It isn't every day you come across a fake pizza delivery van with a Cornish parrot sitting up front but on the North Coast 500 route anything is possible.

A beautiful blue and gold macaw called Alfie was taking in the sights at the Keiss side of Sinclair's Bay while owners Jane Mayes and George Clayton had a walk on the beach.

"We went on a banger charity rally to Rimini in Italy two or three years ago and since each team had to come up with a theme for their vehicle we chose something Italian. Hence, the pizza van," Jane said.

George explained that the couple frequently do charity rallies and excursions in their camper van and, of course, get asked "all the time" for pizza or pasta since doing it up.

"We've travelled up from Liskeard which is near Land's End and thought we'd go around the North Coast 500. We're heading to John O'Groats next so that'll be the entire length of the country we've done."

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Jane said: "The chap on the Cromarty to Nigg ferry said he didn't think there had ever been a macaw crossing there before. He thought it was superb that we took our pet with us so he can have the same experiences as us."

The travelling cage Alfie is in has to be small for practical reasons and he normally resides in a much bigger one back in Cornwall.

"We often let him out to fly about the house so he gets a lot of freedom," Jane added.

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