Day 4 and Annie was up at 5am.
I had given up because I knew I could not do 20 miles which is the distance of section 5.
Then she decided to do the last bit of part 4 and maybe the first part of section 5. 
She is finding it easy, a fast walker anyway, no aches and pains to speak of to slow her down.
But like me has no desire to do it in the rain with no views and its much more fun with someone else, so thought she would do a shorter section today

So up I got actually quite excited to get back out in the fresh air.
I have always LOVED the mountains. And although I have been miserable for the last 2 months here with the weather, this walk along with watching Outlander has put me back in love with the landscape.
It is incredible.
The sound of the streams, the spring flowers, the gorse, the islands, the clouds, the mountains it is truly uplifting and stunning.

The smells in the forest, I love that too, brings back lots of childhood memories of going into the forest with my Uncle Bert when he was working sawing down trees. Haha that would never happen now and yet we loved it and had so much fun and learning.

Now that I had got my head round not finishing I went back to why I was doing it in the first place.
Exercise, testing my body that I have been healing just to see what it can do, getting outside in fresh air and Mother Nature, checking out the trails for blogging for Balinakill and for the views, photographs and scenery.
I had actually ticked all these boxes so I was feeling brighter.
My days rest had helped my hips big time.

I have 2 questions in my head when people say they cant do something.
If you would get 5 millions pounds could you do it?
If you could save someones life would you do it?

Sitting the other day in agony I asked myself that. And yes it would take ages, lots of painkillers maybe but I know if something super heavy depended on it then I could put myself through the pain.
But that's not the case, every step is misery, forget it, I have found more out about the state of my body, I have had some fab hours on the walk and now I look forward to the sun in Malta in 7 days time.

I opened my backpack today and all the pain killers fell out, I nearly wretched looking at them, thats my bodys point of view.

This morning was amazing, the light, the sun, along the beach on the rocks, was so happy I went. We were only walking a few hours, it was enough, I still have the pain but it was amazing to be outside again.

So I need to get more oils in, more micronutrients, carry on with the daily juicing and releasing and I need to walk more for sure. More hours in.
If we had been only walking 3 hours a day it would have been easy.
But if I still want to be in the contention for munroes and treks in other countries I need to up my level of fitness.
Yoga and the kettlebell are no longer enough.
So I have learned and tomorrow I will take my grandkids out and have a fun walk with them, no stress no goals.
7 days I will be back in the sun with my daily rituals of yoga and swimming back in my life.
Woooohooooo life is good.

This is the way I had to walk for 7 of the 9 miles yesterday.
John Wayne style. It was doable for  a bit then got extremely painful and I had to stop.
I took 5 pain killers as directed by my doc and walking partner Annie.
This made the last few miles ok and I got there, its funny when you know its nearly over.
On the way back up from Tayloan in the car I started to feel sick. I thought it was the car, but this feeling lasted all night and I realised it was the pain killer overdose, ofcourse.
My brother called to see how I was and suggested I should call it a day, if you cant walk it off there is clearly something underlying, but he also very kindly offered to come and get me if I wanted to go into the hills and attempt the 15 miles today.
I thought let me see how I feel when I wake up.

We woke up at 4.30am with the intention of getting started early to avoid the torrential rain forecast for lunchtime.
I went to the toilet, then into the kitchen to boil the kettle. I walked back and forward and the pain was medium, this is before I even started and I realised I could not go.
The mind is 500% willing but the body is not. Get over it Lilia.

It could be pretty devastating when you love the adventure and you feel great in every way, but the body just will not do what it is told.
When I was in Uganda 4 years ago I hiked Mount Sabyinyo which is 3645m high.
It was the first time I ever had a problem with my body this time it was altitude sickness. 
I had hiked the high Himalaya in Nepal 11 years before and had no problem with this, but on this hike it stopped me dead.

I thought I was going to pass out, quite a pleasant feeling, like being dizzy but made me stop incase I fainted.
The guide kept saying "time is not our friend" and I wanted to kill her as there was nothing I could do about it.
I ploughed on, way behind everyone, a place you never usually find me, and my ego would not let me give up. It passed a bit but the trek was fairly torturous and extremely hard.

If you ski, board, kite,hike or bike you know how to move through the pain barrier. 
You know when the body screams and if you just keep on going it will get easier.
I assumed this would happen to me yesterday, and the day before.
Alas on this trip the problem is underlying.
The inflammation I have been healing over the last 6 months is still there, I have more work to do.

During the winter (the real, actual winter) my body was fatigued, achy and unwell. I have worked magic on it and wanted to test it with this walk, see where I was at fitness wise.

Now I know. I overwalked on the first day. I was fine after the first 5 hours, it was after 7 my body started to scream.

So I am not as fit as I used to be. I have done no training for 4 years.
I still have more work to do.
When that happened to me in Uganda I had just turned 50, I was horrified. I started running every day and before the end of my trip I hiked Mount Muhabura 4127m and loved almost every minute until the last 2 hours of the 11 when pain came into my knees. Even with the walking poles it made no difference.

When you have cardio issues, muscle pains and cramps you have to get your mental state in order.
When your joints, nerves, ligaments start to scream there is nothing you can do.

Blisters, muscle pain, stiffness, fatigue can all be overcome and its actually a buzz to do it.
This hip thing is just getting worse by the day.
I had to give up. I have to let go of wishing I was out there with Annie. I was LOVING the fresh air and the challenge.
But it was not to be.
I have more work to do in regards to my health.
Very common for post menopausal women to have high inflammation in the body.
I still have to redress this 100%.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwcvTUx43cA
A little video that explains it all.
I am healing this, by hook or by crook.
I am regaining my fitness and health

Last night I did not think today would be possible for me.
I woke up a few times through the night with the pain in my hips, so I had all but written it off.
However when I woke up I felt much better, could walk ok although still very aware of my hips I thought let me try.
The Clachan to Taynloan stretch is all along the road so easy to bail or get help if I needed it.

Total pain in the ass and I know if we had only done one section yesterday I would have been fine, it was too far for my long unexercised bod.

So we set off and for the first 2.5 hours it was ok. I could feel my achilles, backs of my knees and my hips the first 15 mins but soon warmed up and felt it was doable.
After 3 hours it was full on pain again. We stopped at Point Sands and sat for some food and water and I looked at the Ferry terminal and it seemed miles away.
We even talked about Annie going to get the car and me packing it in. I took some more painkillers and ate deciding to wait and see if it made any difference.

The walk till then had been on big to medium sized stones which we were glad to get off, dont think that helped.
From there on it was nice wet fine sand which was much easier to walk on.

My bro had phoned to laugh again and suggested the cowboy walk.
I was already doing that.
This ridiculous gait eases the pain, and looks quite amusing.

Pain is a funny thing. I was grading it low, medium, agony.
Its a fine line between them all. One minute its ok, you can chat and ignore it, then it goes away a bit, then it gets worse, then you have to stop.

Been doing a lot of releasing too. What doesn't kill you makes you appreciate other things, like lying in bed watching Outlander!

Someone had written something rude in the wet sand near the beach. I assumed it was my bro, but apparently not?
Weebli was the first word which made me think the message was for me. I wont repeat the rest but there was also a drawing of a mans willy on it too.
Must have been really close to us being there, written in wet sand very close to the tide, and 2 sets of footsteps all the way along the shore, we could easily have missed it, maybe it was not for us.
It was the weebli that made me think it was and this is the site I use, although it was spelt wrong, weird.
Tomorrow is a 15 miler across the peninsula from Taynloan to Carradale.
It will be awesome but not with this pain. I am asking for a miracle or some good ole Angel to take it away.
Will see how I feel in the morning, then make my decision.
Have to listen to the body sometimes.

And we were off.
As we got out the car at 7am we were not even sure where it started! How did you get up to Tarbert Castle?
Annie got us on the trail and we set off under an amazing rainbow, always a good sign for me, Jo is around.

My brother called to wish us luck and laugh at the thought of us walking 26 miles. He said the sun was coming out so that was fab news.

It was dry, at that point that was all that mattered. 
Stunning scenes coming out of Tarbert, the light was amazing and as we got up high it was breathtaking.

We hiked and chatted quite happily, warming up and enjoying it more by the second as the weather was defo in our favour. We even stopped and took some layers off.
Then we came to a dead end, 2 hours in.
4 options. Straight on, left,right or back. No trail, no signs just bogs and tree fell everywhere.
We went straight on, wrong.
I went along left, wrong.
Annie went back, wrong. (actually this was right too but we did not realise till after)
Then we got the map and the good old iphone compass out because we also had no reception.
My feet were soaking in my trainers by this point and I thought this could be bad news.
With the compass and map we decided it could only be right, so off we went over this boggy marshland.
We got some phone signal and I called my daughter to see if she could help us out, but no answer.
We were laughing at the fact we were lost and knew noone would be surprised!

Then we saw of forestry sign ahead which meant a road, and we realised we were back on trail, what a great feeling, wooohoooo.
Happy and chirpy to have solved our problem we carried on.
The scenery and nature is amazing up there and we were getting right into it now, taking loads of pics.
Then we came down and could see Arran clearly and the end of the first leg was in sight.
We came down the big hill in Skipness with the promise of a coffee, bright sunshine, white beaches and the sight of the end of the first leg leaving us pretty dam happy.

This took us about 4 hours, we were not quite at Claonig but we felt good and strong and totally confident we could do the next let too.
My wet feet were fine but my right hip was a bit painful.

We enjoyed a coffee and some food at the Skipness shop, sat on the beach for 20 minutes enjoying the stunning view of Arran.
On we went, off track again, but quickly back on. Some of the signs make no sense and are not clear, so watch out for that if you do it.
Up the hill out of Claonig and across the hills to Clachan.
Again the views were amazing.
When we got into the hill the Spring flowers were awesome. We saw some rabbits, deer, cool birds of prey, not sure what they were.
My body started to feel significantly heavier. Annie holds a good pace but my hip was causing me grief proper now.
We stopped again had more food and water.

I did some EFT here to release the pain, and to release my frustration at my body not being able to do this with no training.

My camel back is not opening so I had to stop to get water and open it up and drink from the filling side, very annoying.
Annie had got a new one from her sister and is happy as larry hydrating as she goes.
The last 2 hours of our 10 hour day was torture.
It tells you how many miles you have to go. I was in agony and it looked like it would be 6 by the time we got in.
We passed this wee loch and Annie said Balinakill has fishing rights here, she thought we were closer that the posts indicated?
Just as I was getting really concerned about my hip we came over the hill and could see the water on the other side.
Clachan!
Ahhhhhh the joy, the excitement as we came into this stunning bluebell forest.
Balnakill came into sight and I was over the moon.
Coming down the steep hill I was limping big time!
We had lost 5 miles somewhere?
We did not give a shit, ecstasty at the sight of our favourite home.
We got in the car delighted with ourselves 
Still wondering about the distance?
Turns out we had looked at the second stretch in kilometres!
Oh Halllelujah, that turned out in our favour lol. Eeejits.
Never been so happy to see that majestic stunning house. I love it so much and love going there, but this was different!

I was super lame so went to bed early with the excitement of watching Outlander in my bed.
We organised all our food the the next day and rested up.
I was not sure walking again was going to happen for me.
Our sailing friend called in to pick up their gear from Carolyns where we are staying.
After they left we realised they had taken all our food, my toothbrush AND the vaseline.
So we will need to shop, lets see how the legs feel walking to the co!
Will I make stage 3, only one way to find out.

Tomorrow morning me and my pal Annie set off to walk the first 2 sections of the Kintrye Way in one day, 26 miles.
Annie owns and runs a 12 bed private Country home in Clachan, the perfect place to base yourself if you want to do this stunning walk with some luxury and style.

Starts off at Tarbert Castle and ends up in Machrahanish.
Kintrye is one of the most stunning peninsulas in the world and I look forward to the views and the experience.
But and its a big one, my body has not been itself for the last year and I have spent the last 4 months healing it and getting it back to full power. 
During this time the body felt exhausted and stiff with aches and pains everywhere, plus it felt tight like the muscles could snap and or break. As someone who is used to being super fit and active, I found this really upsetting along with debilitating.
This is very typical post menopausal women although it took a while for it to dawn on my that is what it was.

Some tell you well you are getting on a bit now, but I know you can change the body whenever you choose and discipline your cellf so I have set about it. 
I feel much, much better now, there are still some twinges but nothing like what I had.
So walking 100 miles will be interesting.
The last time I did anything so arduous was 4 years ago climing volcanoes in Uganda. Boy was it hard, but felt good afterwards. I hiked the Annapurna circuit in Nepal but that was a hefty 15 years ago. Things have changed since then!
Anyway lets see.
I will keep you posted.
High fat and protein foods, want to tone up a bit and drop some belly fat. 

I was incensed to see the protests against the new T in the Park venue. 
Along with being incensed that they had to move in the first place.
I have always had a big problem with adults and rules, especially ones that spoil fun for no reason.

Grown ups. Avoid them at all costs.

Over 10 years ago I stood outside my first T and looked around in wonder at the hugeness of the Creation.

I thought "I want to meet the guy who had the balls to make this happen".

A few years later I was in the Brunswick Hotel in Glasgow and I was introduced to a lovely, humble man named Geoff Ellis.
3000 questions later I smiled at the fact I actually got to meet the guy who had been instrumental in creating one of the best festivals in the World.

Anyone who steadfastly keeps to their goals no matter what the system throws at you deserves a medal in my opinion.
Why anyone would want to create a business in the Country is beyond me.
It is almost like they are testing you to see if they can break you. Obstacle after obstacle till you either break or make.
Geoff and his crew have overcome every bullshit and legit rule and regulation and I am so delighted that this is all going ahead.

But why oh why do we not strive to make this easy for him rather than hard?
T in the Park bring huge pleasure to millions of people, not just the ones lucky enough to be there but also for all who enjoy the streaming and recordings of the incredible range of music for the ears of all ages and tastes.
Given that Scots have one of the worst health records in the World let me tell you why T in the Park is good for our health.

Fresh air, sunshine and mud

It is essential for us to spend time outside. There are a variety of reasons for this but the main biggy is Vit D.
3 days in the fresh air is beyond brilliant for your health.
Mud is full of healthy bacteria and we need these little guys to boost our immune system so more immune system boosting here.

Music

The benefits of music have been known for centuries but massively underplayed in the West.
Music rearranges matter, helps up to relax and let go, causes elevation in our vibration leaving us feeling good on every level.

Laughter and fun


We do not laugh enough now adays in our big, serious, adult world. At this festival you will meet with your mates, have quality time off and have a blast with all the new people you will undoubtedly meet. Laughing is a brilliant way to let go and release.

Community and social integration


We now lead very separate lives and are often too busy to hang with our family and friends.
The festival atmosphere creates one enormous Festival family and you create bonds and make new friends while looking after each other and enjoying being round the campfire listening to the beats.


Exercise


You will move and dance more over this weekend than you probably do all year.
Add in all the miles you walk too as the site is so huge, you have ticked every box on the healing plan.

Gratitude and Appreciation

2 of the top vibrations to be beaming out no matter what. You will experience this effortlessly at T.
Having all your top bands and Dj's under the one roof and usually all of your besties too and this year new venue looks to be off the charts spectacular.

Therapies

There is now so much on offer at this festival, you can use the time to chill out, get your hair done, have a massage or treatment. Whatever you are doing at the festival, if it feels good it is therapy.

Hydration and Nutrition

Always good to drink a lot of water and eat a ton of good protein etc when you are partying.
Again huge variety on offer here.

Clearly it can be the time of excess too, but as long as we retain an element of balance you will always be better for the experience.

T in the Park rocks.

Here's to Geoff and his dynamic team, the obstacles are cleared, rocknrollllllllllllllllllllll.