TraceysTrek

See my whole journey and donate at TraceysTrek.uk

Best bits: big win for the lionesses, sunset

Worst bits: getting absolutely soaked

Distance: 13.3 miles

I woke up to a beautiful view of the beach and the little Harbour at Port Erroll. The facilities here were great with a very clean toilet which makes all the difference. I had a good nights sleep which was fantastic. It was a little cool first thing but I soon warmed up as I had to walk about half a mile to the bus stop to take me to Newburgh, the start of today’s walk. The bus stop was opposite a pub called the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel, Kilmarnock seems such a long way away now, well it is via my route!

The bus journey was around 50 minutes and so it was time for a cuppa once I arrived in Newburgh. I was lucky to find the Trellis coffee shop, they had some excellent food on the menu and the staff were very cheerful. I had an orange and poppyseed scone which was delicious.

After a short stretch of walking along the road I crossed the bridge across the river Ytham. The path took me through sand dunes to round the headland from which I was able to see where I had walked from yesterday.

It was a while before I got sight of the sea again. However, I did see lots of heather that has now started to come into flower.

Hackley Bay was almost deserted. One family had it all to themselves.

I took the option of the steep steps down onto the beach and then up the other side.

I saw three figures wearing huge rucksacks climbing up the other side just ahead of me. I soon caught them up. Alice, Nicky, Alison and Pablo the dog had been camping overnight on the beach. Nicky took a bright orange heart for her dad.

It was a nice easy path all the way into Collieston and I met lovely people along the way. The folk of Collieston are very generous and friendly.

I was advised by the locals that the coastal path was very overgrown and close to the edge and probably not the best or safest path to take. They recommended using the road as it was very quiet.

I was soon around the harbour and past the church up onto a quiet road.

The road section was quiet and boring with only a few glimpses of the sea. However, I could see rain clouds in the distance. I was wondering if I would get wet. It started to rain just as I got back onto the cliffs. The path there was very steep and narrow, but it was nice to be back on the coast.

I popped on my yellow poncho which was blowing around in the wind making me look like one of these inflatable Santas except of course I was bright yellow. Occasionally it would get caught on the barbed wire so I had to hold onto it with both hands.

It wasn’t long before I was onto the beach which was lovely. A long sandy beach and I could see my destination which was only about 2 miles away. However, the clouds were looking darker at darker and more and more menacing.

I heard the rumble of thunder then the heavens opened! Back on with the poncho but it did nothing to keep my shorts or feet dry. I was squishing with every step. So the last couple of miles I was soaked through.

Then finally I crossed the bridge and arrived in Port Erroll.

I arrived at Priscilla and literally peeled off my clothes and poured water out of my shoes! I wrung out my socks.

The problem with being wet is that you soon drop cold once you stop. Thank goodness the water leak has been fixed as I was able to take a hot shower.

For quite a while this afternoon I had been contemplating whether or not to stay put tonight or move on. Stay put would mean I would just need to get out of bed and walk tomorrow but then get the bus back and then drive back later that evening. Driving would mean getting the bus back in the morning and then walking back to Priscilla.

My soaking made the decision for me so I jumped into bed to watch the women’s Euro final. Angela loved watching football so I put her picture next to me so we could watch it together and have a chat. Extra time and penalties…yesssss 🎉🎉🎉🎉🍾🍾🥂🥂

To round the evening off a rainbow appeared over the harbour

and in the opposite direction the sun was setting. I think I made the right decision to stay here tonight.