The Train to Thurso

After finding it right across the street, we had to run over and get one last good coffee at Bad Girls before we left Inverness. While we were there we might as well get a sticky bun...make it two.

And off we go to Thurso, to the most northern train station in the UK.

It started out in farmland and, with the exception of the rolling hills, reminded me a lot of the American Midwest - miles and miles of hay and cattle plus sheep everywhere you could stick them.

The hills started getting steeper and the water started moving in 

We saw this Italian cruise ship in water that seemed to shallow to accommodate it.

Up in this area is the Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage site designated the largest expanse of blanket bog in Europe covering 1500 square miles. The pictures didn't turn out but this gives you a hint of the start.

 

The ocean waves from the North Sea began to move in as we got closer to Thurso.

Thinking we had a little time before arriving Mike got up to use the Gents Toilet.

But about the time he left, the train stopped at Thurso and disboarded. And the train took off again. And still no Mike. Fortunately we were able to take the quick trip over to Wick and come back. (Since we have a pass for the month, it cost nothing extra.) The young fellow who took our tickets told us the train would stay there an hour before heading back and he would look after our luggage. We wandered around a bit and came across this park by the river with interesting story 

We got back to Thurso in time to take the six minute bus trip on up the coast to Scrabster. Right across the street from the bus stop were the major influences of the community nestled next to each other - the bank and the church 

We got to The Ferry Inn in time to unpack and have dinner at their restaurant overlooking the harbor.

Note this next boat. It goes out to do all kinds of special surveys with that big yellow platform on the left. Look up more about it. The Ivero Survey boat.

Dinner was excellent. Not sure where the Brits got such a bad rep. I had a fish pie which was kind of like a chicken pot pie but with flaky puff

pastry and Mike had baked haddock.

We both really enjoyed the warm leek salad - never had anything like it.

Tomorrow we are up early to catch

 the ferry over to Orkney Island to

 wander around three different kind

s of ruins and see Scapa Flow. It is the coldest and windiest place around. 

We plan on three layers of protection

 each!