Sunday, August 1, 2010

Sticks and Stones

Twelve miles today. The scenery was stunning and stark at the same time. The Way has been mostly on old roads and so extremely easy to follow MOST of the time. Today was all retired Drovers Paths or something like that. So, nice to look around at the foggy Munros. The hike was all along a boggy moor. Stick to the path or you might not be found again until the next ice age uncovered your well preserved body in a peat bog!

It's a bit like a highway out there which has been quite delightful. You end up hiking all alone, but with the same folks at the same time. Leap frogging, chatting, taking photos of each other
and then meeting for a pint (or a cup of tea or an Irn Bru -- which I have not tried yet) at the pub in the hotel after the day's journey is done.

Make your miles. Get a shower. Eat. Sleep. Do it all again the next day. Nice rhythm actually!

The sticks: necessary for me to make it down the rocky paths and back up again.
The stones: rough under foot and so you find yourself carefully placing each step to preserve the integrity of your sole. Soul?

72 miles completed! Two more days of walking. One holds the "Devil's Staircase". I trust I will still sleep well knowing this...

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