It’s not a cockerel, it’s a pheasant and if I ever get my hands on him, I’m going to teach him about early morning crowing!!! Good morning everyone, I hope you’ve all slept well!!!

Breakfast in our room again this morning…well we’re checking out this morning so why not 🤣🤣🤣. Punctual again, they arrived at exactly 8am. This time there were two waiters, one with a tray and the other balancing 3 plates. A skill in itself!!

This morning, porridge for me, As they left, we eyed up our breakfast….porridge for both, black pudding, potato scone with mushrooms for Nisha. After yesterdays experience, we made sure we both had mixed fruits and a bowl of yoghurt. Quite easy to again give this breakfast a rating of 10 / 10. The breakfast was still top quality.

Breakfast eaten, time to shower, pack and check out and then onwards to Cromarty with a stop at Aviemore on the way.

Back in the A9 up towards Cromarty we go. The A9 is the same as the A1M - it takes you further North 🤣🤣🤣. Coming up to 45 minutes driving and the sign for Aviemore is displayed. Aviemore is a town within the Cairngorm National Parks. We exit and drive up towards the mountain railway. On the way, Nisha telephoned tourist information who inform us that the train to the tip is closed until August. Hey ho, we still drive to the tourist area. When we arrive we see signs that the whole place is being renovated but the facilities are open. Should we go in….no chance, the car park is empty…we turn around and park up. Now the views from up here are awesome…take a look…

It was absolutely freezing out there, a cold constant breeze…photos taken and back in to the warm car!!! We headed back down the 3 mile road and went to Aviemore town centre. This was deja vu, we had been here before, yep, five years ago and we passed the hotel where we had our first haggis neeps and tatties!!! We stopped at Tesco, got a few provisions, had a quick walk and look in a couple of camping shops (the whole street is full of such shops!!!). 15 minutes later and we were already fed up. Rather than have a coffee here, we decided to continue to Cromarty. Guess what…it was back on the A9!!!! 🤣🤣🤣. Sat nav said we were only 1 hour away. We passed river this and river that, too many rivers to remember, but all gave us a fantastic view while driving across the bridges. Could we swim in them?? Always a possibility but the undercurrents could be so dangerous!!! Eventually we turned right and off the A9 and onto a country Lane, just wide enough for two vehicles. I looked at the sat nav…still several miles to go…where on earth were we headed…the road didn’t seem to end, we slowed every now and then, overtook the odd camper van but always stayed within the speed limit (I kept up with the car in front 😜🤣😜🤣😜). The roads were very near to the coast but we weren’t sure where exactly we were. On we went and soon enough the sat nav said left, then right and finally - you’ve reached your destination. I looked at Nisha….why I hear you all ask…well, even before asked why, I asked Nisha where the hell are we??? This is why….

We parked up and went inside, luggage can wait, food was needed!!!

The waitress showed us to a table and gave us each a menu. For starters, scallops to share, for main, fillet of hake with cherry tomatoes and baby potatoes with a creamy sauce. Sides of red cabbage slaw and mixed vegetables. Starter rating was 6 / 10, reason was over cooked scallops, mains rating was 9 / 10, fillet was fresh but the mixed vegetables looked frozen. (Keep your pants on, until you’ve tasted this food, you have to go by what we rate the food 🤣🤣🤣😜😜😜).

Lunch was finished, no dessert, maybe later. We unloaded our luggage and took it to our room. Lovely room but there’s only a hand shower in the large bath and the bathroom window is transparent with only a net curtain stopping you from enjoying the view of the North Sea while doing your business!!!

After a couple of essential and emotional telephone calls, we went to explore the town. Along our route we came across several locals….it was at this stage when we realised that we were the only Indians in the town, actually, everyone else was white!!!! They had come from all across the UK and had decided to make Cromarty their home. we could see why but we’ve come across much better locations in Scotland!!!

The town is small and 30 minutes was all it took to walk the perimeter. Whilst on the shore, and looking at the sea, the sea lions and dolphins appeared to have better things to do rather than say hello to us 😜😜. The views are awesome…

As we neared the end of our walk, we stopped at the pier, the sun was shining, the view was lovely and Nisha whipped out her phone and the result…

My favourite!!!

We went back to the hotel and ordered some drinks to have in the conservatory…so sunny, so hot…we sat down…I can see why tomatoes like greenhouses!!!! We retired to the lounge, Guinness for me, white wine for madam….first round completed, Guinness for sir, Espresso martini for madam.

Nisha is reading, I’m now about to publish this blog.

Tomorrow we depart and go to Thurso, via John O’Groats!!!

By the way, at the end of Day 6, there’s a new tubing photo of us.