Diary May 2011

May 2011

Covered 65 miles this month; the total at the end of May is 646 miles. This is about 75% of the total distance. I am logging slightly more miles than estimated and I think the final mileage should be just over 900 miles.

The weather has been mixed with some fine weather but I have also had a few soakings.

I consider a month's walking to be successful if I survive without a fall, an injury or blisters. I was reasonably clear of all of this until the end of the month when I twisted my ankle while walking at the back of Ronas Hill and I also have three annoying blisters. I am back at work full time now so I am mainly walking at the weekends. The advantage of this is that any niggles or injuries picked up at a weekend have time to heal before the next walk. The down side is that I am not getting out so much.

Managed to complete Fetlar this month; Northmavine is almost complete and the section between Mavis Grind and Toft is well on. I really enjoyed the walking in Fetlar. The last night up there I walked in a gale and at times very heavy rain so when I finished I was soaking and very cold. We were staying in the Camping Bod and it was luxury to stretch out in front of a fine warm peat fire.

I initially expected the Northmavine area to be very tough walking, but this hasn't been the case. There are some tough areas but there are lots of pleasant flat walks and there is much less heather than I expected. A lot of the land is well grazed by sheep and it is like walking on a well cut front lawn ( Marilyn says 'not ours!').

I got as far as Sullom Voe on the walk between Mavis Grind and Toft. Some parts around Sellaness and Sullom Voe I can't get access to so I am walking as close as I can to the planned route.

I have not set any particular plans for June, mainly because everytime I plan something it turns out different. My intention is to walk what I can where I can and see how it goes.

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