Orcadian for a day!

We got the ferry at 9am  from John O'Groats to South Ronaldsay Island, Orkney.   We went across with only our bikes.  What a gorgeous day, best yet.  It actually got pleasantly warm (I wouldn't say hot).  The sky was blue and the sea was a deep blue that you rarely see.  At every point on our cycling trip we could see the sea, the harbours,Íslands and especially the beaches, they were magical.  I'm not normally this gushing with language but I think we saw it all at it's best, especially in the best weather.  The photos will never do this justice.

There is a 'Churchill Barrier' in the background.  These barriers were constructed in the Second World War to protect the Navy that was based in Scapa Flow from a German attack from the East.  They linked three of the islands to the main island.

On the way to Kirkwall we stopped at the Italian Chapel that was built by Italian Prisoners of War from any items that were available.  See the photo below.

Kirkwall itself had a lovely narrow pedestrian shopping street.  We ate our sandwiches in the square outside the Cathedral and had a scone at a cafe that was a contender for Janice's scone of the year award.  The Cathedral was large, very old and interesting.  Normally my blogs are full of photos of churches, I haven't put many in so far this year, so to put matters right here is Kirkwall St Magnus Cathedral.

We also went for a tour of Scapa Whisky Distillery, of course the best bit is the tasting.  The other whisky made on the island is Highland Park which I think is a bit too peaty.  The Scapa was nice but not particularly distinctive.

Janice can't wait to get into the distillery!

Rain was forecast for later in the afternoon and clouds had started to gather, so we started our ride back towards the ferry even though we were a bit early.  We broke our journey just as it started to rain at a village called St Margaret's Hope.  We went into the Murray Arms for a drink (soft drink, in case you were thinking we had a problem!) whilst the worst of the rain passed.

We completed our ride totalling 50 miles of very undulating roads.  On our return we had a chippy tea from the van at John O'Groats and then took the van back to Duncansby Head which is our favourite position so far for wild camping.

What a great day it's been.  I couldn't have expected a better day of weather and cycling.  This is what it's all about.