Go hiking, they said. It'll be fun, they said

I like to try new things. So when my date suggested a hike in the Scottish highlands, I readily agreed. I’d never been, but how hard could it be?

Four hours later, I found myself crawling on my hands and knees, and not in a fun way.

How can I describe the experience? I’ve heard the views are lovely when they’re not obscured by dense grey fog. I’m afraid I was too busy hiding my face from the pelting rain to chance much of a look, fervently hoping my waterproofs were up to snuff.

I think I became aware of how not well it was going well when I found myself five minutes from the summit and heard myself asking out loud: “Is it even worth it?”

It was marginally worth it, because at the top my date pulled out a snack bar which he graciously shared with me.

The descent took its toll on my knees but provided some brief entertainment with my date falling over. That will teach him for telling me it’s good to get out of my comfort zone! What can I say; I’m an unapologetic fan of creature comforts. The wind threatened to topple me too, but I’m a tall lady with rather a long way to fall and I managed to resist.

I’m used to navigating the world in stilettos – well, hurriedly changing in and out of them in lifts – and it turns out I’ll take them over hiking boots any day.