All I have to say is that I sure am glad that I bought new walking boots prior to this trip. They have kept my feet quite happy, although my legs have issued a complaint or two. But, isn't that what they make Advil for?
Yesterday involved long distance walking again, but first there was breakfast. We were greeted enthusiastically by our Scottish waiter who was eager to please us yet today. I ordered the porridge with Maple syrup and Marty and his co-worker chose Savory. After taking our order, the waiter mentioned that he had made a special purchase of peanut butter, just for us, and would we like some? Well, he was bubbling with excitement as he asked and I am glad that Marty told him that he would love to have some peanut butter. The man couldn't bring the jar over fast enough! He must have thought that Peanut Butter was something that these Americans couldn't live without. When we were finished eating, he asked if there was anything special that he could get for us for tomorrow, and I mentioned that I would love some fruit...perhaps a banana. You could see the excitement in his face as he said "no problem, I'll go pick some up." We're certainly looking forward to what tomorrow's breakfast brings!
After breakfast, I once again took to the streets, intending to just walk through the town. Soon, I found myself at the information center, where I had a lovely chat with the woman whom I had met two days earlier there. She gave me some advice to follow, then mentioned that I might like to continue down the coastal path to a point where I would be able to see seals on the rocks, very near the shore.
I was excited about this prospect, and I walked along the Coastal Path for what seemed to be an eternity. I so wanted to see seals that I couldn't help but wonder if what I was peering at in the distance was exactly that. But, it seemed to me that I would hear them and that there would be some sort of movement involved.
I came to a large stone structure, and the path seemed to have disappeared. Continuing on would require stomping through muddy grass up and down an embankment, and, once again, I decided that was not in my best interest, so I turned around.
On my way back, I encountered several people who were walking along the path with their dogs. I asked one man about the seals and he said that I would have had to continue just another 3 or 4 minutes to see them, but the tide was in, and the seals were not out. And, he went on to say that the rest of the path was a muddy mess and that I had made the right decision to turn around.
I thanked him and continued on my way when, suddenly, the cutest Cairn terrier came rushing towards me and jumped up on my leg enthusiastically. His owners were horrified. Apologies came spewing from their lips as they explained that they had only owned "Tom" about 3 months, having rescued him, and he was having difficulty learning not to jump on people. I laughed and told them it was perfectly OK. She looked at the muddy marks on my pants, and said that it was a good thing that I was wearing black. We chatted a few minutes while Tom was perfectly content running through the brushes along the path. The owner had mentioned that the vet called Tom a "Wee lovely little dog" and I just couldn't help but agree.
My legs were aching by now, so when a set of stairs appeared along the path, I made my way up them into a new development of houses. I couldn't help but admire the view that these people would see everyday out of their back windows. It is simply breathtaking!
When I noticed that I was in a maze of houses, I stopped and asked a man for directions to the road, and he kindly steered me towards the main road and soon I found myself in familiar territory on my way back to the hotel.
At first, I was a bit disappointed that I had walked so far and missed the objective. But once I was in my warm and cozy room, sipping a nice cup of Earl Grey tea while nibbling on a shortbread biscuit, I couldn't help but smile, thinking of the people that I had encountered today and how welcoming they had all been.
Despite the wind and the drizzle, it was a delightful day!
Yesterday involved long distance walking again, but first there was breakfast. We were greeted enthusiastically by our Scottish waiter who was eager to please us yet today. I ordered the porridge with Maple syrup and Marty and his co-worker chose Savory. After taking our order, the waiter mentioned that he had made a special purchase of peanut butter, just for us, and would we like some? Well, he was bubbling with excitement as he asked and I am glad that Marty told him that he would love to have some peanut butter. The man couldn't bring the jar over fast enough! He must have thought that Peanut Butter was something that these Americans couldn't live without. When we were finished eating, he asked if there was anything special that he could get for us for tomorrow, and I mentioned that I would love some fruit...perhaps a banana. You could see the excitement in his face as he said "no problem, I'll go pick some up." We're certainly looking forward to what tomorrow's breakfast brings!
After breakfast, I once again took to the streets, intending to just walk through the town. Soon, I found myself at the information center, where I had a lovely chat with the woman whom I had met two days earlier there. She gave me some advice to follow, then mentioned that I might like to continue down the coastal path to a point where I would be able to see seals on the rocks, very near the shore.
I was excited about this prospect, and I walked along the Coastal Path for what seemed to be an eternity. I so wanted to see seals that I couldn't help but wonder if what I was peering at in the distance was exactly that. But, it seemed to me that I would hear them and that there would be some sort of movement involved.
I came to a large stone structure, and the path seemed to have disappeared. Continuing on would require stomping through muddy grass up and down an embankment, and, once again, I decided that was not in my best interest, so I turned around.
On my way back, I encountered several people who were walking along the path with their dogs. I asked one man about the seals and he said that I would have had to continue just another 3 or 4 minutes to see them, but the tide was in, and the seals were not out. And, he went on to say that the rest of the path was a muddy mess and that I had made the right decision to turn around.
I thanked him and continued on my way when, suddenly, the cutest Cairn terrier came rushing towards me and jumped up on my leg enthusiastically. His owners were horrified. Apologies came spewing from their lips as they explained that they had only owned "Tom" about 3 months, having rescued him, and he was having difficulty learning not to jump on people. I laughed and told them it was perfectly OK. She looked at the muddy marks on my pants, and said that it was a good thing that I was wearing black. We chatted a few minutes while Tom was perfectly content running through the brushes along the path. The owner had mentioned that the vet called Tom a "Wee lovely little dog" and I just couldn't help but agree.
My legs were aching by now, so when a set of stairs appeared along the path, I made my way up them into a new development of houses. I couldn't help but admire the view that these people would see everyday out of their back windows. It is simply breathtaking!
When I noticed that I was in a maze of houses, I stopped and asked a man for directions to the road, and he kindly steered me towards the main road and soon I found myself in familiar territory on my way back to the hotel.
At first, I was a bit disappointed that I had walked so far and missed the objective. But once I was in my warm and cozy room, sipping a nice cup of Earl Grey tea while nibbling on a shortbread biscuit, I couldn't help but smile, thinking of the people that I had encountered today and how welcoming they had all been.
Despite the wind and the drizzle, it was a delightful day!
Yum!
ReplyDeleteFun!
Beautiful!