I pitched up here on this lovely knoll about a quarter a mile beyond the north end of Lochan Fada, where I'm well pleased with a long and hot 25 mile day behind me, bringing me down to single figures for tomorrow morning's reamainder tramp to Beauly. The water around here was scarce and brackish and I'm almost out of camping-gas as wel! So not much of a celebration tonight. However I met a lass who was doing an environmental study on the likely impact of a proposed windfarm planned for the hills on the left of picture, (Beinn a' Chlaonaidh) She apologised for the fact that she would be driving past my tent at 3am.! but we all have to earn our living. Anyway in the wee sma' hours I heard the land rover approaching and then stopping, the door opened and she announced the wonderful news "I've brought you a flask of boiling water for your tea in the morning" An angel indeed. Apparently the ability to postpone immediate gratification is a marker for a higher intelligence, well I failed the test and had my brew there and then, and it was bloody marvellous too...

Silly Fawn accompanied me to the Food University Event at IKEA. Two television chefs were there doing cooking demonstrations. I felt guilty that I wasn't working, but I had fun with Fawn! This event certainly drew a big enough crowd for the challenge!

Jim Petrosino

Stowell

F. Molisani