Pensioners plod on.....

 

Week 12

With the Great Glen Way completed on Saturday last week, we were looking forward to our rest day on Sunday and, as is our custom where possible, it was our intention to attend a local church. On this occasion we had made arrangements to attend Culloden and Balloch Baptist Church. The reason for going to this church was to meet a lovely lady and her husband, who had contacted us through the article about our challenge that had been in the Caravan and Motorhome Club magazine.

Oh, what a welcome we received from everyone and, the more we think about our visit, we are very much reminded of the words found in Psalm 133: 

"It is good and pleasant when God's people live together in peace, and unity! It is like perfumed oil poured out on the priest's head and running down his beard. As it ran down Aaron's beard and on the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Mount Hermon falling on the hills of Jerusalem." (Youth Bible)

We would also like to say a huge thank you to Linda and Colin for their fellowship and hospitality, the meal they set before us was absolutely delicious.

Monday

With memories of our time spent at Culloden and Balloch Baptist Church and the fellowship with Colin and Linda, we set out from Inverness to begin the last section of our challenge. 

Finally, after walking just short of 1000 miles, we were seeing our first mileage sign for John O'Groats, on our walk to Evanton from Inverness.

We knew we would not reach our goal this week, however, we walked on thinking we should maybe change the title of our challenge to:
"Shona and Mike the Plodding Pensioners".

Plodding became the norm and due to public transport availability, we knew we had to cover over 90 miles in five days, the bulk of which would be along the A9.

Tuesday

An early morning drive from Inverness to Tain to enable us to catch the Citylink bus back to Evanton. This was to be the only day we would walk along a quiet B road.

Wednesday - Friday

Today it was lovely and sunny and although most of the route has close cut grass edges, we knew we had to be vigilant and maintain high levels of concentration due to, at times, heavy traffic. Something that we would continue to do through to Friday.

Thursday morning, started very "driech" (miserable and wet), we suited up with our wet gear and off we plodded again. The grass verges, although trimmed, were very wet and soon too were our feet. 

However, just as in life, we were, even as believers, never promised the walk we are doing would be easy, or, always sunny with bright skies. What we were/are promised though is: The Lord Himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you. Don't be afraid and don't worry. 

Friday saw us reach our target for the week by arriving at Dunbeath, this included walking, down and up, the Berriedale Braes. According to Shona's FITBIT we had walked 92 miles in five days.

Next week with only 37-38 miles to go, which are proving to be the most awkward regards public transport, we still hope, God willing, to be walking towards the John O'Groats signpost around lunch time Wednesday and be driving home on Thursday 25th.

As always, thanks to all for reading our blog and thank you for all your encouragement, before and during our massive challenge, it has been, and is, very much appreciated.

Please feel free to visit and share the "Shona and Mike Take a Hike" fundraising page at:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/shonaandmike-giving-page-2298439   

You can also visit our page using the QR Code below:









Comments

  1. Anonymous20 July 2024 at 11:28

    Well done walking up Berriedale hard enough driving it. Drew comes from Wick he has cycled it a few times but walking is something else. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shona and Mike Take a Hike22 July 2024 at 09:24

      Actually it was not to bad, having said that we stopped at the coffee shop at the bottom. I had some pancakes and maple syrup which I'm sure gave me a lift lol.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous22 July 2024 at 07:19

    Almost there! Sending best wishes for the last few days of your amazing challenge!
    At the moment we’re in Nice in 33 degrees after seeing the finish of the Tour de France! Don’t worry we’ll be back in time to get the flags out for you!! Fiona & Donald xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shona and Mike Take a Hike22 July 2024 at 09:31

      Thanks, glad you are enjoying Nice, and have seen the finish, I bet it was exciting. It's certainly not 33 degrees here, although the the cool is suiting us. Thankfully only 2 short days walking to do. We are so looking forward to getting home. Safe travels xx.

      Delete

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