Day 2 cont. To Helmsdale 42.25miles 84 total.

Today involved the steepest, sustained climbing of the whole trip (with hindsight!) - there were two hefty climbs - which also means some excellent downhills too - and (fortunately) finished with a downhill swoop into Helmsdale.  

Day 2 over - 84 miles covered. Lost so far: my pencil case with travel watercolour brushes and fineliners inside. Water bottle - lovely stainless steel one. Purse with all the usual inside (drivers licence, rail pass, library card, credit and debit cards and many misc. store cards. But all can be replaced. I have phone and online banking - with couple debit cards on the phone. We are getting into the swing of it - Mabli will now jump into her carriage - albeit reluctantly - and she communicates VERY clearly that she doesnt like it. Weather has been cool, blustery, showery - ok for cycling in, apart from very heavy showers, or a headwind. The flowers have been glorious: foxgloves, Scottish thistles, orchids, buttercups, honeysuckle, bog cotton etc. etc. Seen lots of sheep, cattle, goats, - and my first couple highland coos! And i'm now away oot of Caithness and into Sutherland. The everchanging sea is at my left, and we've stopped to explore a couple of interesting places - including the ancient (Neolithic) and mysterious grey cairns of Camster. I had to crawl inside one on my hands and knees. Mabli is coloured red, from jumping in numerous peaty ditches to wallow. She has run about 25 - 30 miles so far? Along the quieter roads. I was on the very busy A9 for a large part today - very busy with campervans, motorbikes and people travelling the N500. Update: pencil case found - on the path going down to the road from the pods - by Gabs' son ('the boy', as she calls him!). She's going to post it to Edinburgh for me to collect. Waterbottle not found, but I defo didn't pack it. Probably kicked under the bed, so I told her to look there, and keep it as a gift. - rather lovely stainless steel Zero Waste one.  And she DID find it there and was very happy with it.  

I was rather anxious before the last big climb as I only had 2 bars of power on the bike battery left.  So I paused at the bottom of this hill, to visit Berriedale Beach - a little stroll past some quaint cottages and over a wobbly suspension bridge that had a sign up warning not to loiter.  Mabli was brave and positively jaunty crossing this - perhaps because she's getting accustomed to being rolled about in the bike trailer?!  Lovely little pebbly beach and worth a visit.  

Phew - it WAS all down hill, so made it to the Belgrave Arms Hotel with just enough battery power... we're both settled in to a very cosy room - full scottish breakfast ordered for the next morning! Going to have a shower - then i think a pint will be well deserved: I'm exhausted, at the end of day 2.  ​