Sunday 10th May 1998

Martin's snoring, and Sara's groans as she turned over - it must be that hard floor - were discussed as we woke up and dressed at the ungodly hour of 8am. We walked to the bus stop, where it promptly rained, so we took shelter in the ruins of Kirkwall Palace. Doug once again complained about the extra sleep he could have had if he had not been waiting for the bus.

Back at the small port, with weather now clear and bright although very windy, the boys had fun climbing what looked like huge concrete nuts ("I want one" cried Doug). The crossing - although a little more choppy than that of the previous morning - was still clear, with sunshine the whole way. Doug immediately reverted to Slovenia mode, adopted the horizontal position that had stood him in such good stead in February, and crashed out on the nearest part of the upper deck.

The team at the port of Orkney

Doug and Keith crashed out

Approaching John O' Groats

Once back on the mainland, we then decided to head along the coast to Duncansby Head, the most northerly point of the UK. There were some amazing views, equally amazing rock formations and the most enormous foghorn we had ever seen. "It looks like Ed's stereo!", said Doug.

Martin wandered off, camera in hand, in the direction of a set of standing stones in the distance, while Ed, Doug, Keith and Sara took turns at running down the hillside to see who could do the most realistic Julie Andrews impression.

We then made the long trip home, fortified by a big Sunday lunch in a pub in Wick. Doug did a sterling job of driving for five hours, although there were a few hair-raising moments with his overtaking. Just as Ed will not let himself be outdone by Doug in the water, it seems that Doug will not let himself be outdone by Martin behind the wheel.

Keith took over the driving for the stint from Edinburgh to Alnwick, then Doug took over again. Despite having already driven most of the way down from John O'Groats, he insisted on finishing the job. We arrived back in Buckinghamshire at about 3 o'clock on Monday morning, the great Northern adventure finally at its conclusion.

Join us in Bussum and Bologna!