Our departure for England to walk the Coast to Coast Path is fast approaching. Just 6 sleeps left – well, I am probably too excited to actually call them sleeps. This time next week, we’ll be on our adventure!
As we put the final touches on what we will be packing for this trip, I started thinking about some of the must-have items that I take with me every time. The little things that I realized over many trips are my must-haves. I thought I would share these must-haves with you to see if they might be helpful for any future trips you might be taking. They are not specific to my usual long-distance path adventures, even though those are mostly what I talk about here on Running for the Gate. For any travel, here we go ..
- Carabiner! A large carabiner is a must-have. You do not need the super-expensive, official carabiner used by actual rock climbers. Rather, I am talking about a large carabiner that you can often find in your Canadian Tire, outdoor store, department store, etc. They are fantastic for hooking onto the seat back on a plane or train to keep your bag or hat off the ground, for clipping on to your backpack so you can hang your shoes instead of jamming them inside or to hang wet socks to dry or your hat when you do not need to be wearing it. They are also fantastic for clipping your bags together when sitting in airports and train stations to make them harder to swipe (swiper no swiping!).
- Ziplocks! A combination of a couple of large and a few sandwich-sized sized ziplocks are a must-have. Roll them up into a tiny little tube, and they can be tucked in any small spot in your backpack. These little beauties are fantastic for your sunscreen that exploded, the snacks you opened like a wild beast and now the package cannot be closed again, the cheese and bread you grabbed in the morning to eat on the train or on the path for lunch, as a small trail time garbage to pack out what you packed in, etc. So small and light to carry, and so mighty in what they can do for you.
- Stuff sack for laundry! A stuff sack that you can use for your dirty laundry is a must-have. No matter what kind of travelling you’re doing – hiking or tourist, or a combo – dirty clothes are exactly that, dirty (and often stinky too). You do not need them tucked in next to your clean clothes. That just makes more dirty clothes. I use a stuff sack for my dirty laundry so it is separated, and so I can squish it down so it does not take up as much room. For some reason, dirty clothes feel like they take up more space. Not sure if that is just me or science. A stuff sack keeps them separate, small, and gives you a cute little bag to carry them to the laundromat with too. I toss my stuff sack into the wash with the dirty clothes and then pull it out before the dryer so it gets clean too.
- Book! A book is a must-have. I do not mean a book on my phone. I mean an actual physical book. I love reading, so there is that, but I mostly love that a book is a big ole, global signal for do not talk to me. I travel alone quite a bit, and that means I want to be alone, not talk to strangers, and am here for the peace and quiet. Not a stranger’s chatter. I find that once I have my nose in a book, no one approaches me. I have my book, my pint in a pub, or a coffee in a shop, and I am free to enjoy my me time. Bonus: from behind a book, you can also secretly people watch and for sure people listen while it looks like you are just quietly reading, not being a Nosey Nellie.
- White noise app! A white noise app or some sort of sleeping sound is a must-have. I find that every hotel, B&B, and campsite has its own sounds at night, and I find it really distracting. The elevator in the hotel hallway or the crunchy sound at the campsite that you are convinced is either a bear or a creepy vampire can ruin your sleep. A white noise app is an easy way to set a quiet and constant noise in any place you sleep. It signals to your body it’s sleepy time and helps you ignore some of those new sounds that may interrupt your sleep.
- Copy of your passport! A copy of your passport is a must-have. Take this with you just in case your real passport is stolen or missing, but I suggest you take a digital copy (password protected). This way, you have a copy to show the Embassy to get yourself a new one if yours is lost. I also leave a digital or hard copy behind with my husband. That way, should something happen to me, he has the info needed for the authorities to check borders and other passport checks to find me. (Bonus: also leave behind a very detailed itinerary, including the phone numbers of places you stay, just in case your loved ones need to reach you and you have no cell coverage.
Those are my must-haves, and it will probably not surprise you to hear that they are already packed for my departure in 6 sleeps. Did I mention 6 sleeps?
Brandé
Leaving our B&B, the amazing owner woman lady (I feel so bad I can’t remember her name) knowing our love of Helian Coo’s offered to take us out to her family’s pasture where she raises them for a ‘wee look’ before she drops us off at the start of our day – heck yah!We met Aggie a beautiful brown mom nd her baby, and another black Coo (I don’t remember her name) and her babe – they are absolutely adorable! Standing in a classic scotch mist rain seeing Helian Coo’s – now that’s quintessential!
Oh my goodness they even have a Coo named Pippa and she knows her own name. The B&B gal called it out and all the way across the field Pippa raised her head and made to come our way! She is the Coo way way across the field.
Once we got our Coo time in, we were dropped off in Machrie (where we were picked up yesterday) to start our day of walking … with standing stones! Oh wow, wow, wow. Sadly, Rosa did not hear the buzzing of bees and find Jamie Fraser but we had an awesome time all the same!
Overall I think there was 3 or maybe 4 standing stone circles in that field – some more impressed than others in size but all pretty awesome to see. Our standing stones excursion was a 3km+ detour and worth every blister bandaid step! Just amazing how they have stood the test of time. From the standing stones we made our way the couple of km to King’s Cave. This is the cave where Robert the Bruce hid out and they say spoke to the spider who changed the course of Scotland. I have heard many a cave claim the Robert and spider story so I am not sure about that but it was amazing all the same!The walk to the King’s Cave Park area was 1.6km on the road but once there it was the most amazing path trough the forest and across the hill top then down a rock gulley to the shore – beautiful!
From the King’s Cave we continued along the coast on a gassy knoll just above the boulders on the beach heading towards Drumadoon cliffs and Blackwaterfoot town for lunch. This section of trail is so far my favourite! Easy underfoot on the knoll and then entertaining boulder hopping with amazing views of the ocean to the right and imposing beautiful cliffs to the right – wow!
We wrapped up this morning with a 1km+ beach walk to bring us into Blackwaterfoot for lunch. We hit the Post Office/Liquor Store/Grocer to refill snacks and suck for our packs and then grabbed some lunch from On A Roll.I had a very tasty Scotch Pie and the rest of the crew enjoyed super fresh sandwiches. Sitting outside at a picnic table we enjoyed our lunch, took care of any feet concerns, and reviewed the trail info for the afternoon.Once back on the path, our next milestone was Preacher’s Cave at about km 1.6 – we found it. It is a massive triangle shaped cave that was used as a church in the early 1800s. Pretty neat to see! From here the guide book describes the path as ‘tortuous’ over boulder fields grown over with vegetation making for difficult and uneasy footing with very few way markers. Bang on!
Well the description was correct .. but we loved it! The sun came out, the stepping up and over and across to the different rocks was entertaining, and the conversation was great. For sure our speed slowed right down as every second stone was an ankle breaker but we didn’t care – we were happy as clams out there and we saw a seal!From this tortuous path we made our way up a very steep – outside of my comfort zone – hill to the top of the cliffs where we rejoined the road.
Once up the hill, we took in the amazing view and changed from boots to shoes and continued walking. We had 6.8km left to cover on the road to reach our evenings destination, the Lagg Hotel built in 1971.We walk on the side of the road where the traffic is coming at us so we can give them a chance to see us and give us some space or we can jump into the ditch. There is no shoulder on these roads and barely enough room for cars to pass so it’s a little sketchy but easy underfoot.At 3.8km we happened past a bus stop and hmmmm don’t mind if we do! We didn’t come here to walk on roads – we came to walk on paths and when there is no path, we are outta here! Sure it was only a 3.8km trek and only saved us about 30mins but wow did our feet thank us!
We made it to the Lagg Hotel at just after 6pm our earliest at night so far! We checked in and even had time to shower and get into clean clothes before dinner, which was booked for 830pm. It was so nice to have our home right in the very place we were enjoying a cold pint and our meal.
We even met the hotel owner who lives part-time in the Calgary area, just like 3 of our peeps! Lots of chat about the Calgary area ensued. We finished the night off with a wee dram of Arran Gold Liquor (like a really good and more real Baileys) liberally poured by Peter and then headed to bed – all secretly hoping the rain in the forecast was a bad weatherman’s joke.
Brande
Today was quite the Arran Coastal Way kick off … perhaps a little trial of fire really with such high temperatures, 27km distance, bouldering, beach walking, hill climbing and wardrobe malfunctions. Amazing every step of it, wow what an experience. We began our day with a yummy continental breakfast at our B&B, The Broomage, after a decent night’s sleep. Most of us were up a few times in the night – our brains refusing to adjust too quickly to Scots time from west coast Canada time but we felt rested and ready all the same. Breaky in, water bladders full, and packs on we headed out the door to start our walk – there may have even been some high 5s! We headed to the start of the trail which is marked with a really cool map of Arran on this big stone slab thing – I am not doing it justice with that description haha! 
The day started with a walk along the path, boardwalk and across the beach around the Brodick Harbour. Easy walking makes for such nice start to the day – lots of good conversation and a good way to get the muscles warmed up.
From there we progressed from beach to forested path. Now we are talking! This is the kind of walking I love – in the trees, shaded from the sun, lots of up and down and stepping over roots and across little streams. We were still feeling amazing! 
Once through the forested section, we arrived in Corrie & Sannox a string of small villages along the coast. This had us walking on the road for a few kms and gave us a chance to stop for a wee spot of tea and some cookies! 
From there we were off for a bit more road walking and then refreshingly back to coast line. About an hour or so later we stopped for a sea side picnic, boots off to give the toes a break and some air, some more sunscreen and we were off again. 
The afternoon was much tougher that the morning but wow was it amazing. We were back on the coast but now this was a rough coastline with loads of scrambling or bouldering – the views were amazing and the terrain fun to walk but this is the type of trail that’s hard on the body and oh I love it. But wow those random moments of flat terrain were such a welcome break for the tired ankles!
Wow – after 10 hours of hiking, a total of 53,640 steps and 4,939 calories we finally arrived in the cutest little coastal town of Lochranza. This town could not have come sooner – we were tired! Some of us switched from boots to shoes to give the feet a break and all of us enjoyed a few Haribo chewy candies (coke bottles, fried eggs and such) for a boost for the last couple of kms. Mmm Once in Lochranza, we headed straight to the Lochranza Hotel. The only place you can get food in town and only until 830pm (and it was already 7pm). The gulp of that cold pint was a dream! Oh like you have no idea – too good. We had a yummy dinner out on the hotel lawn at a picnic table with with views of the old Lochranza Castle across the harbour. You could tell we were tired, loads of giggles and laughing till we cry moments! Best finish ever to an awesome day!BrandePS for the Outlander fans out there … despite multiple attempts, Rosa has not yet heard the buzzing of bees. No worries though, our scientific endeavour to find Jamie Fraser will continue! 
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