Tuesday 2nd August 2016
Packed up a little earlier and left at 10:30. Stopped at Glen Affric Eco-hostel to buy snacks, the lady also made me a coffee and we had a little chat. Used their eco-toilet (reed-based?) and eco-toilet paper. Then over a clear but boggy/wet path down to The Cluanie Inn for veggie haggis, chips, hot chocolate, coke, and “cranachan” – a traditional Scottish desert: layers of raspberry and cream with oats sprinkled on top, and of course: a dash of whisky. With some snacks to take away it came to £35!
Walking in the evening felt blissful, partly because of atmospheric surroundings but also a feeling of comfort after eating well.
Distance: 18.7 miles [view on map]
Spending: £40
Mood: 😐 -> 🙂
I felt better than I had for some time that evening, mainly because I had eaten so well. People expect that walking will be constant bliss in some kind of meditative state, but when you are pushing yourself to walk 12 hour days with a heavy pack over rough terrain, wading through rivers, and being bitten by midges, it’s rarely like that. But that evening it was. I was comfortable after my feast, and this felt like a bit of a revelation: it is necessary (or at least very helpful) to be somewhat comfortable for the mind to be at peace.
