Day 98 - Dornoch to Golspie - 15.5 miles

I left Dornoch, walking North alongside the golf links...the world famous Royal Dornoch Golf Club. 

On the way, I dropped into the an artists gallery in a lovely garden - now I think I could be inspired there!!

I'm not sure about the Swiss flag but that might be an indication of the price of properties overlooking the fairway.

I spoke to somebody over breakfast who told me this Saturday was a competition day for players with a handicap of 5 or under.
They all had a good idea of what they were doing so  though the trail zig-zagged across the course,  while keeping a weather eye I seemed to be in no imminent danger from errant hooks or slices!

It was a perfect..... perfect day - milky sunshine and a mild following breeze. Ideal for walking!

The cheerful sounds of oystercatchers all the way along the beach.

I've been seeing a lot of these -

I assume Peacock butterflies but not sure. They always seem to park with their wings together.

In a hedgerow, my bird app identified the call of a Greater Whitethroat and then 

on the wire a White wagtail - though difficult to tell in silhouette.

On the shore of Loch Fleet, I met this every contented family

and a little further on, beneath the remains of Skelbo castle, I sat and had my picnic lunch

while watching a seal relaxing in the rising tide.

I met Moira who was waiting to have a picnic with her family.

Moira is from Inverness but has often worked further north advising small businesses in Sutherland and Caithness. She and her family used to holiday in Bettyhill but because of the popularity of the ' North Coast 500' tourist route, this year they'll be looking for something quiet and heading inland from Helmsdale.

Loch Fleet is superb!

I met Maarten from Antwerp.

He'd walked the West Highland Way a few years ago so this year decided to wild camp along the John o'Groats trail. He was taking a break in the shade and was starting to look for a pitch for the evening.

To cross the head of the Loch at 'The Mound', walking on the A9 is unavoidable. On the approach there was a separate footpath on the map and a signpost but this being mid Summer and everything growing like topsy,

I'd have needed a scythe to cut my way through! So walking on the A9 was the only solution. Walking has made me very aware of the speed at which cars travel and the horrible tearing noise of wide tyres on tarmac.

Safely across, the trail turned into the forest where I met two walkers who'd stopped and were picking ticks off their clothing.

These were first ticks I'd consciously seen. Though I had seen them previously on dogs  - the size of matchheads, these were much smaller and very difficult to spot. The walkers warned of the forest of bracken at the bottom of the hill -

apparently a favourite lair of ticks. I heeded their advice and o er my walking shorts, despite the warmth, I donned my waterproof trousers and tucked them into my socks - not a Beau Brummel image but when needs must!?!

Once through the bracken, the trailwent through a number of cattle fields and overhead I identified the call of Ospreys.

On the other side of the railway, there was beautiful arable land with a rather Hopper-ish feel to this barn.

I'm not someone who listens to music while walking - preferring to listen to the natural sounds around but for some unknown reason as I walked through Balblair Wood

I decided  to listen to the Goldberg Variations - appropriate and wonderful!

Then on to the beach

for the final stretch to Golspie where I met Iain Sutherland in his 1935 Austin Light 8.- who also confirmed that I'd arrived in Sutherland.

 He'd parked up and was about to enjoy his al fresco fish supper so I didn't keep him talking long.

In the background we could hear much roaring and cheering from the football pitch. Golspie were playing a team from Caithness and it was all even as they went to penalties. Golspie losing on the last kick of the match. Quite thirst inducing!!

I headed for the Golspie Hotel. What a superb day! I didn't stop smiling. 

Total distance walked so far = 1199.2 miles

Total ascent so far = 133 112 feet

If you'd like to leave a comment, correct me on any detail or just nudge, it'd be great to hear from you. If initially it comes up as Anonymous, please just add your name at the bottom so I can see who it's from.

email: david.LL.thomas@gmail.com

mob: 07850109100

If you'd like to contribute to any or all of the three great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.

- Parkinsons UK   - My dad had Parkinsons in his latter years and the research work this charity funds and the support it provides to patients and their families is invaluable. - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-thomas215

- Just Wheels UK  - this is a small charity set up to provide wheelchairs in a rural community in Tanzania. It does this through funding training, education and the local fabrication and servicing of bespoke wheelchairs. My nephew uses a wheelchair and as he grows I can see the life changing freedoms that proper wheelchairs can bring to both users and their families.- 

 https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900002H35TDAAZ

- RNLI   - these are the brave guys who selflessly head out to sea to help others. I volunteer at Littlehampton RNLI shop and often meet families of those who’ve had first hand experience of their loved ones being saved from the sea. Having sailed for years I can say thankfully we’ve never had to call on the RNLI's services but it’s amazing what it does to know they are there 

https://www.justgiving.com/