Jez's Post-journey journey

No lack of sense of humour in the far North!

Thurso is a nice place. Quiet – well, less so that I had expected, but it was very tranquil. In this part of the world, it is hard not to let the scenery soften you a bit. The weather was shirt sleeves; dry, calm and, well, beach walking weather. The hotel was lovely, with a landlady who came from London… I think the joke that she was in witness protection up here wore a little thin by the time I left, but she made us feel welcome and fed us a cracking breakfast (and even donated a tenner).

Michael had already left by the time I had my breakfast, and by the time I was ready to catch the X99 back to Inverness, Peter and Carol came down. Goodbyes said, I trotted (or rather rumbled) back to the bus stop. No hiccups on the journey, which drove through the highlands instead of around them. We met up with the coast at Dunbeath and by midday I was back in Inverness.

X99 from Thurso to Inverness

I don’t really feel ‘post achievement blues’, but as I had an hour to kill I found myself wandering back to Costa for a latte… it is hard to believe that it was only yesterday that Michael and I worked on the blog together here. It is also a bit odd not posting ‘facebook’ updates too… though I intended to give those wavering about donating a bit of a nudge later. I nearly bought several tacky gift items (but didn’t), nearly bought a tartan pashmina for Dionne and Harri, my sister in law (but didn’t). I nearly bought some more whisky (but I can get it in Southampton, so didn’t). After my successful shopping trip (depending on your perspective) I went to catch the 10.

A poor photograph of the 10 to Aberdeen

As the last journey, it was very picturesque. I took some of the photographs I should have took last time we travelled the route. There was no car crash en-route. Nothing overturned in front of us. We reached Aberdeen just about smack on time. Now I had three hours to kill.


 Wetherspoons was heaving for some football match so I went ‘off piste’ and visited a different pub, where they served the food on a piece of slate. Nice touch, although the slate was all but inedible. I went shopping, again, and bought a bottle of water. I could get used to shopping.

With 30 minutes to spare (which would have annoyed Michael) I sat looking at a giant burgundy coach that is the Stagecoach MegaGold Sleeper. I think it’s running number is G9, and it had come from Inverness. Yes, I have already been told several times already, I could have booked the trip home from Inverness… but it would still have been this coach, so I hadn’t lost anything.

This service is pretty new, only having run a couple of months. Everyone else around me was very excited about it all – I was wondering what the onsies would be like as I had promised to take a photograph (aren’t they called ‘selfies’). We boarded. This coach is very nice indeed. Note I refer to it as a ‘coach’ and not as a ‘bus’. That is because to get it wrong would undo all the hard work getting on to a bussies level this week. It is not a scheduled bus service (which is why National Express – as nice people as they are – couldn’t count to the journey).

The seats downstairs were leather, with mahogany tables and cup holders… electric points and even complimentary refreshments! As a double decked coach, we were shown upstairs to the bunks. “Choose the bunk that suits you sir” said the host. Lovely. It is fairly cramped but good enough for sleeping on. As it was 21.00, I figured that we would sit downstairs until sleepy and then retire to our bunk. Its probably best I recount as it is still fresh.

“Can I go downstairs now?” I asked.

A confused look came over the steward… “No sir, you travel in the bed”.  

“But I am not sleepy and would like to sit up if I may”

“Well, you can’t until we are loaded and on our way”

“Okay, but I haven’t been sent to bed at 9pm since I was 12 years old”

“Alright, sir, why don’t you go down and make yourself comfortable while I settle the other passengers”.

I smiled and thanked him, made my way downstairs and chose a lovely forward facing chair with a generous table… though I expected others to come down too. It was only bloody 9 o’clock! Bear in mind, please, that this was done with no malice, and the steward was delightful, polite and a bit confused as to why I didn’t want to go to bed.

The MegaGold Sleeper - it was S9 service to London

We got to Dundee, and no one joined me. I was alone. I could sit downstairs wherever I liked. I chose to stay in one place and write this… I think I may have caused sufficient confusion for one evening:-)

At around 0030 I opted to give the bunk a go and although it was rather rocky managed to sleep until 0500, in time to see us approach and weave our way through London to Victoria Coach Station. Tired, stinky and in no mood for rush hour London I made my way across to Waterloo and readied myself for my last journey home.

As if a fitting end to the journey, the train departed some 30 minutes late. So we got across and up the country between the furthest point on mainland UK, on buses, generally on time. But one train!!

I was met at Southampton by a rather excited little girl, her nurses and Dionne, my wife, bearing cupcakes (as promised). Not sure Cariad was so enamoured with her stick of rock from John O'Groats though.

Finally, from me: the truth about the case handle that came with us? Well, as pictures say so much more than words:

1st class travel home for the case handle...

 

Day 8: People we met

Come on, it’s the far north of the UK… surely there is no one left to meet?!

The most wonderful people, of course, were there to cheer us in, take photographs (and buy us a coffee… and tea:-). Here is a photograph of Peter and Carol at the north pole… no, sorry, as John O’Groats signpost. And they definitely deserve to be there with us!

As always, with two cantankerous and chatty blokes, we met some other people during the day. The two most notable were the driver of the 80 (the wiggle bus, as I called it). Sadly we didn’t get a photograph of him. He was from Nottingham.

The other person was the funny (if opinionated) manager of the Pentland Lodge Guesthouse, Lisa. She refused to have her picture taken, but the hotel is very lovely if anyone is thinking of holidaying in Thurso.

I think they are both in some kind of witness protection!

Day 8: Inverness to John O'Groats

Stagecoach 58 to Inverness

Here it is. The last day. The last couple of buses… Would John O’Groats be privatised? Would we be allowed to have a photograph? The mood was tense.

Actually it was fairly relaxed. Michael needed a map so, catching the 5 into town again we did a bit of searching around. Then found the bus station… and went for a coffee. 0940 was the departure time and we boarded on the X99 ready to go.

This has to go down as one of the most stunning bus journeys in the UK. Gorgeous. We sat at the front (to get a better view) – and what a view. With running commentary of a local I failed to see seals and was told all about the Cromarty Bridge as we crossed it. ‘Wended’ is a word that I have used a few times, but surely it was meant for this journey.

Stagecoach X99 to Scribster...

Things are a touch more relaxed on the Highland buses. At each stop (or hint of a stop) one older gentleman was up and ready, cigarette in hand to disembark and smoke it. As there were no toilets on board, we stopped in Dornoch for a toilet (and another cigarette break for the old guy.) Me, well I took photographs… just as Michael regaled his family history in Exeter this was my chance for revenge. Soon I was spotting Mowat names on memorials and even a print and copy shop. Michael said that I was “a spelling mistake”… though to be fair, he is too!

We changed buses at Dunbeath, on board the X97, as the X99 didn’t go to John O’Groats. All well, the journey this time got flatter and more straight forward – although we had to drive up and down a couple of mountains before it flattened out.

Stagecoach X97... the one that would get us to John O'Groats

I have been here before, Caithness is a pretty wild place. I cannot use the term ‘desolate’ as there is plenty of life up here, but it is an untamed place.

 

We entered John O’Groats, the town and got off some 500 metres or so before the attraction that is the sign and shops. ‘Great, let me just post that we have arrived’… nope… let’s try again. No. Facebook had clearly had a melt down with the sheer number of people following us today. Actually, that may be a little big headed, but it was’t working – proof positive that while the buses were reliable in getting us from Lands End to John O’Groats, Facebook couldn’t quite hack it.

So, singing our choice of radio songs to ourselves… “I would walk 500 metres”, the wheelie case complaint just a little more and we were there. Peter and Carol had arrived first and snapped away at our triumphant entrance. Well, we walked past them in any case, laughing about where the sign may be and would we have to pay to get near it. Thankfully, it isn’t off limits and we had a number of photographs before going for another coffee break and taking a look at the most tacky gifts in the gift shop for the families.

We dunnit...

And that, ladies, gentlemen and everyone else is that. Lands End to John O’Groats (via Ipswich) by bus was completed.

Our last journey was ahead of us, but I felt the wheelie case could do with a rest before the wheels fell off – so it went into Peters car boot. Silently, we walked to the bus stop and caught our last ‘official’ LEJOG bus. The Stagecoach 80 service is a slightly older style of coach; manual shift and creaky. However, the driver kept us well informed of every sight (and every new house that was being built)! This was a village bus. So much of getting to John O'Groats has been focused on getting buses from A to B.  This was a bus that went via C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J and K en-route to B, so we found ourselves bouncing up single track roads to a collection of three or four houses and turning round. We picked up a lady walking her dogs (although one was more the size of a sturdy Highland Cow!) and carried a mile or so back home.  We passed the drivers house – which he pointed out and saw views across Dunnet Bay as we came to Thurso. Very much a bus for the community rather than a straight A to B route and pleasing to see some of the community were out using it.  The driver helpfully dropped us outside the wrong B & B – but there are so many places around here with Pentland in the name!

Stagecoach 80 - Not sure where it went, but the driver enjoyed it:-)

Looking at the figures it seems we have now reached in excess of £11,400 which is truly brilliant – it could even go as far as covering the fares we have paid!!! (only joking). Thank you to all who have contributed.. and those of you who meant to..  but will do so now to ease your conscious.

What next – well we will part our ways.  Jez will head back south whilst Michael will push on further!  Keep watching to make sure we get home!!

Oh, wait. would you like to know what happened to the case handle? Was the ASBO just too much for it - did it fling itself into the sea or has it now decided to go and live in a small communal group somewhere in the Highlands? Well, take a look...

 

 

Day 7: People we met

During the day, we weren't scheduled to meet anyone for PR and such-like... so we met the drivers:

Bruce... possibly the most courteous driver in the UK

David, our initial driver towards Inverness.

And in the evening, we weren't scheduled to meet anyone, so we had the fantastic surprise of meeting up with the Omnibus Directors, Peter and Carol Crichton:

Peter and Carol Crichton... our photographic team

Day 7 Part 2: Keith to Inverness

An alternative view of the Stagecoach 10

We exited Keith towards Elgin simply travelling and looking out of the window. We passed some 20 or so bonded warehouses belonging to Chivas Brothers – a bonded warehouse is where the whisky is stored, in wooden barrels for the years that it needs to age. They are easy to spot; they are (unless new) blackened by the evaporating whisky that leaches through the barrels (the Angels share). I was just explaining this exceptionally interesting and useful process to Michael when we stopped. And we waited – ahead were three stationary trucks and, ahead of them, flashing blue lights. Not again – was this a random spot check to ensure that no unlicenced travellers were making their way north? Nope, an accident… the police cordoned off the road with (very helpful) ‘SLOW’ signs… nice touch! Another bus pulled up behind us, and those who could turned around did and escaped.

Traffic!

The driver was informed that it would only be about half an hour… but after that time had gone it was time to stretch my legs (and see if I could get a photograph of the bonded warehouse… After another ten minutes, the driver joined me on the road, and then Michael and the drivers in the bus behind (which was running empty to Elgin). Much fun ensued – we put a case to the driver that technically he could take a break and press on to Inverness (I will let Michael explain that in a mo). He told us ‘where to get off’, and we had banter about such things as starting a new ‘busway’ using the disused railway track nearby.


 

An unexpected passenger

I think the highlight was seeing one of the vehicles involved in the accident eventually coming down the road. A pick-up truck that looked too new to have a great dent in its side….. And, as it came towards and then alongside us something seemed a bit odd: it was driving diagonally – the front pointing towards the grass verge and the back towards the centre of the road. The driver promptly said “That looks like a crab” and made a joke out of the window; understandably the car driver ignored!

The accident took an hour to clear in the end… but we didn’t mind. We retook our seats and were off towards Elgin again… albeit an hour behind.

We realised, in discussion with the driver, that there could be a problem ahead. This may get a bit complicated but I will try to explain. The bus we were on was the 1300 from Aberdeen to Inverness. The driver of this bus changed in Elgin at 1524 with a new driver taking over to drive to Inverness. When we got caught our driver contacted the supervisor in Elgin - so he was aware of the problem and try to minimise the disruption to passengers.

At this time of day the 10 runs an hourly service, so if any bus was missing it could be a 2 hour gap, which would not be good for those waiting.  The supervisor therefore had to decide what to do.

The first action was to find a spare bus and to give that to the driver who was supposed to take over at 1524 and to get him to start from Elgin on time. That way any passengers on the way to Inverness would not realise there was a problem.

The driver of our bus from Aberdeen and with whom we were stuck waiting was due to come off the bus at 1524, have an hours break and then take over the bus behind at 1624 and take that to Inverness. There are rules that dictate how long bus drivers can drive and also when they should have breaks. Once we got moving it was obvious we were going to be almost an hour late arriving just before 1624… the time our driver should be coming back from his break not starting (and he needed a minimum of 45 minutes). What we realised is we could arrive into Elgin and there would be no one to take over our bus or the 1624 departure! 

Replacement Stagecoach 10 to Inverness

When we arrived in Elgin all became clear. The supervisor had also realised there would be a problem – but he had a solution.  The passengers on our bus would transfer onto the 1624 bus behind, which as our driver could not drive it due to needing a break, so to ensure it was not cancelled or delay he decided he would have to drive it himself.  Having not driven that day he did not have any issues with drivers hours. He might have thought he was finishing about four o’clock, but now it would be more like eight. 

What was so impressive from a fly on the wall perspective was how well it was handled. Given the late running caused by the accident the actions taken minimised the disruption for every passenger on both journeys. Full credit to the Stagecoach Supervisor at Elgin – First Class job!

We arrived on the outskirts of Inverness a fair amount later than planned, although it was meant to be an early finish for the day in readiness for the final push to John O’Groats. We settled our stuff in the hotel and caught yet another bus into Inverness for the evening… they have a Wetherspoons you know.

Stagecoach 5 to Inverness

Being early, we had a beer before ordering food. I was reflecting on what had been and what would come tomorrow and suggested we order. “Not without us you don’t”, came the response from behind me. Peter and Carol Crichton had driven up to be our support and photographers when we reached the end tomorrow! Now, how many companies have Directors who do such things… Omnibus is a very special company.

So our early evening turned a little larger and we eventually got to our rooms at about 23:30. What a nice surprise and what a good day tomorrow is going to be.







Final leg of the journey tomorrow. Not that many people will want to get up here to join us for the last bit, but here is the plan anyway:

08:55 – Depart Inverness on Stagecoach (5A)

09:07 – Arrive at the centre of Inverness

09:40 – Depart Inverness on Stagecoach (X99)

13:02 – Arrive at John O’Groats

Day 7 Part 1: Dundee to Keith

 

Sorry, there is really no purpose to use this photograph, other than to demonstrate that in the last week the only person that I found to be taller and, well, more statuesque than Mr Michael Meilton – my travelling buddy (or should that be ‘my travelling bussy’) is made of bronze and… in fact… a statue.

I have more photographs like that… here is one:

But this blog is recording our journey, so here we go. Dundee. Slightly grey and not that early. We head for the bus station to catch the Stagecoach X7, Coastal Rider. All on time and ship shape.



Stagecoach X7 to Aberdeen

We were the first boarding and – not satisfied with the photo I took on the stand I figured ‘arty’ wins the day as proof and took some of the scenery. Here are some:


I am biased. My roots are in Scotland (remember). It was the most beautiful journey. Sea on the right and fields (and a few hills I suppose – give that this is east coast Scotland) on the left. Stagecoach bus driver Bruce was probably one of the nicest, most courteous bus drivers so far on this journey. Mr Souter (Mr Stagecoach for those unfamiliar with the bus industry) – please note and put this guy up for an award! This guy was fantastic to everyone that came and went on this bus! How do I know? I was sat right at the front behind the driver.

Everyone was pretty peaceful on the journey and other than noting that it was very well patronised for a Sunday morning, everything went according to plan. So we ended up with an hour to kill in Aberdeen… so we went for a coffee and a proper muffin.

It's very important to pack your rucksack right

Stagecoach 10 to Inverness

Silly photographs allowing, we connected with the 10 well. Another coach style bus (I am very impressed with how Stagecoach actually think about what type of vehicle each service needs rather than how many seats they can achieve… makes travelling much more enjoyable). We boarded and assumed our new favourite positions – one to the left and one behind the driver. Thinking about this, we had our wonderful ‘Privilege Passes’ (and on First Bus our golden ‘VIP Passes) so each driver must have thought we were inspectors! I had a number of raised eyebrows using these cards… not that I enjoy putting other people under pressure… Of course!!

Driver David (as we found out later) was good and we were making really good progress. I tried evesdropping but other than one passenger being lovely to another less abled passenger (Debbie, you know who you are and you made that young mans day just talking to him!) there is nothing particularly funny or meaningful to report.

The journey was nearly as beautiful as the first. We glided through the towns all the way to Keith (it’s a town… yes I know it’s also a persons name) where the lad got off the bus as happy as Larry. Things then went a bit wrong.

Day 6: People we have met

As we progress further north, organised PR has dried up. So we have had to get a little more creative about things.

There is only one mention today:

For the sake of any impending prosecution we have decapitated them. The case handle, with its ASBO within the realms of the Lake District, has no comment to make.

Day 6 Part 2: Carlisle to Dundee

The X95 is a L O N G route running from Carlisle through the Borders to Edinburgh. Over three and a half hours and it must be 100 miles, mainly through open countryside. Whilst First did provide a modern vehicle it was more of a bus than a coach – as our knees will testify. Michael in particular (despite being under height for his weight) managed to get himself wedged in many uncomfortable positions during the trip.  A tad more leg room would have made it so much better…. Plus heaters that could be turned off… and passengers who could live with the concept of having a window open.

First Bus X95 (the uncomfy bus)

Scottish borders v1.0

That said it was a glorious ride with the highlights of Crossing into Scotland – and to prove it a photo of the sign was taken.  To be honest we thought we had entered a while before that when I took a photo of a sign which we thought was the border.. so one photo must be in the right place.

The X95 takes in Hawick, Selkirk and Galashiels before heading north (going in the right direction now we are) towards Edinburgh.  Galashiels is a scottish borders town with a population of around 13,000 which lost its’ train service thanks to Dr Beeching.  It is now getting it back thanks to Alex Salmon! As we went north you could see all the work being done to rebuild a railway where it was 50 years ago!!!  Major earthworks that, had it been a motorway, would have caused uproar. We mused that when they did a very similar exercise in Cambridgeshire they didn’t put a train back, but built the Cambridge Busway – which if you have been keeping up was around Thursday lunchtime (Before Wetherspoons in Peterborough – another name check Tim – worth something in the pot!!)

Scottish borders v2.0... probably the real one

Why not the Galashiels Busway – running through fields with no obvious housing. We felt there were many similarities that if it worked in one place could work in the other!  As it is, come summer 2015, a new 30 mile branch line will re-open in Scotland.. and Dr Beeching will turn in his grave!

Onward into Edinburgh… in search of a tram… but none were seen – only the tracks they leave behind.  Hey – are they missing a trick – why not send the Edinburgh tram to Galashiels?

Stagecoach X54 to Dundee

Arriving at Edinburgh, we had kept all our connections and so awarded ourselves with a coffee and a wee. Not wishing to spend 20p at the bus station for the convenience, we opted instead for the nearby coffee house, where we spend £4 for a couple of coffees but had our wee for free!. The convenience of it all was a little limited though – Michael only gave me 8 minutes to do both! Then it was back to the bus station to catch the X54 onward to Dundee.  This was a coach – leather seats, a little worn but comfortable and a power point and wifi… although the power point didn’t work.  Michael muttered legroom, but he always does!  An enjoyable rumble around the delights of the Forth Bridge, Dunfermline and Glenrothes. Being from a family with roots in Scotland (Howat is not an English name eh!) I love being in and around Scotland. However, darkness and mist descended once again – and I have to say this may not have been a bad thing!

During the journey, another choice piece of earwigging was to be had – apart from the domestic behind us! The best was two guys in front of me (who had perhaps a little too good a time in Glenrothes). Man 1 to Man 2: “I was brought up a gentleman. I wear trousers… you can wear whatever you like, but I wear trousers!” Man 2 to Man 1; “Yeah, I wear trousers and shoes!”. Man 1 back to Man 2, “Yup, me too… trousers and shoes. It’s the way I was brought up!”

A moment of clarity? The real Forth Bridge

Priceless.

Over the Tay Bridge the mist cleared and we arrived in Dundee – as per our plan.  Hotel found and into… That is right Tim... another evening in Wetherspoons… although we notice in Scotland they do not let you set up a tab!  (But they still serve food until 11pm). Tomorrow is easier going, but we will have another breakfast box to keep us company… mental note to find the location of Gregg’s!

As a bit of an aside; one thing that has amazed us is how many people are reading this blog – and where!  Greetings to our followers in Rwanda. Is there anyone out there further away than that – if so get in touch.  As for donations I am sure we will accept anything – even Kuwaiti Dinars!

Day 6 Part 1: Lancaster to Carlisle

Car crashes! Police raids! Numbus Bumus! Hang on tight as todays journey sees us enter Scotland and screech to a halt at Dundee.

OK, that could be just me trying to spice up a rather uneventful day of travelling. However, all these things really did happen as we sat on the North of England and Scotlands finest.

Stagecoach 555 to Keswick

It wasn’t a particularly early start for us this morning – 07:30 out the door to catch the 08:20 Stagecoach 555 from Lancaster into the Lakes to Keswick. Given that the students partied hard nearby the hotel until after 02:00 (I know, I was writing blog and playing with our radio broadcast!), I tried to make as much noise as possible as I trundled down the cobbled streets to the bus station. LEJOG off-road wheelie case it very good at making noise! Whilst it would have given me great pleasure in saying that we did not need to frequent a Gregg’s for the whole journey (apart from  a bottle of water in Winchester) we queued at the door… a queue of 2… Michael and I… as we really had little faith in the ‘Breakfast Box’ that we were given at the hotel. 0800 then bolts were flung back and in we went!

Stash in hand we headed for the bus… in the knowledge that if things went to plan we would hardly be off a bus until we got to Edinburgh over 8 hours later. This would either need strong bladders or answered prayers!

The 555 route from Lancaster up to Keswick has the potential to be very enjoyable. It was a double decker – we had the front seats and it goes via Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere.. or at least I think that is what emerged from the murk.  The weather was wet… and misty.  Some say there are hills around.. to us it is was either lashing rain against the windows or white mist.  There was the odd glimpse of water but not much more.

  



"These breakfast....                             boxes are...                                      quite tricky!

Despite the rather foul weather it was pleasing to see all the Open Top buses running around, albeit with very few passengers. The option to get off and sample one crossed our minds.. but the thought did not linger long.  Whilst we could not see much around us – we could see the road ahead.. for a few hundred yards, which was fortunate as we turned a corner just before Windermere to find a car in the road – on its roof. Skilfully we avoided this obstruction and continued – as scheduled – leaving others to await the arrival of the emergency services. The loadings on this journey were quite good – which shows that true British ramblers will go out rambling whatever the weather.

Stagecoach X4 to Penrith

Time keeping today was very good and we arrived in Keswick only a couple of minutes late and in time to catch our X4 coach to Penrith.
We set off on a coach type bus – they use coaches up here for bus transport often. Very shortly after, we picked up a couple of ramblers and were then promptly held at the stop whilst a policeman boarded chatted to someone and walked up and down the aisle looking for something. He got off and we continued out of Keswick.

We were then stopped again by the same policeman, who this time removed a man and his luggage from the side locker, hand cuffed him and began to ask him questions and rummage through his belongings. The other passengers were suitably nosy and a few stood up to get a better view. It all unfolded just outside from where Michael and I were sitting, so we didn’t need to move – I even got a photo (before receiving a stern look from both policeman and his prey!) We briefly hatched a plan to step off the bus and get a photo with the case handle… you know, one for the album, but resisted due to our commitment to actually completing the journey!

Suspect apprehended, we departed and motored on to Penrith. Surprisingly we were only 5 minutes late and made our connection to Carlisle, Stagecoach 104 with a loo trip for Michael whilst the other passengers boarded first (after all we are gentlemen)!. A very efficient and quick service, it got us to Carlisle Station in plenty of time to ‘get it out’ and make First Bus X95.

Stagecoach 104 to Carlisle

One curious note, we got to talking about the film rights to our journey (surely it is going to be sold for vast profit sooner or later). We both decided that I should be played by Euan McGregor though I look perhaps a lot more like James Martin (there are photo’s of us both stood together to prove it, but he can’t dance and I have reservations about his acting ability). Michael was a bit trickier… I must confess I have come up with some disparaging suggestions but the choices are currently Harrison Ford, Richard Gere or Steve Martin. Mr Mango was a clear choice of Matt Lucas (although I expect the great Mango would want to play himself). Other parts have yet to be decided, although the Stig would make a great Cornish driver.

An easy itinerary tomorrow – there aren’t that many buses up here so services tend to be a bit more straight forward… and bladder control won’t be such a balancing act!!

09: 40 – Depart Dundee on Stagecoach (X7)

12:01 – Arrive in Aberdeen

13:00 – Depart Aberdeen on Stagecoach (10)

16:46 – Arrive in Inverness – Retail Park

16:48 – You know, it might be nice to go for a walk… use the ol’ legs once again!.... but around a Retail Park in Inverness at 1648 on a Sunday?...... Who know what we will find?