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As some of you will already know, I'm now ambulant disabled, unable to walk very far and always in some degree of pain and stiffness. However, when you've been used to a lifetime's walking that urge to get out is still there! The trick now is to realise when to turn back and not walk too far
Sunday 2 October was a glorious day and The Quiraing dominated the view from our holiday cottage. We drove up the road and parked at Bealach Ollasgairte NG440679 along with all the tourists/walkers who had beaten us to it. There was even a hot teas/coffee/refreshments caravan, just needed a "Ladies" and I'd have been in heaven
My husband set off for Meall Na Suiramach whilst I walked a few paces along the path to my first photo stop (along with the Spanish tourists in their smart fashion boots and fur jackets). There was a strong gusting wind and, trying to balance on my sticks and sort out the camera, isn't always easy!
- Cleat and Loch Cleat
- Cleat and Bioda Bhuide
I walked on a few metres to try and get some shelter from the wind. The ground was a bit boggy, as I quickly discovered, when I sat down and got my tousers rather wet
I then spent a happy ten minutes chatting to a couple of walkers trying to identify the mountains we could see on the mainland; from the hills north of Ullapool down to Torridon. Slioch was right opposite us and it was easy to see Ben Alligin, Liathach and Ben Eighe - fantastic!
- Applecross and Torridon
- Slioch, Ben Alligin etc.
We said goodbye, they heading back to their car, I intrepidly marching on. The path narrowed, dropped down and round to the left and, suddenly, I was sheltered from the wind and the noise of the crowds back at the car park. At that point there was no-one else in sight and I could've been miles away from civilisation
The path was stony in places and a bit muddy from the previous day's rain but fairly easy going. When I reached the path going off to the left up the slopes of Meall Na Suiramach I decided I had better call it a day even though The Prison seemed tantalisingly close! I retraced my steps to a conveniently placed ledge, sheltered from the wind, in the sun and giving me a good view of The Quiraing and an ideal place for a late lunch
- The Quiraing
- Wider view of The Quiraing
After our cup of soup and crisps it was time for one more photo as the sun was getting lower in the sky.
- Cleat and Bioda Bhuide (again)
We made our way back to the car park, now with only four cars, with me picking my way carefully down the slope and battling against the wind. Got there safely and so back to the cottage for a cup of tea