Waking up by the sea is a joy! I woke up early, so headed out for a walk by the sea before breakfast. The sun was just behind the mountain ridge as I set off, so the light was magical. I love being on the beach alone, you can explore and see how nature should be (am I beginning to sound like a hermit?). Tiny crabs that have been washed ashore, seagull foot prints in the sand, and the trickle of the sea as the tide heads back out for another few hours.
Back to camp and getting the kettle on, I read some of my Birthday book “Ingo” from Juli and Nick. Reading about Mer-people by the sea is a strangely comforting experience and I have dreamt about the being in the sea for most nights since being back home. Maybe I should be worried….. but I’m not.
Pictures here.
After a leisurely breakfast, showers (such luxury) and taking the tent down we got in the car and headed on our long journey back to Edinburgh. We didn’t get very far before stopping at a small set of shops and mooching around the bookshop and wool shop. Another hours journey and we were at Kyle of Lochalsh, just over the Skye bridge on the mainland for another spot of shopping and some lunch. Obviously we needed to stock up for our long journey ahead!
Back in the car we had a few hours of driving and singing to the iPod (a bit longer than expected after missing a turning), we swapped over so Trina could drive for a bit, it was a hard day to drive as it was so hot and the driver was always in the sun. As we entered the Caingorm National Park, Trina screeched to a halt when we saw a sign for “Coffee, cakes, clothing and other yummy things”. There wasn’t much discussion as we pulled in excitedly! By this time it was definitely afternoon tea time!
Such a gorgeous building, lovely shop, and great coffee and cakes, we sat and chatted to the staff as they finished up for the day. The son of the owner (who would have made Trina a lovely husband had he been 1 years older) and a young student who had found the job on gumtree and planted herself in the middle of nowhere for the summer! They talked about the history of the shop, and about their travels, and we talked about our trip. It was a great break in our long journey, a well-deserved rest stop – beats a service station anyday!
Pictures here.
Finally 2 hours later we pulled up outside Gareth and Laurences, managing to secure a parking spot until the morning. We climbed up the stairs and I tripped cutting my elbow! Trina obviously laughed and laughed at how ridiculous I was being!!! Lots of swimming and jumping over rocks and I can’t even climb the stairs – I blame the flip-flops – that’s my story and I am sticking to it!
Dinner with the boys, presents and birthday cake (thanks G), stories of our week, stories of theirs, a quick walk along the canal as it was so hot before finally bed time.
Pictures here.
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