for most of our ride.

The first 20 miles, though, were like Cornwall and Devon all over again, we just couldn’t believe the hills! Louise kept rambling on about cycling in Norfolk (obviously hallucinating!). Despite the steep hills Martin, Louise and I all managed though I wouldn't mind betting Abbie’s not too sorry to have missed this leg! The big hills stopped at Reay, where Jenny Gregory, a very kind deaf lady, had promised us tea and she delivered .. along with chocolate too! Priceless and this certainly revived us for the last 30 odd miles. We then passed Dounreay power station, some lovely coastline and had a final 40 mph freewheel into Thurso with some great views of the Orkneys. There were a couple of blips when our main chain came off again, Hammie says we’ve totally knackered it! Two local cyclists joined us for the last 15 miles, so we had company for the final stretch.

Rogni (short for Rognivald, old Viking name) and Linda Brown, who live half a mile from John O’Groats, and are parents of a friend of ours, Kirsten, an Usher lady from Aberdeen, who was also there, gave us a great welcome with a huge DBS “Well Done” poster in front of the car park, but we were going so fast, we cycled straight past them. Felt bad about that, but then they all came down to the front for numerous pictures of us all. By then, the sun had gone and the wind was back in earnest, so it was very cold. Dot was so well wrapped up, I didn’t even know who she was at first. Then we moved back to their ‘welcome’ sign and had more pictures there, before going into the hotel for a slap-up meal with Rogni, Linda and Kirsten. Rogni had also organised showers and rooms for us to change, but we ran out of time, so didn’t use them. Rogni also kindly paid for the dinner for us all, so was a terrific host for a very fitting End Of The Road Lunch.

Must mention again how great Drena and Hammie were – they kept us all safe and were brilliant company throughout the trip. Between them, they did most of the cycling too, but do have to say that Drena led exactly the opposite of a charmed life - every time, she took her turn cycling, it was raining (Inverness), very windy (Lairg to Altnaharra) or very hilly (like first thing today) – poor lady! But she bore it like a trooper and, between them, they helped to make one of my dreams become reality and I will be forever grateful for that.

It was great we had Dot to help out too, as without her we would have been stuck, as the van was only a three seater. Hammie and Drena were able to drop Martin off at Inverness station, for him to get the train back to London, and then they started their long drive back to Glasgow, while we headed for Aberdeen with Dot, eventually arriving home at 11pm, to find all 3 of our children waiting up to congratulate us, give me some great Father's Day gifts including some Rocky Road which Myfanwy had made especially. The eating hasn't stopped just yet!

I do feel sad that it’s over, as it’s been non-stop for 2 weeks and everyone has been so kind the whole way with their hospitality, time, money, support, attendance at parties and friendship. It’s been an adventure!