TraceysTrek

Best bits: feeling much better after a substantial evening meal

Worst bits: feeling cold and depleted due to lack of refreshment stops

Distance: 17.2 miles

I had breakfast with Penny, Phil and Susie the dog before driving Priscilla to the start point. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining and the sky was reasonably clear. However, the weather forecast was for rain this afternoon. After organising rendezvous point for lunch, I was off. The roads were quiet as it was Sunday. My foot was sore after walking 20 miles yesterday so I took some prophylactic ibuprofen.

Unfortunately walking along the road facing the traffic meant that I was in the shade and it was pretty cold. A little deer had found itself on the wrong side of the deer fence and was trying to squeeze its way back through the wires. After several attempts it managed it and so was saved from the traffic.

The first 6 miles were mainly uphill but it did mean that the views were spectacular.

It’s that time of year when spiders make wonderful webs and they seem to sparkle in the sunlight.

The final push this morning was alongside Loch a’ Chroisg. The wind picked up and there was a real chill in the air. I wished I had more layers on.

This fine building caught my eye. It looked in fantastic condition and clearly had some great views across the loch. There had been considerable tree felling in the area just to the side of it. 

I had organised to meet everyone for lunch at the Midge Bite Café 9 miles or three hours into my journey at midday. Unfortunately when I arrived, the café wasn’t serving hot food today but I did manage a cup of tea and a scone. I had just finished and was ready to leave when everyone arrived. We hastily made arrangements for the end of the day and I continued my journey as I was keen to get going to avoid the rain that was forecast. I was way down the road as Steve approached in his van and it was great to see Rhoda driving Priscilla. They stopped to say hello and I was on my way.

It was a pretty dismal seven and a half miles further to my finish point for today. Black clouds were following me and it was still quite chilly. All four vans came past me in a convoy and pipped.

As I approached the last couple of miles I was feeling pretty depleted as I hadn’t had enough food at lunchtime and had a run out of snacks and was cold. I would normally have three refreshment stops for this distance but today had only had one. I urgently needed a hot cup of tea and some food.

Unfortunately, everyone had gone way past the rendezvous point and we’re on their way to park up for the night. Fortunately for me, Rhoda had stopped 15 miles away and would return to collect me.

As soon as I jumped in Priscilla, I had to eat a bar of chocolate as my sugar levels were really low and I was very antsy.

It turned out that the others had parked up 33 miles away just outside Torridon. When I redid my route, I avoided Torridon and this area as the roads are single track with passing places and are slow going. Needless to say it then took Rhoda and I well over an hour to drive to meet the others!

By the time we arrived, I was absolutely ravenous and still very depleted and cold. I had a hot shower while Rhoda and Penny cooked the evening meal. Thank goodness it was really substantial and filling. As they dished it out, it reminded me of Sunday lunches at Angela‘s mum’s when they often dished out food for 12-14.

The juvenile side of me can’t help it. Take a look at my plate.

The upside was that we were parked at Torridon viewpoint. The downside was that we were on an exposed area on the hillside and it rained heavily then the wind picked up considerably and again Priscilla was shaken around.

After trying to organise rendezvous points and parking spots for tomorrow, it was time for an early night as once again the weather forecast looks pretty dismal.