TraceysTrek

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Best bits: meeting wonderful people

Worst bits: legs feeling tired

Distance: 16 miles

My brain was active last night and it took me a long time to get to sleep and my oura ring told me I only had four hours 45 minutes of sleep! I had made the mistake of looking at photographs and it took me down the rabbit hole of thinking about Angela and looking at her in the photographs and remembering how she was on each occasion.

Anyway, no rest for the wicked we were up and off back to Durness for the start of today’s walk. The sun was shining and the scenery looked absolutely fantastic on the way over and I was looking forward to the walk back. We were surprised as there was quite a bit more traffic than we have seen over the last few days. We put it down to the timing of people leaving campsites and travelling onto their next destination and the fact that it was Sunday.

Before we set off, we had a chat to Wendy who’s awning blew down last night and Ingrid from Germany who loves Scotland and has been here many times.

Pearl and the lovely team at @BreastCancerNow sent me a get well soon message which was lovely to receive and made me smile.

Once I started walking I could look back and see the view we had from our stopover at Durness. This was my last view of the north coast and now I was heading south.

It wasn’t long before I was at the point where the ferry goes across to Cape Wrath, looking dark, and a minibus up to the lighthouse. Alas not for me today.

I was making good progress when all of a sudden a campervan pulled up next to me and someone got out. It was Nadia from Germany and she wanted to walk with me. She only had sliders on but could keep up a good pace. She had seen my hi viz vest and was interested as she has metastatic breast cancer. We spent a while walking and talking, Nadia is @Gewinnerbraut on insta.

Then a car pulled up it was Ally who was in front of us on the zip slide yesterday and her husband Vance. We had a quick conversation before they continued on their way.

As we were approaching Nadia’s van Aly was walking towards us. It was an opportunity for Aly to practice her German as Nadia and her husband invited us for a cuppa in their van.

It was time for a well needed lunch break and a couple of paracetamols. I was feeling a bit tired and for the first time ever my hamstrings felt a bit tight.

After lunch the scenery continued to be impressive and the temperature rose even though there was a strong wind which meant I had to hold onto my hat several times.

A car passed me and then stopped and as I approached it the lady held out a £10 note. I gave her a card and heart and she said she had seen my cards in several cafes.

Then two cyclists passed me cheering ‘go on Tracey’. What an interesting day of meeting so many people on the road.

I took my last few looks down this beautiful valley carved out by a glacier.

Then it was my final stop of the day. Aly had more sandwiches and a cuppa ready and I needed a rest before the last 3 mile section which was mainly downhill.

I arrived at our final rendezvous point ahead of Aly and as I didn’t have a jacket and was worried about getting cold I carried on. Then we had some miscommunication and Aly passed me and parked up further on in a lay-by. One minute in Priscilla equates to around 20-30 minutes walking. So I ended up doing an extra mile or so. Oh well less to do tomorrow as the weather forecast is for rain!

Then it was back to our campsite Scourie Caravan & Campsite where Vicky kindly gave us an extra night on the house. This was the view from Priscilla’s windscreen from our pitch. Our entertainment was watching a seal swimming and spotting it popping its head up. The water here is absolutely clear and is various shades of blue and green.

Time for a shower before dinner. It turns out I walked further than I had set out to do today. No wonder my legs were twitching and I needed to lay down. Then the wind picked up rocking Priscilla in 30 mph gusts which were predicted to continue all night.