No quitters allowed!

For some reason I was sharing with my dad this story from my trip to Scotland earlier this year and it inspired a new blog post...

My first hill walk was in Falkland where Mr. Moreland took me up to Craigsmead car park via Maspie Den, then to Maiden's Fort and back to Falkland via the Bruce Monument. Thanks to an Instagram post with these details, I'm able to map out that walk for you. Anyway, it took us a good 4 hours to walk it -- probably take Ross less than half the time if I wasn't lagging behind! -- and by the end of it I was knackered! Pretty damn good experience though and at the end of the day I really enjoyed it. But that's where I learned that you should never trust a Scotsman when he says, "it's just up that wee hill" because that "wee" hill is more like a mountain for a city girl like me! Anyway, I managed to survive that and I also managed to come out alive after Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. Not that I was all of a sudden an expert outdoors(wo)man after those two experiences, but since I was still in one piece I thought the Lomond Hills would be a breeze.

Maspie Den

I heart snow!

It was the day before I was flying out and Ross wanted to take me hill walking one more time before I left. So we went back to Falkland and geared up for a little walk up East Lomond (also known as Falkland Hill). Ross pointed out the hill and it didn't look like it would be too difficult so off we went. It started off quite flat and I enjoyed walking past the sheep chewing on the grass and admired the snow-covered Scottish landscape.

Just chillin'

East Lomond

We came across an old lime kiln and learned that the Lomond Hills are made up of limestone, sandstone, and volcanic rock. Some 150 years ago the limestone was quarried and the existing paths are the same ones the people back in the day used to transport the limestone. It was pretty cool walking down the paths and imagining exactly what used to go on there. It also offered some awesome photo ops!

The Lomond Hills are made up of limestone, sandstone & volcanic rock

Sharks in the hills?!

Old lime kiln

Sitting on top of an old lime kiln

My view from on top of the lime kiln

We continued on our walk and began our climb up the hill. As usual, it started off quite nice and flat but gradually became steeper -- as it would since it's a hill! -- but I didn't know just how steep it would get. The climb up to Storr wasn't even a match! Mind you, everything was covered in snow and parts in ice so it was proving to be a little more difficult for inexperienced little ol' me. If I remember correctly, we were around halfway up and I was already imagining my fall (roll?) all the way to the bottom. I'm usually okay with heights but this time I was actually scared -- I didn't know whether it would be easier to go back down or keep on going. However, when I looked down towards the flat land, I realised that I wouldn't even know where to begin descending apart from jumping and hoping for no broken bones. As usual, Mr. Adventure himself was making it look like gravity didn't exist. I admire his patience because at some parts he actually had to drag me up while reminding me that once we reached the top I'd get some nice hot tea and tea cakes! Food... yes, it kept me going!

Here we go!

The view below

Mr. Adventure Man has no fear

I can't remember how long it took us but we finally reached the summit and I had to give myself another pat on the back for surviving yet another wee Scottish hill -- all 424 meters (1,591 feet) of it! We found a little spot to sit on and admire the views below and beyond and, as promised, Ross made us some tea and whipped out the delicious tea cakes.

I made it!!!

And of course Ross did too!

Enjoying my well-deserved tea and tea cakes!

After a while I'd noticed a group of young kids -- they couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 years old -- coming up from the other side of the hill. Full of energy and bouncing around, didn't look like they even broke a sweat! I was thinking, "Damn! These Scottish people really are all about the outdoors." Anyway, we finished our snack, packed up, and got ready to head back to the car. I was already so tired from the climb that I'd momentarily forgotten that the walk down would probably exhaust my final bout of energy due to the steepness and nerves. But Ross said not to worry as the descent would be much easier. So off we went and I kept waiting for the land to steepen again, but as we continued on it just got flatter and flatter and before you know it we were back in the car park -- easy peasy! Ross had known about this easy way up/down East Lomond but of course didn't tell me about it! Could've saved me the exhaustion, moaning, and fear for my life. But who am I kidding?! He'd never take -- nor let me take -- the easy way out.

My rock! <3

Again, this is another awesome experience in beautiful Scotland and one that's left an impact on me. I'm going through some difficulties in parts of my life at the moment -- including, but not limited to, moving to Manila, taking on a new job and completely new role, working with a new team, etc. I love a challenge but I'm also human; sometimes feel like I'm at my breaking point and just want to call it quits on certain things. But once I've let off some steam, allowed myself to feel all the emotions, and finally clear my mind, that's when I realise that future Jordyn would be disappointed looking back if I let go and accept defeat. I think one of the most important things as well is to surround yourself with positive people -- those who will listen to you when you need to vent, who will hold your hand, or even those who will drag you by your hair just so you don't tumble downwards. Saying this, you should also be able to know when to raise the white flag. Once you've tried every which way to deal with it or make things better but it's still hurting you and turning you into a negative person, you have to know when to let go on and move on to bigger, better, and brighter things!

Don't be afraid to take on new challenges and go out there with a strong and determined mind. It'll make it easier to overcome the low points, which you will inevitably go through. Remember to surround yourself with the right people and chuck out those negatrons -- you don't need them! Be strong and don't quit -- unless you know you have to.