Well - it was a slow photo day! Just to prove that the sun does shine in Scotland.
The shape of things to come. In the middle distance (if you enlarge the image) are the high rise buildings of Glasgow. In the distance are the hills that await me on the West Highland Way.
Some of the 650 riders taking part in the charity ride organised by James Cracknell. Steve regrettably is not in the picture.After such a good day yesterday it was probably to be assumed that today would not be the same, and so it proved. Steve who walked 2 days with me in the South West is taking part in the James Cracknell bike ride from John O'Groats to lands End in 9 days. I found out yesterday that we would be travelling in opposite directions on the B7078 today. Jean and I therefore made an early start to try to see Steve ride by. However although we saw nearly all 650 go past we didn't see Steve. Our theory is that he took the advice that I gave him last night to use the very good cycle path rather than the threadbare road. The problem caused by this is that the path is to the left of the trees that can be seen in the photo - so we wouldn't have seen him. Jean however was compensated by James Cracknell waving to us as he went past.
The good news today was that I received a text telling me that there is a full page article about my walk in the Coventry Telegraph today. This contains the blog address - so welcome to any new readers.
Waiting to see Steve allowed me to spend an hour or so birdwatching in the Lanarkshire countryside- something that my need to do the miles doesn't normally allow me to do. This allowed me to see a snipe displaying, when they fly somewhat like a bat but also make a noise called "drumming" which makes it sound like a flying vuvuzela. The other bird spotting highlight today was to see the first redshank of the trip.
In terms of walking I did 18 miles along the B7078 to reach Larkhall. Most of the route was on good cycle paths on quite roads. However the few miles after Blackwood was a nightmare as not only did the cycle path disappear there was often no proper verge to retreat to - this was certainly worrying as there was an inordinate number of quarry lorries speeding along the road.
The scenery today was not very interesting,being flatter and more developed as I approach Glasgow.
I have received an email from Martin (who walked 2 days with me in Warks and Staffs) in which he gently reprimands me for not including sufficient details of the problems that I have encountered. He says that with the football not being so good and some of the soaps being cancelled he needs my blog to give him some drama. The best that I can come up with today is that I have an occasional very slight pain in my left calf. My shins and left ankle are perfectly serviceable on flat ground (although I am still taking painkillers as a precaution), but I am a little concerned that I will find the going tougher when these problems are exposed to the tougher terrain of the West Highland Way. There you are Martin - some suspense for you as well.
Tomorrow I walk through Glasgow. My original plan was to walk along the Clyde Way to Partick where we are staying the night. However I am considering changing this plan and to walk along the city streets in order to save a few miles of walking. This will then hopefully put me into a position to start the WHW on Thursday. I will make the final decision later tonight.
As well as seeing James Cracknell, Jean had a good day visiting New Lanark which is a World Heritage Site, just outside Lanark. As well as enjoying an interesting visit she was pleased to find the place having failed to find Wigan Pier and the Ribble Steam Railway on the trip so far.
"As a nation we are dedicated to keeping physically fit - and parking as close to the stadium as possible." - Bill Vaughan
Cheers
Keith
