Consider the notion of walking for 100 Days. What would that be like. I’d no idea!
Day 100 of the End to End began at Wester Altourie on the Great Glen Way. By the end of today’s walk I would complete that route.
After the first mile on the road, the path went up through the forest. This mixed woodland included Old Caledonian Pine Forest and I saw creeping ladies tresses there, a small orchid, difficult to photograph due to low light. It was also a fungus superhighway, with many different species lining the path.
The descent to the Caledonian Canal was through a community woodland area. There were wild raspberries and blueberries to sample along the path. Bob met me in the houses on the edge of Inverness. We walked along the canal and admired the swing bridge in operation. Lunch was in the Whin Island car park and included ice cream.
The walk into the city was via the Ness Islands. At the war memorial, there’s a Stone in memory of Edith Cavell. The Great Glen Way finishes at the Castle, where Flora MacDonald stands guard. But there was little by way of recognition for the effort!
I walked on beside the river to the Coastguard HQ near the Kessock bridge I will cross tomorrow.
Our last night at the Loch Ness Backpackers coincided with the first night of the Loch Ness film festival in the bar, although Bob said he didn’t understand them all.
From Psalm 65
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
At sunrise or sunset, joyful songs are sung.
I add my voice to those songs now!
God grant a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 26.07.2019
Day 100 of the End to End from Wester Altourie to Inverness.