Too hot to walk - or write!

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long - I get really disappointed in myself when I lapse in my blogging. However the guilt ebbs away when I realise that I don't have a lot to write about at the moment. And that's okay.

I haven't done any walking for quite a number of weeks now. It's been too darn hot! I'm not a big fan of hot weather, and walking to and from work in the heat has been a struggle. My energy has been pretty sapped, and I just haven't had the enthusiasm to get out there as I have done in the past.

I know this will pass. I don't generally tend to walk too much in the summer, preferring to get out and about in the winter / spring / autumn. I'm aware that the weeks are flying by, leaving me with a spinning feeling. I feel like I have so much to do but no time - yet I do have time, I just don't make the most of my time. And that annoys me. So I get very frustrated about that and waste time feeling frustrated rather than getting on with things.

There are plans afoot for walks ahead. And that keeps me going in these lazy weeks where I don't feel like I'm achieving anything.

At the end of August I'll be walking the East Highland Way, an exciting new trail weaving its way from Fort William to Aviemore. I can't wait! Another challenge, another long distance trail. More to come on that...

I hope to fit some more Munros in too. If I can work through my list of things to do, get things done, get moving - I will literally get moving!

Peace and quiet on the Western Isles

It's difficult to believe that more than a week has already flown by since I returned from an amazing trip to the Outer Hebrides. I'd been looking forward to this adventure for a long time, and whenever you anticipate something so much, time just seems to go fast.

It's too hard to put the whole week into words. I did try, and you can find that here.

Safe to say I found peace and quiet that I might not have believed existed. With all the stresses of noisy neighbours, getting through work and general busyness, I was ready to get away. I knew I'd find beautiful beaches, white sands, turquoise waters, open roads.

I had no idea it would be as amazing as it was! I think it would be best if I let the photos do the talking, as I've been struggling to find the words.

Soon I'll get back into the swing of things, and hopefully get back out walking soon. It's too hot for me at the moment! I went for a wee run around on the beach behind Barra Airport and I kept thinking - remember this moment, remember how this feels. 8 days later and I remember bits of it but how quickly "real life" takes over again.

Sigh. One day I'll be back on the beaches of Barra and Harris, frolicking happily by the sea.

On a choppy 5 hour crossing to Barra!

Sunset from our B&B on Barra!

Barra

Barra Airport

Kisimul Castle

Vatersay!

Berneray

Sunset on North Uist

Luskentyre beach - my favourite!

Lewis Chessman at Uig

Butt of Lewis

very cute Border Terriers at Callanish!

Callanish, an incredible place

Garry beach, Lewis

Corrieshalloch Gorge on the way home

I wish I could've done the week justice with words, but even the photos don't really cover it. The Outer Hebrides are a fascinating series of islands, with so much to see. Every day brought a new beach, and I'm happiest when I'm on a beach in Scotland!

Truly, a great escape...