Tag 72 - Start of the North Coast 500

Hey everyone!

Today we started the NC500 :)).

At the beginning, it was almost like a highway, but as we went further north, the road led more into nature.

The absolute highlight must be at the top of the island, where there is supposedly nothing else but land and coast.

On the way here, we passed some trucks carrying cut tree trunks. This somewhat destroyed the idea of the "untouched environment".

However, we remain optimistic that there is really a kind of paradise ahead of us.

We found a really nice place, which is only 20 miles away from the "Whaligoe Steps". These are hundreds of steps that zigzag up to a great viewpoint. We have them on the schedule for tomorrow - even if rain is forecasted :).

Today we went for a walk - first climbed some cliffs, then followed a small path above the cliffs. We are standing at an old harbor and apparently it is low tide at the moment.

There won't be much walking anymore, but it's really nice the way it is :).

Ok.... We were a bit premature with our blog entry today....... :D

Afterwards, we had something to eat and we sat there... Suddenly, we felt adventurous. We continued to the "Whaligoe Steps" and walked them. But in the guidebook it said that you have to take hundreds of stairs for a magnificent view. But the stairs didn't lead up, they led down! What awaits us there? On the way down, we met a local who told us the whole story of these stairs. Really friendly! But unfortunately, we only understood half of it :). But we understood that in the past, the fishing boats docked there and all the goods were carried up and into the next village (8 miles away) in woven baskets by their women.

After the history lesson, we walked down and looked around. It was nice, but not what we expected. We walked up the stairs (slightly more than 300 steps) again and just for fun, we took a longer route than necessary. That's where the promised view was! And it was really amazing to see! The huge cliffs and in the middle a waterfall. Even though we didn't really have to walk down, it was definitely worth it and the exercise was good for us :). On the way back to the camper, David (the local from earlier) spotted us and invited us into his house. There he showed us an ancient picture of the steps and his grandfather's fishing boat.

After another history lesson, we went back to the camper and continued to "John o' Groats". This will definitely be today's destination. Here we are supposed to have a high chance of observing seals. We will stay here for two or three days for sure. We also have a great spot here! Right by the sea, in the middle of a sheep pasture. Earlier, we went to the beach and already spotted a seal in the water! But since it's really cold and windy now, we quickly turned back - we still have plenty of time :)).

Now we're relaxing a bit in the camper, apparently with internet reception, and switching our gaze between the sea and the sheep :).

Oh, and since about 20 miles, we are actually on the untouched road that we dreamed of :)). (Including sheep on the road :D)

So, probably see you tomorrow ;)