Day 2 - Ariundle to Gleann Seileach

11 May (0950-1900)
Distance: 16.5 miles(ish)
Ascent: 1200'ish
Weather: a few showers, but far better than forecast (we even saw the sun briefly)

Number of times our feet were plunged into water: 217 (possibly more)
As you may notice from the timings above, it was not an early start today. As we left the warmth of the tea-room, just after 10 last night, the lovely owner agreed to open for breakfast this morning. She was happy to start early, but 8.30 seemed early enough to us as we had already decided in favour of our foul weather route.

Kirsten joined us for breakfast. She had decided that, given the likely state of the burns in Glen Gour, if she had to go alone, she would opt for the road instead, so our decision to go that way was popular all around.
Having set out as a group of three, we stayed that way, until (many many stream crossings, bogs and flooded path-sections later) we caught up with Laura at the foot of Glen Gour.

Joining the road, we would have almost immediately left it, except that Laura uttered the words 'tea room' and 'this way'. We were seduced. Alas, when we located it we found it had already stopped serving for the day, but (being part of the village store) there were other goodies available (ice creams :-)) and picnic benches upon which to rest our weary bones.

A few other Challengers were met in the vicinity of the Corran Ferry a short while later, but we didn't tarry. The day was marching on apace, so over we sailed to head on as far as necessary to find a pitch. We did lose Laura on the way as she had some belongings that needed drying out and so opted for the bunkhouse.

By the time we found a decent pitch we were too close to a farmhouse to just take it, so over to the house we diverted to seek permission. There we found notices on the window saying the house was vacant, locked up, stripped of furniture, and would be up for sale this year. We took that as permission to camp in their garden, which is exactly where we are.

The bad news of the day (which is why this post is curter than is my usual style), is that I've done quite a mischief to my right wrist. There are two areas of swelling and hint-of-bruise and it's very painful. The pain wasn't helped when I slipped over and flung out that arm to break my fall. I would never have thought that a poorly wrist could affect someone walking so much, but my opinion on that score is now changed. Fingers crossed (metaphorically, for pain avoidance purposes) that the ibuprofen do some good soon.

Click here for Day 3

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