TraceysTrek

See my whole journey and donate at TraceysTrek.uk

Best bits: finishing the distance,

Worst bits: getting soaked, walking on pebbles

Distance: 23.4 miles

As Priscilla was parked right next to the sea wall I could hear the waves crashing up onto the shore all night. This morning the rain was very heavy bouncing on Priscilla’s roof. With a 100% chance of rain until 9 am it was a later start as I had to walk to the Hotel to meet Eric and Ann for breakfast. Fortunately it stopped raining at the point I left Priscilla.

All day yesterday people were saying I needed to be careful on Monday as there was a big storm coming so I have been trying to get a few extra miles ahead of my schedule. It was going to be a long walk today!

Eric joined me for the first 6 miles today and we started back at Portgordon where we walked along the road beside the sea for a while before turning off onto a disused railway track. At that point the sun came out and it became quite warm and so we had to strip off a few layers. Then the path became a woodland track for quite some time which was very pleasant and very tranquil. We did however see the results of previous storms.

We met a local lady who recommended the Speyside coffee shop and she assured us that it would be open today.

Eventually, the path came out at where we diverted to go to the Scottish Dolphin Centre. Unfortunately there hadn’t been any sightings today so I handed out a few hearts and cards and we were on our way again.

We had to cross the river Spey, but first we had to walk along the side of it before crossing on the old railway viaduct. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a photograph of it sideways on.

We continued along the road for a while and passed the coffee shop that the lady had recommended. The route was a little strange to navigate at this point and we kept missing the turn offs however we were soon back on track.

We met Ann at Kingston where we had a lunch break. Ann had bought me a wrap from the local delicatessen which was the weight of a brick. Ann had had difficulty as all the places she went to said they couldn’t make a sandwich before midday!

I said goodbye to Ann and Eric and they went back to the coffee shop.

The path went through the Speyside nature reserve which was a track with many potholes that were full from the torrential rain we’ve been having. As I arrived at the beach, it was comprised of large pebbles and was difficult to walk on so I elected to take a path through the gorse. Unfortunately, that path petered out quite quickly and I was back on the pebbles.

The length of the beach is lined with anti tank blocks, concrete monstrosities left over from World War II and every so often there’s a pill box too. This one reminded me of that feeling of a bad day at the office.

I could see Lossiemouth in the distance it looked like it was being bathed in sunshine. I was hoping that would be the case when I arrived.

Unfortunately, that was not to be the case. As I was looking ahead of me a huge black cloud filled the sky and then I could see the rain falling from it. It wasn’t soon before it was with me. Lossiemouth disappeared completely in the mist. I retreated into the forest in the hope that it was a bit more sheltered. I only had my waterproof jacket with me I had left my waterproof trousers in Ann‘s car so I got soaked.

The forest brought me out to the edge of the river, and then I had to negotiate my way through the sand dunes. After what seemed like an age, I finally made it to the beach where the wind was whipping up the dry sand creating flowing rivers of sand.

The beach here is enormous and I could finally see Lossiemouth which would be where I was stopping for a cup of tea. In the distance, I could see lots of surfers in the water. Eric and Ann had a cuppa, the remainder of my brick sized wrap and cake.

The harbour at Lossiemouth seem to wrap itself around the headland. There were some quite large yachts berthed here.

Then I was walking along the the beach into a strong headwind. I could see a lighthouse in the distance and used that as a focus point.

The beach was very long indeed and the further I went the fewer fewer people there were. Eventually there was only one couple and a dog and the sun was starting to fall in the sky which made them silhouettes. Once I had passed them, the man asked me if I was taking donations and kindly gave me some money.

I was very apprehensive about where the path would go once I got to the end of the beach. However I need not to have worried as there was a small path behind a huge rock and it went up onto the cliffs. I continued walking along a small track with a great view of the Murray Forth. Strangely, it was a more sheltered upon the cliff tops, thankfully.

The outline of the coastline on the other side of the water was coming more into focus with every day. We think it’s somewhere around Dunbeath.

There was a natural arch but I couldn’t get a good picture of it. The sun came out from behind the clouds and the temperature rose. The gulls on the cliffs were extremely noisy and were circling above. I guess they were getting ready to roost for the evening.

At the 18 mile mark I took advantage of a little bench next to an old coastguard station and sat down to admire the view. I grabbed some extra snacks from my bag and popped in another Bruges. There was still another 2 miles to go till I rendezvous with Ann and Eric in Hopeman.

I hadn’t had any phone signal for a couple of hours, but at least they could still track me on my satellite GPS device. The mag safe for my new phone case wasn’t strong enough to hold my battery pack so I’m going to have to devise a solution for that.

Inevitably, the path brings you out at a golf course, but not before brought me down to a little beach. I tripped over some rocks and was so tired my momentum just kept carrying me forwards.

Everything started to look more vibrant and I realised it’s because the the golden hour was approaching.

Now that’s something I’ve not seen for a long time, beach huts suddenly appeared. They’re all very colourful just sitting along the edge of the bay.

I met Eric and Anne again for a cuppa which to Ann’s disgust had cost £3.75!

I was then on the last 2 miles of the day. As I crossed a beach I met Jill and Graham from Manchester.

I decided to jog these last couple of miles along the disused railway. As I came past a huge building Eric and Ann had just pulled up.

It was quite late when I finished and we went sure whether we could get any dinner this evening. All was good though as the hotel sorted us out. I also managed a shower beforehand.