June 14: 96 miles down (minus 6)

I cheated.  6 miles worth of cheating.  Is that so bad?

Getting into shape takes some time.  I wasn’t in terrible shape before I started, but not exactly 20-mile-a-day-with-backpack-on kind of shape.  Not yet.  I’m getting there.  

But I wanted to meet Siobhan in Glasgow so I could go to her house and have a real shower, sleep in a real bed, and have a real dinner with real social interactions around the TV.  So, I cheated.  Just a little!

My feet wouldn’t last another 20 mile day, so I cut off 6 by hopping over from Balmaha to Drymen.  It was still a 14 mile day, and the spectacular scenery of the mountains and Loch Lomond had already been finished with, so I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything.

I’ve woke up at 11 this morning, have had 5 cups of tea, and watched a bad rom-com on the couch.  And now I’m refreshed and ready to head off to Skelmorlie tomorrow and tackle another trail, the Ayrshire Coastal Path.  

The only problem is that I tell people I’m doing a certain set of miles, and I feel holden to that promise.  

So, do you forgive me?  Pleeeease?

Happy Hiking!   

June 12: Loch Lomond and Inversnaid Nature Preserve

At the end of Loch Lomond, and my feet are hurting, hurting hard.  I have a strong desire to throw my entire backpack into the Loch, and run free like a crazy woman along the forest path, slapping at midges and wearing only one change of clothes until they have holes.  (The latter part not far from the truth).  

Yesterday I picked my way over the roots and rocks and boulders of Inversnaid Nature Preserve, through an on and off drizzle and clouds of midges that swarmed every exposed piece of skin if I stood still for five seconds.  

It was one of those days where I wouldn’t have chosen to hike, if I had a choice and a warm bed.  I suppose I do have a choice, but I also have a schedule.  A challenge is a challenge for a reason, I guess, and dealing with pain and discomfort sometimes lead to more fullfillment in the end.

But it was one of those days.  And around 11:30 I realized I had only walked 3 miles, and that was so ridiculous that I actually laughed out loud.  The walk was up and down through forest, up steep hills, and convulted around roads and railway stations.  I’d seen prettier places.  It wasn’t bad, but didn’t compare to the mountains I was coming from, especially now as the clouds were hanging low overhead.  Maybe that’s why most people should go south to north, because after the northern section everything else comes off a bit lackluster.  

So I was walking along in a mood matching the weather, but when I got to Loch Lomond two things happened:  first, my pace slowed way down, because suddenly I was picking my way over slippery, knotted, mossy, rocky trail.  Second, the trail became much, much more interesting.  My feet still hurt, but I was entranced enough to continue walking.  

 While the scenery in the north is big and full of views, the forest became a micro-bounty of wonderful things.  Blue and white flowers spread across the forest floor.  Ferns uncurled themselves towards the misty sky.  Waterfalls and streams spurt from every rock wall.  If fairies existed, they would live here.  

This unexpected beauty gave me a little more energy, enough to find a good camping spot, set up my tent in the worsening drizzle, and say goodnight at 9:00.  

 

At Immigration

“How long will you be here?”

“52 days.”

“And what will you be doing for 52 days?”

“Walking.”

“Walking?”

“Yeah.  Walking, hiking.”

“For all 52 days?”

“More or less…”

…

“Well I’ll let you walk for 52 days, if that’s what you want to do.”

I’m in!  Walking begins today after the famous train journey through the Highlands to Fort William.  Wish me luck!  And take a look at my firstgiving page 😉

A Scottish Highlands Preview

This Christmas vacation I spent some time in northern Scotland, searching for Nessie and wishing for snow (I got none).  In fact, I was in the same area from which I will be starting my walk in June.  I’m happy to say that the views impressed, the people were friendly, and a long bus ride from London to Inverness made my stomach flip in anticipation as we followed curving two lane roads through mountains and over rivers, speckled with flocks of sheep, and peaks dusted with snow.  I did no hiking this trip, but oh trust me, I have no doubts about what I’m soon to do in only 4 months time (can it be so SOON?!)

What’s even better is that I’ve just about convinced a friend to join me for this first part of the trek, which will make stepping out into unknown and foreign territory a little easier!