Day 0: The journey up

After thinking and planning for about a year I was desperate just to get going. I'd decided on John o' Groats to Land's End rather than the more typical Land's End to John o' Groats, because logistically from Bristol, and solo and unsupported, it was going to be less complicated doing it that way around, even if it meant the likelihood of heading into the prevailing winds. It took me two days of train travel to get from Bristol to Thurso, with a very welcome overnight stop with my brother-in-law at his farm in the Borders.
For the end of the train journey I had pre-booked two luxuries: firstly a taxi from Thurso to John o' Groats (because I was getting in at 22.20); and secondly a glamping pod at the Seaview Hotel (rather than an extra night's bivvy). I was very glad of both. 
It was time to try and sleep in readiness for the grand départ. 

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