Kinlochewe to home: LEJoG Day 66

A sad return home due to a malfunctioning knee.

After breakfast at the Kinlochewe hotel, Google claimed there would be bus arriving outside at 9:00 am. Further research last night showed this to be incorrect, no bus would arrive before tomorrow. Kinlochewe is remote with very limited public transport. Fortunately on overhearing me enquiring about options with hotel staff yesterday, a villager offered me a lift to Inverness as he was going that way. Getting to Inverness was important as I had booked a flight from there to Bristol, that being the cheapest as well as the fastest way home. During my ride to Inverness I heard about how the Highland council was shutting all the public toilets, an act very damaging to visitors, a mainstay of the local economy, so a rather silly decision. Fortunately the local people in Kinlochewe were now keeping them open on a voluntary basis. One can only congratulate them on their efforts.

Once in Inverness I wondered around the town, looked at the Castle, bought new bootlaces, enjoyed a coffee and had a haircut so I would look smart for my wife on my return. A bus took me to the airport, where a full, orange plane whisked me and the other face mask covered passengers to Bristol. A further bus and two trains, then delivered me home. Limping up the hill from the railway station, my wife and dog came to meet me and welcome me home, although our dog took a moment to recognise me with my curious gait and being away for so long.

I am now considering how to complete my walk to John o'Groats. I have booked an appointment with a physiotherapist to see what can be down to help my knee recover, and am looking at alternative routes as the grouse shooting season starts on the 12 August, which could restrict access in parts of the Highlands.

Until then if you wish to read my blog from the start, click here.