A day in transit 

0601. The 19 to Waverley, a couple of breakfast muffins at the golden arches and onto the 0648 to Stirling. 3 mins at Stirling and we were onto the Inverness train. A sunny morning. 
Another 3 minute turnaround at Inversnecky and another 4 and a bit hours of winding north through strath and across desolate moorland to turn up in Wick.

A meet and greet with esteemed blipper MReid who took pity on us and shepherded us off to Wickers World (via Martha Terrace, Wick's equivalent of imindoors wall at Salamander St) for much needed tea and cakes. Then to the Black Stairs and a bomb site and the good castle.  The boys were delighted to burn off energy under the withering gaze of the Staxigoe locals. 

We were then very kindly chauffeured to Gills Bay via Tesco and onto the Pentalina.

A flat calm crossing in the fading light followed by the 40 minute trudge past Robertsons and the surprise party that was going on and into the dappled moonlight.

A minor mishap with the keys but the fire was lit, the beds made and shortly after the boys took themselves out upstairs whilst I contemplated a nightcap... 

Thanks MReid for the hospitality and lift; hope to see you again soon.