Day one hundred and thirty six - John O'Groats to Glimps Holm

 13th July.

Another wet start to the day but then it dried up and the cloud thinned allowing the sun an occasional appearance.

The ferry was almost full and, as the wind had dropped overnight, it was a quick, smooth crossing to Burwick where a fleet of buses was waiting to take everyone to Kirkwall or on Island tours.

Leaving me and a guy who had just spent the last thirty days cycling from Lands End and was going to stay with a friend in Kirkwall before taking the ferry back to Aberdeen.

The road to Saint Margaret's Hope was almost empty. Good cattle farming land, silage cut, slurry spread. Views of the sea on all sides.

I went into the first pub/restaurant that appeared, a mistake, overpriced and not very good soup, a cup of tea and away. 

Saint Margaret's Hope 

At the top of the road there was a food shed/burger van that wasn't open when I turned off for the village I'm sure it would have been better.

An increase in road traffic from here onwards as a car ferry goes to Saint Margaret's Hope.

Across Churchill Barrier number four which joins South Ronaldsay to Burray. A big area of sand dunes has built up on the east side of this barrier and it now looks like a natural feature.

Burray Village 

When I got to Burray village there was a debate about going on to the Italian Chapel to try and see it before closing time, which the half of me that thought it was a better idea to wait and have a good look in the morning, won.

This was a good excuse to go to the hotel for tea and scones, excellent decision.

A bit further along the road was the Fossil and Heritage Center which I had time to visit.

Old Acetylene generator 

A very interesting place with some good fossils and rock samples as well as fascinating stuff about Scapa Flow, the Navy and the Churchill Barriers.

Across the next Barrier, number three, where the remains of some of the old block ships are visible.

Found a spot to camp at the north end of Glimps Holm.

The weather was much better 

13.5 miles walked 250 meters ascent.