Day15: Inverness - Brora (62 miles)

We set off in the rain feeling good after a restful sleep and a great brekkie. We cycled over three picturesque bridges (Kessock, Cromarty, Dornoch) and the scenery was fabulous. We stopped off in Evelix for a warming cup of tea and met another 2 end-to-enders who (supported) were cycling for the injured soldiers of Afghanistan. We also met Joyce and Margaret who donated.

We decided to stay off the A9 as much as possible, so we made a detour to Evanton to have a cup of tea. Much to our surprise, we met Fathead and Pinhead. We shared our accommodation in Sennen with them and also started out on the same day. Those guys were cycling for Multiple Sclerosis Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. They stood out as they both had colourful mohicans in their cycle helmets. They had planned to do the ride in 16 days, one less than us, so were a bit suprised to see them. They were with a bunch of lads doing the ride in 10 days with some VERY expensive looking bikes and a support minibus.......with spare bikes in! We were all a bit soaked and so we invaded one pub where the boys had arranged hot drinks and cakes and kindly invited us to join them.

They came from Inverness and the Central Belt, so were raising money for charities in those areas and had raised over £20000!!!! Well doen them. As they departed, they said: -
"see you at the finish?"
"What time will you be there?"
"About 2 o'clock"
"You'll no' be seeing us at 2, more like 6 for us"

I lifted one of their bikes......weighed about the same as my right shoe.
"It's a bit heavy 'cause it has full water bottles on it" was a remark
"Riiiiiiggghht. I thought it felt a bit wieghty to me"

We left all the boys and lunched across at Invergordon in THE cafe. Not much choice here apart from, eat here or don't eat!

We had a pretty flat day today so it was easier and enjoyable for it. We arrived in Brora and had dinner with Helen (my beautiful fiancee, as I'm instructed to call her)who had come down from her parents house in Reiss, 3 miles north of Wick.

We stayed at the Sutherland Inn at Brora and, as we arrived, we got talking to Lesley, a waitress arriving for work, who donated. Helen then took the majority of our luggage as tomorrow is our last day!