WHW Day 4: Complete and Wanted to Stop Sooner!

Pour ceux qui preferent francais, esseyer le bouton "translate" a gauche :). And Susan, you make a very good point - sorry! I'd made a huge leap and didn't explain the gap....my attempted bridge construction....yes! I'm back in Europe!! Both of my parents are doing significantly better. My dad's surgery went amazingly well and he's now back to work. My mom can walk and drive again, life has nearly returned to a pre-trauma status. Seeing as there was no longer a need for me at home, and seeing as I had a flight to Paris with my name on it, I jumped at the opportunity. Here I am now walking the WHW in Scotland. :) And Chantal, you make a very good point as well - I was getting too sleepy for my update and didn't bring it back around to fill in the "more" of why I was so happy I'd stopped. The bath was definitely a big part of it, but also the whole atmosphere of the place. Built in 1707, it had a ton of character, with sagging floors and ceilings, tartan carpets, and a slew of taxidermied animals including a bear to greet you. Look up Drover's Inn in Inverarnan if you're intrigued. It was such a fun and unique place to stay!!! Now on to today.... Oh my. I was ready to stop about 3 miles before my actual end point. Feet were really unhappy and cramping. Massaging my own feet has never felt so incredible!! :) I'm a little suspicious that plantar fasciitis might take this opportunity to present itself, but am currently rolling my feet on a golf ball for more massage. :) The low-down of day 4!!! Celebrating : NO RAIN (WAAAAHOOOOOO),NO MIDGES, NO MOSQUITOES, NO BLISTERS, NO CHAFING!! I'm spectacularly excited about all of the above. Disappointment of the day - way less remote than I was expecting. Very few moments of tranquility where I could just stop and soak in nature without the noise of traffic in the back (or fore!!) ground. Bummer!! Highlights of the day include lots of fall colors, TWO golden eagle sightings (or at least I'm almost positive),ample blue sky in the morning (such a lovely sight!), enough sun to create a shadow for two minutes (!!! took a pic of that rarity), and the Loch of the Legend of the Lost Sword where Robert the Bruce's sword may be! :) Only 750 meters worth of detours today for a waterfall and a Holy Pool. Official start time : 8:45 am, end time 6:15 pm. Made better time than expected. Today's trail was much less technical than yesterday, which significantly improved my average pace. Last bit of excitement for the day : my camera still works! Yesterday I clumsily threw my camera to the ground while taking off my fleece and I was worried I'd killed it, but it's resilient :) took over 200 pictures today. Looking forward to resting my feet overnight and then getting going again tomorrow!!