Day 80: Fairy Pools - Achintee

This morning, Daddy Edu finished his overnight DIY task. Result: the steering wheel sparkling as if it had just come from the dealership! I think it now turns with more style than ever. Afterwards, he started chatting with some English neighbours who travel in a Land Rover with a rooftop tent. Apparently, they loved our camper unit and Daddy gave them an impromptu "van tour". I think we should have charged admission.

At half past twelve, without moving the car or spending a single pound, we walked from our parking spot to the famous Fairy Pools. Ten minutes' walk and we arrived. The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear waterfalls and natural pools cascading down from the Cuillin mountains. They say that if you bathe there, a Scottish fairy grants you a wish. I wished for duck croquettes, we'll see if it works. But wow, so many people! It seemed like all the fairies had invited their friends and relatives. We climbed up to what seemed like the end of the trail, took photos, selfies, and when we were saturated with tourism... back to the car in a flash!

We were in a hurry. It was almost two o'clock and Daddy had arranged to meet May, Len, Douglas, and Janice at a restaurant at the foot of Ben Nevis, at five o'clock sharp. The plan? To have a combined lunch-dinner, or what's called 'linner' in camper talk. 170 kilometres of Scottish asphalt lay ahead, so we only stopped briefly: first to refuel diesel and then at a hidden car park, where Daddy took an outdoor shower while I watched over the ferns.

We arrived at quarter to five at the car park where our friends from Malaga and Gibraltar had their motorhomes. I stayed in the camper, which already smelled of dinner with a view, and the humans went to eat at the restaurant which was, literally, wall to wall. Daddy says they ate very well. The other four had just climbed Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the whole United Kingdom. A big climb, a dip in spirits. Rain, fog, cold, and not a single miserable view from the summit. "Did I climb all the way up for this?" some wondered. Daddy Edu, who wanted to climb tomorrow, is thinking twice... or three times.

After the meal, the four dragged themselves back to their motorhomes like exhausted heroes. Then Daddy and I took a gentle stroll. We went up a little way along the Ben Nevis path, just to have a look, but not far. About two miles round trip, just enough to stretch our legs. And now we're here, in the camper, parked among dozens of motorhomes, with the rain drumming on the roof as if rehearsing a choreography. We're staying here to sleep. Under cover. And no fairies.