I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but I do know it was around the time that I’d been defeated by another boggy path. This one had shown so much promise as well. It was really well made, very solid under foot, incredible views. It was like a special corridor through inhospitable terrain. Boggy marshes either side of the path while the walker is transported through the landscape. And then, as before, the path itself became the bog.

This time though, I was sensible. I didn’t try and get through, in the hope that the path would improve. No, I’d learnt this particular lesson. I decided to turn around and head back to the road. Vowing to someday revisit in drier times. It was a real shame because the path, before its decline, had really been quite special.

So, back to the setting. I’m not sure if happened while I was trying to vault over muddy sections of path, or maybe I fumbled when trying to film, but somehow I changed some of the settings on my camera. The first is a little annoying but only affects the viewer – I changed the mode to wide angle – which I don’t really like.

The second. Well that has taken me quite some time tonight to solve. Initially trying to work out what I’d done – I’d changed it from 30 fps to 60 fps. And then trying to work out how to save all my video footage from the day which was playing on my phone in slow motion. It’s taken me a couple of hours to sort out, and I think it’s ok now, but if you watch today’s video and some parts are in slow motion, you’ll know what’s happened.

Silver lining, well of course, while putting the settings back to how I wanted them, I noticed another setting that should keep the camera level. I’d been wondering how to do that.

Paths are pot luck

I felt really happy when I woke up. I think (well Jenny reminded me) that it always takes me a few days to get into the swing of things on a backpacking trip. It took me 6 weeks to walk the SWCP and I didn’t remember ever wanting it to end – I loved living on the path – but I think even on that trip it took me a little while to get climatized. Although, so far, this has been a more lonely experience. I’ve only really talked to two people so far.

Despite the solitude, which I like most the time, it’s just nice to break it up with a few chats here and there, I was in good spirits and headed off at a reasonable time. The weather was good, I could see the sun, I could see the moon, and the view over the loch and onto the mountains was impressive. My picture does not do it justice.

I was in such a good mood that despite vowing to just use the cycle route, when my map told me to head off the road onto a path, I thought I’d give it another go. But, as mentioned above, 2 hours later I was back to the same spot. Defeated by the path. I was happy though. The start had been great, I now knew it wasn’t passable, and had probably learnt something. No great disaster. I just had to use the road instead, which was actually shorter, so not all bad.

So, a nice fast march, stopping frequently to film and take photos, but soon I was over the causeway, onto North Uist. There was a Coop just after the causeway so I treated myself to some food, and a lighter so I could use my stove.

Nearly missed a good path

After the coop I could see the route took me off the road again and around the West coast of North Uist. Now, there was another road that went straight up the centre of the island. I could take that and save myself hours. I dismissed this idea quickly. But there was another road that ran round the island just inland from the path.

Based on my previous experience I thought I’d just take the road and ignore the path. I’d probably gone past the turn off for the path by 100 meters when a voice in my head told me to take the path. This road route didn’t feel right.

And I’m so glad I did. There was some coastal path walking, and plenty of time on beaches. It was really nice. I’m so glad I didn’t miss it. Obviously I wouldn’t have known what I’d missed but it would have been a shame. This really was turning out to be a good day. If it’d been a bit later I would have camped there as well – there were plenty of good pitches. It was definitely too early though, so I carried on.

I did wonder what it’d be like in the summer. Whilst walking along the second beach of the day I realised I was the only one there. I had a whole beach to myself. This really was the best – I’d certainly got lucky again. I thought again back to that road and what could have been.

Postman Pat

After the excitement of the nearly missed path, the route heads east in a fairly straight line. Just before this I saw a post van and it made me chuckle as the door was open and a black and white cat stood guarding it. Shouting (well meowing) at me as I walked past. There was no sign of Pat though. Probably solving a problem somewhere.

I was able to make good progress on this eastward trajectory now as it was really just a small road. Not much traffic so I could stride on.

I was conscious of time because sunset was an hour away and there were definitely no spots to camp. Just houses, fenced off fields, and lots of marshes. I wasn’t too worried though, as I had a feeling that soon it would become more rural – which is a funny thing to say because the whole island is very rural – but even more rural than that. Hopefully there would be just a small piece of solid ground that I could pitch a tent.

It was slightly disheartening when I crossed the main road that I momentarily toyed with using and could almost see the coop that I’d used several hours before, but that’s just the way this trail is. It snakes east to west up the islands. It is definitely not direct!

However, I got lucky again. A few miles further on and I found a good pitch. They are quite hard to find due to how wet everything is so I was pleased to get set up for the night.

It’s been a really good day on the trail.