Day 99 of the End to End felt like the hottest yet. It might have been but we’ve not kept a record. When walking like this each hot day seems to be the hottest, each uphill climb seems to be the steepest. Today was both hot and steep.
Knowing this was likely, we set off early. The uphill path from the A82 was through woodland which helped quite a bit. It was another day of humongous fungi which is always fun.
At the top of the the main climb an information board told the story of the Newfies, those lumberjacks from Canada who came to work this area during WW2.
The forestry track continued across more open country, which was hotter, and we reached the Abriachan car park at about midday.
After a picnic lunch there I set off again for the last section through a small piece of younger woodland. All along the path hand painted signs announced the proximity of a cafe and sure enough there was one. The Abriachan Eco-cafe was one of those one off places you come across on LEJOG. It served excellent cake and cold drinks and the welcome was top rate. We had our photo taken, we felt like celebrities!
Then there was just a couple of miles to go to the end of the day’s walk on rather hot road with wonderful views of the mountains.
From Psalm 118
When the going was hard, I cried out to God, who brought me into a spacious place.
The landscape keeps on changing. The sheltering trees give way to heather moorand. Loch Ness glitters in the sunlight. Small streams jump down the rocks. The trees come back. It is wonderful.
God grant a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 25.07.2019
Day 99 of the End to End, from A82 near Drumnadrochit to Wester Altourie.