Moffat to Lockerbie. 19.99 miles, 1,637ft of elevation, 33,578 steps
The day started well with a lovely breakfast served by an ex squaddie who was going to do the Southern Highland Way next week during a weeks holiday. He very kindly donated to STARS and started me off with a positive feeling.
This mornings walk was again following the Annan although much of it was away from the river and through muddy fields or local roads.
I spent a good hour listening to radio 2 and signing along to Aha and Pet shop boys. I had a very attentive audience with all eyes firmly fixed on me as I walked through fields of sheep. Unfortunately, many of them had a distinctly bored look on their face so clearly weren’t giving me their full attention.
I also saw a rather morbid scare crow cleverly constructed using a flag pole and a couple of dead crows. Someone taking a literal approach clearly.
This afternoon I was joined by my parents and after fortifying me with coffee and biscuits we headed off for the afternoon. Dad stuck with it and we did 9+ miles almost all on tarmac. He is hoping to join tomorrow as well so I hope I haven’t pushed him too far……
We visited the cemetery and looked at the memorial that marked the tradegy that sadly put Lockerbie on the map in 1988. Very moving as being so close to Christmas there were a lot of families and young students on the plane returning home to the US for the holidays.
As I don’t have many photos for today I thought I would treat you to a couple of my feet. They are quite sore as I walked all day in wet shoes and so they look very soft and wrinkly. Let’s hope they recover for tomorrow……
I hope your feet do recover John!!!!!!! Hopefully you can dry your boots out a bit before you set off again in the morning? xx
Still very impressed John, I am taking my hat off to you. Seeing the photo of the sheep and your feet reminded me of a tip I got from someone. If you have any blisters or discomfort from your shoes, put some sheep’s wool in your shoe or where the blister is coming. I use to just pick it up from one of our field where the sheep were. I tried it and it works really well. Good luck, keep going👍🏼
Thanks Sonja – l might just give it a go
Gore-Tex boots and marigold gloves should keep the feet dry. Dry feet is heaven on a long march.
Proud of you all ! Please give Grace my best ! You guys are amazing.
Thanks Marlon. Have the gore tex, just not gone for the marigolds yet (at least on my feet anyway…..)