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LEJOG 2023
  • MaryA
  • MaryA

LEJOG 2023

An open-ended adventure by MaryA Read more
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  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler

    LEJOG Day 45

    May 21, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    22miles Altnafeadh

    A day on the West Highland Way. Great walking. Hills in mist to start but gradually cleared to a hot afternoon with great views. Plenty of people to reel in -86 in total😊 I know it’s not a race😆. Met Lucas ( with Jordan)doing his epic biking trip around Scotland. Fantastic. Onwards for a swift and very comfy 1/2 cider at the Kingshouse then on to Altnafeadh. Lots more wild flowers out now. Butterwort, milkworts, white lousewort, tormentil. And the cuckoos still to be heard.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler

    LEJOG day 46 Achintee

    May 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    22.6 miles. 863.6miles
    A beautiful again. Dropped back by Ollie- thanks for his premiere chauffeuring. Starting off at the Devil staircase seemed good and easy. We were in Kinlochleven in no time. Then off up and along the long track through the fantastic countryside. All the hills looking amazing. No deer or eagles😟. The track went on a long way-as ever. Then onto the final rollercoaster of the WHW bringing great views of Ben Nevis- looking splendid. Quick stop to patch up Helen’s hand after a trip and we were down to the Ben Nevis Inn to meet Colin on his birthday.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    11

    LEJOG day 47 Laggan

    May 23, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    21.1miles884.7miles

    A start under the clouded top of Ben Nevis. Any temptation to go up quelled🤔. Our shins and buttocks would not have thanked us. Off to Neptune’s staircase and along the Caledonian canal. Very few boats. Even fewer benches! Dull weather but dry (again). On to Clunes where we left the road and Colin popped up to allow us a comfortable rest and food. Then after more magic(cocodamol) we were off to the top end of Loch Lochy. A’short’ diversion in place courtesy of SSE saw us do several switchbacks 😟 but at least we found a friendly bear.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler

    LEJOG Day 48 Invermoriston

    May 24, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    21.4 miles 906.1 miles

    My birthday today🎉🥳What will we do? 21miles along Great Glen Way 😊. Started Misty and then a little wet before glorious sunshine and clear views. A diversion took us high above Loch Oich before dropping down to the canal. A flat romp along here to the busy, bustling Fort Augustus where Colin was waiting with lunch. Then back up into the forest with occasional views over Loch Ness. She’s there somewhere 🐍🦕. Into a very sunny Invermoriston. Parked up on shore of Loch NessRead more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler

    LEJOG day 49 Abriachan

    May 25, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    20.8miles. 926.9miles
    Day started cool but beautifully promising. So good I decided to have an early morning dip (as we were parked by Loch Ness). Mistake. My usually well aclimatised body wasn’t and my muscles didn’t work nor my feet and it wasn’t a nice experience. Heh ho. Our uphill start through the woods warmed me up. Lovely sculpture with great view then views opened out to the whole of Loch Ness. Sure we saw Nessie - there were no boats nearby 🤔. Met Colin at a road end for a drink then onwards to Drumnadrochit for lunch. Not as busy and tacky as I remember. Then upwards again, seemingly never ending to a fantastic parking up spot in Community wood. Colin even had ice creams for us😊. Beautiful place to stay. This was our largest elevation gain today I’m sure. 1089 m. I’ll check all stats later.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    1

    LEJOG day 50🎉 North Kessock

    May 26, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    16.4 miles 943.3miles

    Set off from our lovely forestry parking up spot in a still and promising day. Sun from the outset if still a little chilly. Along paths and wee road through blanket bog land with nodding big cotton. Views over to Ben Wyvis. Then down through the forest. A deer seen. And then the sight of Inverness. Stopped on outskirts to refuel then along the canal and river up to the castle, which is completely under wraps for renovation 😟. Now on the John O’Groats trail all the way😊. Crossed the Kessock bridge- a big milestone. And stopped after a lovely short day 16.4 miles😂. (The flower is a speedwell- we pass lots!)Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    2

    Day 51 LEJOG Alness

    May 26, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    18.6 miles 961.9miles

    Had a lovely swim last night with Ali, Colin and Finn in Nairn. A day through the Black Isle today. Mostly on roads and tracks. Slightly dull weather and breezy. Undulating terrain brought us to a trig point- in need of some TLC. Only the 4th we’ve passed. Then the Clootie Well, just a well and no cloots? Sure we’ve seen the cloots before. Down into Culbokie past a dun, for cup of tea. Onwards across the Cromarty Firth,a 2km causeway with a lot of wind. No seals to be seen. Then up a closed bit of path(but unless we stayed on the A road there was no choice) and along the quiet road to Evanton and on to Alness. Saw the Fyrish monument on the hill above Alness. Must pop up to see it sometime!Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler

    LEJOG day 52 Dornoch (nearly)

    May 28, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    19.4miles 981.2miles

    A drive back to Alness and we set off along the minor road towards Tain. Quiet and quietly scenic farmland. Lots of suckler herds of calves. Headed up into the woodland of Scotsburn where we were met by a Jack Russell who followed us for quite some time🙃. Colin met us from the other side and Finn’s paw seemed well enough healed to come a short distance😊. 2km short of Tain we were met by an enthusiastic Hume family. Eilidh and Fraser walked with us to meet Colin in Tain. Good chat and walking😊. Lunch then onwards across the causeway (very little pavement and not very pedestrian friendly)with the Humes who left us there to walk the last few miles towards Dornoch. 85 miles to JOG- shame we’re taking the long way!Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler

    LEJOG day 53 Brora

    May 29, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    20.3miles 1001.5 miles🥳🥳🎉🥂

    A lovely morning and a quick trot into Dornoch. Beautiful old town. Onwards to the coast where Golspie was tantalisingly close but a body of water, Loch Fleet separating us. We discussed whether if there still was a ferry , would we take it. All hypothetical 🤔. So a 6 mile walk round sadly mostly on the A9. Despite it now being a National Trail there’s no pavement or safe place to walk. Heh ho. We survived. We were cheered on by singing seals, and calling eider ducks. Finally off the road and into Balblair forest where we saw a deer , ( no ospreys) and along the gorgeous beach into Golspie. Lunch here and onwards to Brora. Past Dunrobin castle ,a quite spectacular building and gardens. And more beach to our parking up spot. Ice cream from Capaldi’s-a massive queue suggesting it’s a local delicacy. And we’ve exceeded 1000miles. Yipeeee.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    11

    Day 54 LEJOG

    May 30, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    17.2 miles 1018.7 miles
    Slightly misty start this am but lovely beach walking along the coast accompanied by singing seals and riders again along with hills and shags. Had a river to cross before meeting Colin. We were desperate not to get our shoes wet so took them off to wade through. And were promptly met by a naked man strutting towards us. Apparently this is a naturist beach- Scotlands only one- and he seemed to be the only partaker. Anyway we scurried along fully clad bar shoes and socks and found Colin and the motorhome the other side of a low railway bridge. Onwards with more beach, then where the path turned up towards theA9 we opted to stay by the sea as the tide was out. Chatted with a fellow at a house who confirmed it should be OK and it was albeit very pebbly walking for 2 miles to Helmsdale. But we were welcomed by friends Liz and Robert who had waited for us on a motorcycle tour of NC500. Great to have their support. I’d rather be walking than pillion on a bike I think! Onwards higher up on a track that probably was there for the wartime lookouts. Stopped where there was access to be retrieved onto the A9. Lovely days walking. Weather superb.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    2

    LEJOG Day 55 LatheronwheelHarbour

    May 31, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    15.9 miles 1034.6miles
    Headed downhill through the moor to the clearance village and then preserved Broch of Ousedale. Quite evocative. Then onwards to a memorial to the clearance villagers at Badbea. A stunning but inhospitable place to live. Watching the sea all the time as very calm and perfect for sea beauty spotting- non seen🙃 the path was there and well marked despite the warnings on the website. We followed the coast most of the way to Berridale where we descended to the cottages and Motorhome for tea. Colin and Finn had a swim and we went onwards and upwards following the dramatic coast with arches and stacks and seabirds, wildflowers -magical. Edges a little steep at times for Helen 😆. Descended down to Dunbeath where we bought fresh crab for our sandwiches. Upwards again past some cetacean watchers - orca and humpback whales to be seen over last few days. A few more stacks and intoLatheronwheel Harbour. A beautiful spot in glorious sunshine.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler

    LEJOG day 56 Sarclet

    June 1, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    17.2miles 1051.8miles

    Another day of beautiful coastline, but hard going at times too with long vegetation and big geos to get around. Many stacks, caves and arches. 2 kayakers enjoying the paddle and calm waters with lots of seabirds flying about and calling. Many flower’s including fields of spring squill, and thrift and rose root. Primroses have been with us the whole journey. Came into Lybster harbour then onwards to Whaligoe- we left the steps for another time and marched onwards with easier terrain to Sarclet, another humid den harbour. We met 2 young lads starting off on JOGLE.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    2

    LEJOG Day 57 Keiss Penultimate Day

    June 2, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    15.1 miles 1066.9miles

    A beautiful sunrise over a calm sea to awaken us. Another day along the fantastic Caithness coast. More geos, caves, arches and stacks with razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, kittiwakes. A field of playful cattle were thankfully (especially for Finn) behind a solid fence. At Wick castle we chatted with a man who worked on the maintenance of the path. We congratulated him. Reached the motorhome for tea and empire biscuits. Then onwards into Wick via the harbour. We then had to go through a field of excited cattle (fortunately Finn wasn’t with us) so we armed ourselves with dock plants🤔. It worked. Past a beautiful lived in castle, Ackergill Tower and onto the long, beautiful Keiss beach- all to ourselves. Found a huge dead skate - a fisherman last night came back to the carpark very cross with choice language because his fishing rod and stand had been rapidly pulled into the sea, by what he guessed was a skate. Finished at Keiss harbour. A shorter day today for a last walk tomorrow.Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    1

    JOG😊😘🎉🎉

    June 3, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    14 miles
    A slightly Misty late start. Rest of the country in blazing sunshine. Almost wet at times. Back onto the beautiful coast with more flowers , birds , few fishing boats, castles., monuments, barbed wire fencing. Crossed another beautiful beach and a last tea stop. Then onwards with more and bigger geos, caves, stacks. Fantastic. And finally Duncansby Head lighthouse was on view, then first peep of JOG. Carried on up coast past last and most northerly mainland trig to the lighthouse. Several orca spotters- non in view but some Risso’s dolphins off Orkney visible in scopes. Onwards then south(!) to JOG. Met by George , Helen’s son for the final few metres. Then oh my goodness , we’d expected Ged H’s husband and Colin , but Huw , Allison and my Mum were there. All the way from Lancashire. Mum taught me to walk and appreciate the outdoors, and some of my determination! Thanks Mum. And relatives of Caroline of Dementia Cafe turned up. How lovely. Celebrations and picnic. Now what?
    I’ve raised over £5000 and I’m sure every penny will be put to good use.

    Celebration piccies later!    Read more

  • MaryALEJOG 2023Traveler
    1

    Final LEJOG stats

    June 4, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    1082.5 miles 314hrs 28554m of ascent. (93601 ft).
    3.45mls per hour average over all.
    What a privilege to walk the length of these wonderful countries. And a real joy to have such good friends to help us along the way. Thank you all. And big thanks to Helen for believing in me.
    What a great walk.    Read more

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