The Flow Country

Day 111 of the End to End would take the route across the Flow Country. One of my main reasons for walking this way, apart from avoiding the A9, was to cross the Flow Country, a large area of blanket bog. It is the largest in Europe and ecologically an important resource.
My walk started at the junction near Kinbrace Station on a bright morning. I was walking along the same road as yesterday, but there were fewer signs of human habitation, both ancient and recent. The train did go past on the Far North Line. The views of Loch an Ruathair were lovely. Bob met me before the summit of the pass to Forsinard. Not long after that it started raining.

We saw the clouds sweeping across the Flow. As a result of the wind direction my right leg was getting wetter than my left.
Bob had mentioned the Forsinard station cafe and as we were already quite wet it seemed a good place to dry off. There was a sheep guarding the door but we managed to get inside. Its simple menu required extensive sampling and I’m glad to report that soup, scones and chocolate cake were all excellent. The sheep kept guard while we ate, even dosing off on the porch. We dried out as the thunder rumbled on around us.

During a brief break in the weather we walked down to the station where the RSPB have an exhibition about the Flow Country. Two trains came through.
The rain and thunder started again. We sat in the car until it cleared up and then I legged it down the road for a further mile until the rain started again. It looks like the next few days may follow this pattern.

We drove through to the North Coast to a B&B near Melvich. Unfortunately the low cloud obscured the views of the coast but it was out there somewhere.

From Psalm 29

God’s voice is heard over the sea.

Thunder is glorious: it is God rumbling over the ocean.
The Laws of Physics make for an amazing universe. We are in awe of phenomena like thunder. Rain makes the Flow Country what it is. Blanket bog is important. The connections between all of these physical aspects of the world echo the complexity of the Holy Creator.

God grant a quiet night and a peaceful end. 

JAL 06.08.2019
Day 111 of the End to End from Kinbrace to North of Forsinard.