Christine's walking & birds blog

Greger has identified seven stages to my hill-walking projects.

1.     Planning optimism on sofa with map in hand:  "This hill looks close to the road, not a very long
        walk-in - we could even bag two Munros in one walk!"
2.     Day-before anxiety:  "I'm not sure I can do it tomorrow. I feel as though I'm catching a cold. I've
        got pains in my knees/hips/head."
3.     Start-off determination: "What a lovely morning! I feel okay, we can do this."
4.     Hard-phase despondency - usually about two hours into walk on unrelentingly steep slope/peat
        hags/spongy grass/heather-and-bog: "I can't do this any more. I don't think I can get to the top."
5.     High-ground elation: "This is wonderful, look at the views, it was hard work but I can still do it,
        look at the ptarmigan/eagle/ring ouzel - this makes it all worthwhile."
6.     Never again. During the long trek out (after just one Munro) and the drive home: "I can't do this
        any more, that was my last mountain, I'm hanging up my walking boots."
7.     Next-day recovery and second thoughts: "I don't feel so bad now - and I'd really love to see
        dotterel again..."

Start again at Stage 1.