Month: August 2020

Becoming a habit

Day 107 of the End to End in 2019 also took the John O’Groats Trail that I’d first tried yesterday. It was a welcome change from the A9 and as this was day two, it was becoming a mini habit. Bob came with me on the first section to Kirkton level crossing, then I  continued on the north side of Loch Fleet to Balblair Woods. In 2003 Hannah and I had seen the rare single wintergreen here. That is a spring flower. In late summer this old pine woodland shelters creeping ladies tresses, a small member of the orchid family.

We engaged in another of our habits at Golspie when we opted for a fish and chip lunch followed by Brora ice cream. The JOGT trail continued along the coast past Dunrobin Castle. The castle has its own station on the railway line due to the insistence of the Duke of Sutherland.

On a sunny day there were a lot of butterflies, wonderful views and the walk ended at the Iron Age Broch at Carn Laith, which is cared for by Historic Scotland. There are quite a few remains of brochs in the area pointing to a history that predates the Romans in Britain. It was lovely to walk next to the sea.

In 2020 I am surprised how quickly small habits build up:  writing, sewing, cooking and walking in any order are my current habits. If it’s wet more of the indoor ones. If it’s dry gardening may be added to the outdoor ones.

As I write this I run through the LEJOG route in my mind, surprised what I remember. But then fish and chips and ice cream are memorable anywhere.

From the remembered bible, Psalm 77
Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were invisible.

Sometimes I see footprints as I walk, signs that others have used this route.
Sometimes I see stones piled one on top of another, signs our forebears lived here.
Most days I see plants and insects, signs that other creatures value these places and we should too.
Whatever habits I may build up, may I be mindful of their effects on the smallest and most vulnerable;
may this be my commitment every time I walk through the green.

JAL: 02,08.2020 in Longdendale.

Caution! Alternative Route

Day 106 of the End to End in 2019 started at Dornoch which has both a Cathedral and a Jail, and also a chocolate shop (which I forgot to mention yesterday). The first pause on the route was at Loch Fleet. I remember when we first saw Loch Fleet, which is a nature reserve, when Bob walked LEJOG in 2003. What an amazing sight. For our morning entertainment seals were balancing and bobbing; all was quiet.

The next part of the route was experimental. We’d heard of the John O’Groats Trail and I got the map in Tain, but I’d not tried it yet. It’s main aim was to provide an off road alternative to the A9 from Inverness to john O’Groats. we’d done our best to find our own version of this, which was why I’d gone across the Black Isle (which was totally lovely). But by Tain we were running out of options so I was glad to find the JOGT map. However, there were some warnings: it was not all necessarily signed, it was somewhat experimental, it might be affected by high tides and there were places without bridges. With this in mind, I was cautious. However, I saw the small logo on a fence post and decided to try it: better than the A9 I thought.

It turned out to be part of the route of the old Dornoch Light Railway which went from The Mound (my end point today) to Dornoch and which had lead to its rise as a tourist destination. It was rather overgrown. At one point I was swimming through chest high bracken. However, it was green and it did go where it said it would and I was soon on the way across the end of Loch Fleet and meeting Bob.

Most of my alternative route plans have so far worked out more or less (obviously so, or I’d not be still writing this). Even on the TPT I took a few alternatives, like a small footpath round a wood at the start of yesterday to avoid the road south of West Cowick. It’s good to try an off road route and my theory is you can always come back if it proves impassable. As it was, in 2019, I was less than 75 miles from John O’Groats and there were more sections of JOGT to try over the next few days.

From the remembered gospel: Jesus said ‘Go by the narrow route: it leads to life!’

Route finder, I love your directions.
These green routes amaze me and lift my spirits.
May I always tread gently on the earth.

JAL: 01.08.2020 Yorkshire Day, in Longdendale, Derbyshire.