Rest and recover.

For me, rest has never come easy. Constantly on overdrive I have been known to go, and go, and go! This last season I've been brought to a sudden HALT. Forced to stop, to slow dramatically it hasn't been easy. My mind so willing, my body just not. It has been 6 months of 'NOT'! I can tell you, it has not been easy!

With the flurry of the last few days, I knew I needed to do exactly that; rest. The stutter was coming back, my steps were slowing considerably, my mind, my being, weary and I was becoming increasingly anxious and overwhelmed. I didn't want this to be my life or reality.

Amazed at how much we'd been able to see and do in the last few days, my body knew it was high time for a breather.

Sammy, full of beans wanted to go on a 6hr hike to the highest waterfall in Scotland. How wonderful it sounded, how wonderful it would have been for the Bek before... this new Bek couldn't ignore her bones. Staying in town, seeing a few shops and finally sitting and writing, it was exactly what the Dr ordered. Sammy full of joy for the hike she'd completed, me, not so agitated and actually happy again. It was lovely.

Wanting a celebratory drink for all her efforts, we went The Celidh Place. Sammy tried the smokiest whiskey on their shelf - it was also the most expensive bottle with 62% alcohol! What a riot we had thereafter. Becoming the cause of much flurry at the bar, we met Tom and Owen. They were absolute larrikins. The intoxicated friends were our nights amusement, and Owen's dog Oden just made us smile. What perfect way to end the day. It was the first time I'd felt comfortable to have such a social interaction since, and it was actually fun... To Sammy's delight I suggest we take some photos of the setting sun. The sight was positively beautiful.

Then today. We set out to hike the Stac Pollaidh. They're exquisite mountain ranges. It was amazing.

Going in the morning when I knew I'd have more beans in my tank, we hiked right to the summit. The bar tender had informed us if we were quick we could do the circuit in 2 hrs... we got to the summit in 40minutes! Meeting Brian and his son Finlay up top, we chatted, we laughed, we were sweaty, and I was positively AMAZED at what we'd achieved.

Sammy said,

"I thought you said you weren't fit!!!"

I'd overtaken her making it to summit first. Sammy had said a few times,

"if you need to stop, just let me know and we can!" But I knew if I stopped it would be a challenge and a half to get into a rhythm again, so I powered on instead.

How liberating it was. I wanted to cry! I'd made it. We'd made it.

Coming down the mountainside there was another significant breakthrough, we jogged down the slope!!! It was so ridiculously freeing. It felt so wonderful to open my chest, breath in the fresh air and to feel my heart beating inside my bones. What an extraordinary blessing!!! Halfway down the descent we saw some little friends. They put a sparkle in both our eyes.

It was beautiful to just stop, take some snaps, and soak in the precious moment we were sharing.

With the day far from over and so much more to see, we stopped back at The Ceilidh Place for a bite to eat before starting a new adventure. To the Gorge we would go. To the hanging bridge we would walk, and the hidden local secrets we would discover.

What a wonderful day it was unfolding to be. Rest had done wonders, and Bek was coming back. Finally. <3