Day 350: Mausdale to Campbelltown

Best bits: meeting Ian and Nick at the Argyll Hotel

Worst bits: busy road

Distance: 15 miles

Days to the finish: 15

I was woken early by Kirsten saying ‘Tracey. Tracey! Can you smell gas?’ I was startled and it took me a few seconds to realise what she was saying. At first I couldn’t smell anything then I got a slight odour. I suggested Kirsten open the door and then the smell of rotten eggs became stronger. We decided it must be the seaweed outside on the beach. Panic over we went back to bed and dozed off.

There were many fields of cows today with that familiar farmyard smell. Once again the cows stood still staring at me as I went past.

Yesterday I had been flicking through some photographs and there were many with beach huts. I thought that it’s been a long time since I’ve seen any when, what do you know? I spotted some by the beach. They are spaced out unlike the crammed versions elsewhere along the coast.

As it’s approaching Halloween it was interesting to see a field of pick your own pumpkins.

My first stop today was at the Argyll Hotel which wasn’t officially open, but Ian the owner kindly let us in because he said he had heard all about me from Will at the Mausdale Store’s Facebook page.

We had tea and lovely shortbread biscuits and were also offered sandwiches which we politely declined as we had some with us. We had a great chat with Ian about how he came to be running this hotel and about taking chances and serendipity. Then we met his gorgeous Dalmatians called Logan and Winter who had impeccable behaviour. The hotel was so beautiful that we booked in for dinner this evening.

Back out on the road once more. A few cars pipped and waved as they went past me. I think they too have seen me on Facebook.

For the first time in awhile, I could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. As I’ve been walking on the road for a long time now this was a great reminder of what I’m doing – walking around the coast of Britain.

After another stop at Westport beach it was onto the final stretch of today and into Campbeltown. This bit of road was fairly busy with many big trucks. I had to keep hoping in and out of the hedgerows.

Kirsten was in Campbeltown to meet me then we travelled back to our campsite.

Continuing Kirsten’s cultural education we watched the film Pride. Then we went back to the Argyll Hotel for dinner. Nick and the staff were perfect hosts and the food was delicious. I detected a Gordie twang in Nicks speech and we had a great chat about Hartlepool and Happy Valley caravan park where Angela and I lived for 6 months.

Then it was back to Priscilla. After trying a few word puzzles and failing miserably I asked Kirsten a few questions about her time with me this week.