Day 80 of the End to End would, when completed, mark two thirds of the days used. It would leave us with 40 days (and possibly 40 nights) to get to John O’Groats.
It began at Kilbarchan. The village has a history of weaving and radical politics. The Weaver’s Cottages in the centre of the village were unfortunately not open today.
I joined the disused railway path that is now National Cycle Route 75 at Bridge of Weir. The folks running the community centre and post office were very welcoming. The path was gentle walking much like yesterday, through fields of mixed farming. I passed the side path to Quarriers, the village built in the 19th century as the National Orphans Homes for Scotland. There were plenty of wild flowers, including common toadflax. It is know in different places by many different local names including ‘butter and eggs’ and ‘bread and butter’.
The next village was Kilmacolm. Bob met me and we had a picnic on a bench. In some places interesting sculptures have been erected often made from old recycled stuff.
I was soon walking down to the Boglestone Activity Centre, where the days walk ended.
However, it wasn’t the end of the days activity. I elected to visit the Gourock open air swimming pool, as I’d seen it mentioned and wanted to try it. Heated to 29 degrees it was easily warmer in the pool than out! It wasn’t very busy and I had a pleasant time floating in the warm salty water watching the changing cloudscape.
Later, Bob and I walked to an Indian restaurant in Greenock, looking at the paths for tomorrow’s walk when we planned to use the Clyde Coastal path.
From Matthew 6
And why get anxious about what you wear? See how the wildflowers grow, without weaving or spinning.
But not even King Solomon in all his splendor was dressed as well as one of these plants.
Most of us no longer make our clothing from scratch. It’s usually readily available, cheap enough and can be discarded just as quickly. We behave more like King Solomon, acting without thought for the origins of what we wear or who made it. Anxious only about what we look like.
But we will never rival the simple glory of wild flowers, everyone of them magnificent.
God release us from our anxieties.
Grant us a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 03.07.2019
Day 80 of the End to End from Kilbarchan to Boglestone Activity Centre.