I obviously can’t walk the hills every day, it’s important to have some rests along the way. And I’m not trying to blast through the munros as quickly as possible – the aim is to enjoy them. So I’m choosing the days with good (/less bad) weather, and not forcing myself to trudge up when I just Don’t Feel Like It.
And what do I do on my rest days? Well I’m glad you asked. I often head to a swimming pool (for the showers as well as the swim!), I drop into yoga classes wherever I can find them, I hole up in a cafe for a while with a book.
And sometimes I just stop.
If you’re not used to it, it’s a funny feeling to just stop. It takes a while to overcome the urge to do Something Productive, and feel the value in slowing the pace. This isn’t something that comes naturally to me – often my instinct is to carry on doing Things until I hit exhaustion and my body forces me to lie down.
I didn’t actually plan to stop this week, but I camped a night at the edge of Loch Creran, and I was dumbstruck but what a beautiful night it turned out to be.
Outside the van amidst the stunning view, crisp clear air and bright moonlight there was just.. silence. Very few folk come down that road at night. There was barely a breath of wind. I was alone with just the odd chirrup of birds and chatter of geese.
The whole place had a feeling of calm. It really made me think about how lucky and grateful I am to be here, with my van and the freedom to visit places like this.
I woke up the next morning, and didn’t want to leave.
I spent a while watching a heron through my binoculars with my coffee. And with a small level of faff I was also able to take a photo through a binocular lens to get the level of zoom I wanted 😂
After breakfast I decided I wasn’t for moving, so I settled in for the day to stay and watch the view develop over the top of my book. And like a 21st century budget version of Monet’s haystacks, I took a series of photos every time I looked up and the light had changed the scene again. You’re welcome. 😄
I’m not sure I can pick a favourite.
Only Young Twice 