Day 95 of the End to End in 2019 continued along the Great Glen Way. The weather was better than the day before, the breakfast and sandwiches excellent. The route was lovely: a disused railway line for some of the way which was fairly easy going.
Some folks express surprise when I say I’ve walked LEJOG. After all, carrying several surplus stones as I do, I don’t look the epitome of fitness. Maybe they imagine it’s some kind of ultra event for the super fit. I’d say, that depends on how you do it. But this section was no more difficult that a walk on the Longdendale Trail which also includes a disused railway line.
Bridge of Oich is a place of three bridges, one of which, in the care of Historic Scotland, has a notice that says ‘Only 50 people allowed on the bridge at one time’. Perhaps it does get busy here and days of 50 people piling on the bridge in some sort of record attempt may have sometimes occurred. But not today. There were few people about and we were 48 short of the limit. I wonder if there was ever a party on the Bridge of Oich?
Meanwhile in 2020 in Longdendale I’m trying to get back up to walking fitness after my unscheduled stay in hospital now over a week ago. It’s easy to do the odd mile or two from our front, or back, door, and it’s quite easy to do anything up to 9 or 10 miles actually, but I’m a bit out of practice. So I set off for a morning walk , slowly. With lots of butterflies in the valley at the moment, that was fine as I could note them as I went along. It’s another 6 days before I’m allowed back into general circulation.
This year has been a year of numbers: those who have caught the virus, those who have died, days in quarantine, days in ICU, metres of social distance, number of people in your bubble or your shop. Our world has certainly got smaller and we are in physical contact with far fewer people on a regular basis. Tomorrow is our 29th Wedding Anniversary: I am thankful.
From last year’s blog,the remembered bible from Psalm 139
You see me, whether I am working or resting and you know everything I do.
Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.
You have me in your eye,
you hold me by the hand,
you guide me through these steps,
you nurture me in body and mind:
You know my limits,
the way my human frailty works.
Keep me mindful, caring and supportive,
that others I meet may reach theirs
and together we can thrive.
JAL: 19.07.2020 in Longdendale.