A view of the path on the Great Glen Way - trees for mile after mile!
At Fort Augustus, on Loch Ness, for a coffee stop when I found Nessie.
A pretty lock keepers cottage 4 miles south of Fort Augustus.Like yesterday I found it very difficult to find suitable subjects to photo today. The first 5 miles today, from Aberchalder to Fort Augustus, were along the Caledonian Canal. The views were pleasant if not spectacular. However after leaving Fort Augustus the next 16 miles were entirely on Forestry Commission land which meant hours walking along good paths but with only the occasional glimpse of Loch Ness, which was often well below the path. As I have said before walking on forest paths is not inspiring and it is all but impossible to be sure what progress you are making. After lunch at Invermoriston I estimated that I had 7 miles before meeting Jean at the end of the day and so we agreed to meet at 4.30 at the end of a very narrow minor road which went into the forest. In the event I probably underestimated the distance and also did not take into account that the path literally went uphill for at least 3 miles. This combination meant that I was almost an hour late - and could not inform Jean because she couldn't get a signal on her phone. Luckily she had worked out that I was walking further than I had anticipated and was not panicking too much.
I had no problems from my ankle or shins today. Still no blisters !
One thing that I have noticed about the waterways in Scotland is the dearth of bird life. So even when I can see the lochs etc there is very little bird life to see.
I have decided to continue on the GGW to Inverness rather than to leave it at Drumnadrochit as originally planned. Although the GGW has been a big disappointment; I have missed a little bit out by taking short cuts; and the remaining 18 miles after D'hit do not sound to be an improvement - I think that I would prefer to see the rest for myself. The LEJOG guide book that I have suggests that it is best to carry on to Inverness as the alternative route from D'chit is largely on an A road. It will also be good to stay in Inverness on Tuesday as it is Jean's birthday and I think that she deserves a good meal in celebration and as a thank you for all of her support work.
I saw the 9th man wearing a kilt today. He was a busker playing the bagpipes at the exit to a car park. The others have been - 5 men attending a formal dinner in Lockerbie; a waiter at the Drovers Inn at Inverarnan; and 2 members of a pipe band in Fort William. I will give you a full update of the trip stats tomorrow.
Talking of tomorrow I plan to walk to about 5 miles south of Inverness. If achieved this will leave me with a further 132 miles to go to reach JOG.
"Now shall I walk or shall I ride ? Ride - Pleasure said. Walk - Joy replied" - WH Davis.
Cheers
Keith
