Road Trip Part Two!

We're home. Finally. After a round trip of about 1300 miles - Lancashire to Gloucestershire to the Scottish Highlands and back to Lancashire. What a trip! 

After spending one night in Ullapool we headed north, for Durness, right at the far north west of Scotland. As there was no real rush we took our time, taking in the fabulous scenery on what was a lovely day ....

We stopped about half way to get out in to the hills for a short walk. 

What originally looked like it was going to be a straight forward walk quickly turned in to a bit of a climb until we reached a loch, with amazing views out to sea.....

Such a fabulous place. And we didn't see anyone in the two hours we were out! 

Next stop Durness, after driving our favourite bit of road. It wasn't long before the light went, and we sat watching the moon rising and reflecting on the sea ....

And after one night there, this is what we woke up to ....

Such a glorious start to the day! We headed down to the beach with Oscar just to take in the amazing views and sea air.... 

It really is a fabulous place. And then off to Cocoa Mountain for hot chocolate and breakfast! 

Delicious. 

And then time to head south again, making our way back to Ullapool ....

....with a brief stop on the south side of the Kylesku Bridge where we had a very different view of the bridge ....

....very strange seeing it from below! And then a trip to Lochinver to visit the famous Lochinver Larder for pies, before parking up for a short walk at Inchnadamph, heading out to Traligill Caves. Not a long walk, but enough to get us out in the hills again. 

And then the final journey of the day back to Ullapool and the campsite there again, and a final walk down to the harbour at night.  

Thursday morning saw us leaving Ullapool to head south. And we left with the sun shining and blue sky, and a very quiet campsite....

...and yet more amazing scenery on the way back ...

....before reaching Dunkeld and our stop for the night, and time for a quick walk before it went dark ...

We finally arrived home on Friday afternoon, one week after leaving to begin our road trip. Not quite the holiday we had in mind, but worth every mile. 

And after trying to catch up with washing and ironing yesterday, today saw me take part in my first 10K run with DD. I admit to being extremely nervous before we set off. I hadn't slept well and was feeling pretty rough when I first got up. However, we got there and joined the hundreds of other people taking part. The atmosphere was really good. I managed to keep pace with DD all the way round. Until the final stretch. When she decided to sprint the last bit and leave me behind! I came in 11 seconds behind. 

Not bad for someone who's only been running for about 9 weeks though! I think she's planning our next 10K now......

So, all in all its been a bit of a whirlwind week. 

And I'd do it all again to see DD finish her run, and see the views we've seen in the Highlands. 

Roll on our next road trip!! 

#vanlife #walking #scotland 

Trail Run and Road Trip Part One

She did it! DD completed her first proper trail run - the Cranham Mummy Beast - last Sunday. Yay! We all arrived at the parking area in plenty of time for everyone to get their numbers and get ready, then off they went at 11am. 

It was quite exciting to see them go, and also a bit scary knowing what type of terrain they were all running. DD finished just 15 minutes behind her team mates. How good is that?! Four months ago she could hardly walk without getting out of breath after surgery, and she got round a 9 mile trail run! Amazing! 

Once everyone had discussed how they'd got on and got themselves cleaned up a bit, it was time to head back north. For DD that meant heading home. For us, it meant an extra couple of hours beyond our normal turning off the motorway to find an overnight spot on our way up to the Scottish Highlands. With at least another 400 miles until our destination, it was really too far to be driving to at 6 0'clock at night. We stopped at a motorway services. Not one of the best places we've stayed, but it's ok for one night. Lovely view of the lake the following morning too! 

Then onwards we went, heading north. And finally, after travelling 780 miles since leaving home on Friday afternoon, we arrived at Ullapool. Bliss. 

And, as the weather was so nice we got the rucksacks out and headed up the hill! So within two hours of arriving we had this view....

Fabulous! 

And time to chill.......

Reason for being late

This week has been a bit of a topsy, turvy, all over the place week. DH went away for work on Monday instead of Tuesday, and DD started college on Monday. I've had two days training at work, and DD is getting ready for a trail run in Gloucestershire. 

So, after the three day craft fair last weekend, it was straight in to a new week with DD's first day at college on Monday. Thankfully she loved it and can't wait for next week! She's spent loads of time this week reading up on what they've done, and has bought one of the course books, and been given another book by someone else who did their degree in the same subject. Lots of bedtime reading for her! DH set off for work early on Monday morning too, just to confuse things. And he came back on Wednesday, instead of Thursday - very confusing! I also had two days training, away from the telephones at work for two whole days - bliss!! The two men who took the course were really good and made it an enjoyable two days. 

Plans for this weekend haven't turned out quite as we'd originally discussed. DD was heading to Gloucestershire to stay with the two ladies that she's doing the half marathon with in November, and to take part in her first proper trail run on Sunday. Knowing we'd missed cheering her on for her first 10k last weekend, we've made a last minute change of plan to also head to Gloucestershire to be there when she finished the race. And then we'll be heading to Scotland, where we were originally planning to go. Just a bit of a detour. By about 300+ miles! Hopefully DD appreciates our change of plan! (I'm sure she does). 

First 10k!

She did it! DD did her first 10k run yesterday. In Manchester. She went with a friend as I couldn't make it (busy at the craft fair).  Her friend finished a bit sooner so she managed to get some photos of DD coming in the finish post ....

She might not have been the fastest, but she finished. Less than 4 months after surgery which left her only able to walk for a few minutes before feeling out of breath. ***proud mum****!! 

I wish I'd been there to watch, but I'd booked a three day craft fair at the local garden centre. It was really good - quite busy and a good atmosphere. 

I decided not to take the few spoons that I've got, or the letter openers, until I've decided how I'm going to display them. I don't want them getting lost next to everything else I've got on my stall. So it may be a while before they go out, but hopefully in time for Christmas. 

The downside to booking the full three days at the craft fair is that I haven't had a day off to get anything done at home. With a few days away looming up I don't feel organised at all. And I haven't been able to get out for my next run either! I must try and make the effort tomorrow. With my 10k race now only 2 weeks away I'd better keep up the practising! 

New toy!

I've got a new crafting tool which I'm very excited about. It's a Pyrography pen with different nibs to do different effects. I had a bit of play with it at the weekend, and this is what I did ......

I love it!! The possibilities are endless now with wood. It means I can do designs on the wooden spoons and letter openers I've been making amongst other things. The cubes I've used are going to be photograph/memo holders once I've drilled a hole in the top for the appropriate holder. 

So many ideas!! 

And the running is going well too. I joined DD on our usual 45 minute run last week, increasing the running intervals. Then we did our Parkrun on Saturday where I didn't beat my previous time but DD did. And yesterday we all went up to the Lake District, to Lower Borrowdale, for a 5 mile run. I say we all went - DH took Oscar for a walk while I ran with DD. 

It was really good. We ran further on the track than I'd walked previously, so it was lovely to get some practice on different terrain - Tarmac, gravel and grass. 

I've got lots to do this week. I want to get a couple of spoons finished, and get another letter opener done. I'm not sure I'll manage it, but I'll try. I've got a three day craft event coming up so it would be nice to take a couple and see what reaction I get. So I've been sanding the latest spoon tonight. I just hope the sealer arrives in time......

Heading to the weekend

So, Monday's gentle stroll? Turned out to be just over 5 miles uphill over boggy ground! Well, not all the walk was like that, but over half of it. It all started out so well. After a lovely breakfast sat outside in the sunshine we drove along a lovely single track road and parked up onthe Cumbria/Yorkshire border. 

The weather was glorious and the views were fabulous. 

We set off on a fairly good path.....

.....but then decided to head up the hill .....

It seemed to get wetter the higher we went! But, it was all worth it to be out in such lovely countryside onthe sunshine. 

We stopped for lunch at what appeared to be the end of the path. 

We started heading back when I had the bright idea to head for the nearby summit. Me and my bright ideas. We ended up giving up as the ground was so wet we just couldn't find a way through, especially with Oscar. So we turned round and set off back to the van. 

Time for a nice cup of tea and a biscuit before heading home. 

And the rest of the week so far? Work, walking Oscar, running and crafting ......