Lands End to John O Groats 1871

[John Little]

My wife and I are planning to amble by bike the length of the country next year.

That's the plan anyway.

But doing research for it I came across this;

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usebooks/naylor-johnogroats/15.html

The description of the barber of Wick is fantastic.

It deserves some aspiring local writer to work it up into a play - I wonder if the area still has such characters?

[Duncansby]

I wonder if the area still has such characters?

There are still plenty characters in Caithness ;)

[shazzap]

I liked reading this. Some interesting words. Froots, footsore and quadrupeds.

[Fran]

I have come across some interesting and strange people with amazing stories who have done the end to end, including one lady who wrote a book about her experience which I still have. Met some who were on the fiddle too.I was a member of the Land s End John O Groats Association and worked as a journalist at the time. I could write a book of my own!!! At one time they all called into my house for a coffee en route. I had 24 young male Doctors here one time, and a load of soldiers another time. Also had mounty Joe who had to leave his horse tied up in my gaden, and another man who was doing the trip in a hospital trolley. Maybe I should write a book!!!

[poppett]

If not a book, Fran, you should have your own section on the org for your interesting musings. I miss Trinkie`s tales too.

[pat]

Fran
Fran - Go and get started writing.
Can remember Barbara Moore doing it and being escorted by Billy Butlin at the start, think he was sponsoring her and he was getting lots of publicity out of it.
Jimmy Saville, Ian Botham and many many others -
Now the end to enders are arriving or departing JOG every day, as you drive to Inverness there are so many folk walking, cycling or getting there someway or other. Wonder if they expect a huge welcome or send off.
Think it was one of the times Barbara Moore walked it was the middle of winter and lots of snow - can remember the snow but who exactly it was as I gave up watching it was too cold and miserable.
Here I get the folk doing the Butt/Barra or Barra/Butt - it is 150 miles but it all depends on the way the wind is going, usually folk do Barra to the Butt as that should be the wind direction in the summer, this year most of the winds have been from the north.
One male arrived with his wife, she did lots of cycling but he only ever did an occasional 15 miles, they were nearly at the end of their trip but he could not sit easily.
He asked if there was a cycle shop - lent him my gel seat cover and advised him to buy a proper full gel seat for next time he went cycling. Got a note with seat cover back, he could not beleive the difference the gel cover made, he could cycle in comfort.
So be prepared!

[oldmarine]

My wife and I are planning to amble by bike the length of the country next year.

That's the plan anyway.

But doing research for it I came across this;

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usebooks/naylor-johnogroats/15.html

The description of the barber of Wick is fantastic.

It deserves some aspiring local writer to work it up into a play - I wonder if the area still has such characters?

Didn't we have an Orger who made this trip before and reported it along the way?