Still here

...and I've actually been for a walk too! Amid the handful of a few miles here and there, I popped in a longer walk on Saturday, a training walk for the Dava Way with the 'girls'. They walked about three miles further than me because they walked past my door and I just couldn't quite persuade myself to walk three miles on and then ring David for a lift home, so I peeled off and left them to it!

Anyway, it wasn't too strenuous, the Coast Path from Lossiemouth west:
17 miles
3 mph on average
5 hrs and 25 mins (I've deducted the stops, there appear to have been quite a few due to one particular member of the group...)
Only climbed about 170 ft, due to the fact that we walked more than half the way on the beach as the tide was rather handily out!

That was fine, so long as we stuck to the wet sand, (I hate dry sand and dunes. Too much hard work!) but we did have to paddle through the shallowest bits of the burns that run out of the forest at Roseisle a couple of times. Stopping at the coffee shop for hot drinks and cakes was a little unnecessary, maybe would have been more popular (and less likely to finish the walk) had we not taken a shortcut through the Foundation and therefore bypassed the pub. Obviously an all women group!

Anyway, I suffered no injuries, blisters or sorness, so considering how dreadfully unfit I am, (would have struggled with hills) and carrying an extra stone (which I'm continuing to ignore...) I was really quite relieved. I used my old daysac, Aedan's school bag, and had no headache or sore neck, so I think I've proved the Lowe Alpine Ace II 25 just doesn't suit me. I need new walking shoes too, as I appear to have gone through the soles of my Karrimors. Ooops.

I'm hoping I've persuaded the girls not to do the reverse of the Dava Way in April as a training walk, I think it will be too demoralising, so thinking caps on for something suitable to keep us all happy.

I'm also planning walks for our holiday in the North West of Scotland in July. It'll be the fourth year in a row we've been, but this time we're hiring a cottage and mum's coming too. This might give David and I the opportunity to try a wild camp, for my benefit, and for mum to look after all four little treasures by herself before May 2010, when she has foolishly volunteered her services. I'm also toying with the idea of a Munro. Maybe Beinn Eighe, but only if I'm much fitter and can summon up the nerve. I've visions of getting up to Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair and being overwhelmed. We'll see.