Alltsigh to Fort Augustus
Actual distance 17.57Km or 10.92 miles
Total Ascent 433m
Staying at Insh Scout Campsite
It was a tough start today following our first (very wet) night camping. Packing up the van was doubly difficult as tents were unable to be packed always as neatly as previously and the Tetris mission of stowing all the kit in the van stepped up to another level. Fortunately Paul and Jane were able to save the day and load our overnight bags into their camper!
Despite the tough start we did manage to get a load of washing done and most of it dried before we left. We optimistically thought we would be able to finish drying it at the campsite but little did we anticipate the ensuing rain!
Again we were a split group as James wasn’t feeling good today so he and Cara rested and set up camp whilst we were walking. The feast of us had a mainly dry walking day along the Great Glen Way through the forest, with tantalising glimpses of Loch Ness through the trees. There was a couple of major hills and we even added some height by detouring to the Stone Seat for our lunch- we must be feeling stronger!
We have learned over the last few days that everyone hits their wall at a different point in a long walk. For Hattie it’s normally after about 8km/ 5 miles when the realisation that we are not quite half way kicks in. For Ollie it’s always at 15:30.. we assume due to a need for dinner, and for Jennie it’s generally when there’s a surprise hill in the last 1-2 km when her knees are aching. Today endless rounds of ‘the word association’ game, ‘who am I’, lots of singing and flapjack helped the tiredness to pass and for us all to reach the end in good spirits.
Before we left we (as in Jennie and Phil) had mentally prepared for the challenge of day on day exercise, and expected to feel tired from this. However, we had not really considered the utter exhaustion of constantly loading/ unloading the van, setting up camp, sorting meals, updating the route for the following day, blogging, shopping, laundry, driving, planning logistics for the next leg etc, etc. In many respects this feels like an equal if not greater challenge than the physical journey.
Tomorrow in some respects will therefore feel like a bit of a rest (if you ignore the 55km bike ride!?!), as tonight and tomorrow evening we are sharing Insh campsite with a group of Scouts from Glasgow. It’s very wet, so here’s hoping the tents stand up to the weather. At least the rain keeps the midges at bay!
