Debbie Adams / Start of the Solo Day – The sound of silence

I’m awoken by a bell at 5.30am and struggle to locate the gear I’ve laid out so I can get to the bell tent for 6am. It’s strange to navigate around 11 other people in total silence. Non-verbal communication skills come to the fore. What’s the international symbol for ‘ do you think I have packed enough warm clothes and food to ensure that I’ll not freeze or starve’ ? Feel slightly panicked as I’m sure I’ll not have something vital with me (like a helicopter to rescue me should the going get tough) but also feel strangely calm as I think the day should take care of itself. My mental plan is:

• Find a space with a good view of the sea and not too many beasties
• Ensure said space is on a bit of Knoydart we’ve not already been too (that rules out the beach our tent is on and the scarily uneven ankle-breaking hill we walked up yesterday)
• Hang out and see what happens (Plan B – if nothing useful happens create lots of ‘to do’ lists for when I get back so the day isn’t wasted)

Heading out of the tent while it was still dark and walking through the village at half-light was pretty special. Felt really peaceful so was quite pleased to be heading out. After passing a yappy dog I came across a baby deer (I’ll admit to first thinking it was a large dog – I blame a city-centre upbringing and the earlier yappy dog). We stopped and looked each other up and down. It didn’t care for what it saw and hot-tailed it to the forest. I carried on to find “the spot” to spend my day.