Day 71 - Beauly to Evanton

I had worried about a longer day while still dealing with the throat problems. Although I still have a sore throat and little voice, today was actually really enjoyable. The excellent weather certainly helped! Apparently yesterday the Moray Firth - where I was - was the warmest place in the UK.

I was road walking again, but this time it was possible to take minor roads, and there were good views nearly all the way - latterly of the Cromarty Firth.

I diverted via Conon Bridge Spa shop, where I was able to top up on Strepsils and Paracetemols, and where they kindly let me use their loo in the absence of a public one.

Then on to Dingwall where I met my friend from Southwell, Peter Garrood (we worked together on Southwell Music Festival). Peter is on holiday on the Black Isle and came over to walk the afternoon with me.

We had coffee and a snack in Dingwall - I think a proper lunch-break from walking helped my stamina. Our route was on the old Evanton Road, up in the hills and with good views of the Firth.

At one point the road was closed for road works and we had to improvise a route through fields and woods to get round it. We had a tea/coffee at my hotel before he departed. It was great to walk and chat with Peter and my voice just about survived. Peter was only the 12th person to walk part of the journey with me.

After shower, sleep and supper, I spoke to (middle son) Tom before doing this blog rather later than usual.

Tomorrow not quite so far, and skirting the north of the Cromarty Firth should give some interesting views of industry.

Stats: 17.54 miles today - 122.52 this trip - 1104.41 since Land's End. This was the middle of the 17 days walking on this trip.