Mini Munro and Puffins

Although I’m not a ‘Munro bagger,’ we have climbed a few and I couldn’t be this close to the most northerly one without walking it. The slightly stressful bit was driving to the start along a single track, very potholed road! But, we made it and under slightly cloudy skies that the sun could break through at any moment or the heavens could open on us, we set off. There were a handful of other cars parked up so I knew we wouldn’t be alone. 

The first part was straight up on a rocky path next to a waterfall but with great views. After that the path becomes grassier and a little less steep before reaching the rocky ground and a false summit. 

Of course we made it to the summit with no view, but Poppy didn’t seem to mind!

From here we headed to Dunnet Head and had one of our best days so far. We spent pretty much the whole day walking the cliff tops watching the puffins, kittiwakes and skuas diving and soaring. It was so beautiful that we ended up staying there for the night and re-visiting the puffins again at first light. Magical. No photos on the blog as I took them on my other camera, sorry! 

One last stop and walk out to see the Dunscanby sea stacks before it was time to catch our ferry across to Orkney. Our next island adventure is calling…

NC 500

We made it! Scotland. Such a sense of freedom once you cross the border. We stuck to the west coast, driving parts of the NC 500 I hadn’t been to before. The west of Scotland is just another world - wild, rugged, I love it! Because I was driving the western section and heading along the north coast, I was driving against what little traffic there was, as most people travel the route from east to west, meaning they enjoy arguably the most scenic stretch at the end of their journey. 

I had already researched a few stops and walks I wanted to do on the route and on the whole the infamous midges and Scottish weather was on our side! We enjoyed the Falls of Measach, Clachtoll, Balnakeil Bay, the walk to Sandwood Bay, Lochinver, Smoo Cave, Wailing Widdow Falls, Ardvreck Castle and the Bones Caves to name a few of our highlights. The Assynt region is just other-worldly. It reminds me of parts of New Zealand in its dramatic landscapes and despite it being summer, I never found anywhere to be busy. It was always easy to park, to fill up on water and find a quiet spot for the night to ourselves. In fact, I could happily spend the next month in Assynt, but north and east we must go, to the edge of the land!

School is out for Summer

After being postponed in June, we finally walked our 32 mile pier to pier challenge in aid of EACH. 

https://eastangliaschildrenshospices.enthuse.com/pf/julie-wones

As we left Cromer pier it was wet, as we arrived in Mundesley it was even wetter but after reaching Walcott the skies brightened. It didn’t rain again until just after we reached Great Yarmouth when a huge thunderstorm saw us sheltering under the tent at the finish line with our glasses of Prosecco! HUGE thanks to Nikki for saying yes to walking it together and to our personal taxi drivers Sarah and Rachel for getting us to and from the event.

Legs and feet not feeling too bad, so we then left Norfolk in heavy rain (there seems to be a theme here) and started our journey north. As always when I’m in the van I don’t like to have too many things pre-planned or booked. I did however book my ferry across to Orkney and up to Shetland as I’d been told they book up quickly over the summer.

So, we found ourselves in sunshine exploring Mount Grace Priory in Yorkshire. A wonderful setting, surrounded by woodland and then onto the Lakes to walk some Wainwrights in the Far Eastern fells around Swindale. Not as high as the north and western fells but just stunning to be back in the lakes with a blue sky. 

From here we continue north to Scotland, which keeps drawing us back like a magnet!

Wandering West

With the weather forecast looking great, I threw some things in the van and we set off to try a new circular walk in the west of the county, alongside an old favourite. 

We drove out to the village of Ringstead, with its beautiful houses along the high street and set off in the hope of finding one of the many poppy fields that blanket this area in red. The walk started off on Peddar’s Way, where there was no shade and I started to think perhaps it was still too warm for Poppy to do it. We carried on, stopping regularly for water and over the 7 mile route only encountered one chap! He was in a UK Power Networks van, (who dad used to work for) and had been called out to look at a fault on the line. 

The poppies did not disappoint! At some points, the sea of red goes on and on. They were beautiful under a big, blue Norfolk sky.

Onto Holme to park up and wait for sunset, whilst listening to the oyster catchers screeching overhead. Again only a couple of fishermen on the beach and a family on the shore, paddling in the sea. A beautiful end to the day.

After finding a great park up spot for the night, where the stars were unbelievable on such a clear night and later the moon was so bright I woke at 3.30am thinking it was time to get up, it was onto the place that claims to have ‘the best coffee on the coast!’ Thornham Deli did not disappoint. In fact I could’ve ordered a second coffee and sat in the courtyard garden for the rest of the morning. However, the trainers went back on, along with the suncream and we set off on a route Dad and I always agreed was one of our favourites. 

From my free parking spot (I hate paying for car parks!) it was an 11 mile round trip, taking in Holkham estate, the church at Burnham Thorpe, Burnham Overy Staithe  and back along the expanse of Holkham beach, where the forest meets the sea. 

There is only one thing I dislike about this walk. A field of cows that you have to negotiate! Miraculously, they seem to have found a new address (hooray,) as the field has been left for quite some time by the looks of it to be reclaimed by nature. Instead of curious creatures which I dread coming across on trails, we were joined by the songs of reed bunting, sedge warbler and white throat as well as an abundance of ladybirds! 

After a stop at ‘The Hero’ pub for a cold drink and to let Poppy lay in the shade for a bit, we carried on towards Holkham beach, where we sat for an hour watching a group of horses being put through their paces. Maybe it was the Royal Horse Artillery? 

A reminder then of the beauty that lies not far from the doorstep and as well as enjoying things you know and love, it’s always good to try something new, discover an untrodden trail and see where it leads…