The Heart of the Highlands

Thursday and I'm sitting on a bridge by the Kings House Hotel in Glencoe with the breeze blowing and the sun shining.

Home for the night!

This is the most amazing scenery here in the Cairngorms.

13 miles today from Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe.

The weather was really, really bad so decided to stay at the hotel.  I had planned to do a 20-miler but now, instead of having 2 days rest at Fort William I'll have one.

Red Deer from Kings House Hotel - Spectacular!

The view from the hotel is amazing, I can see red deer grazing with wonderful views right down the valley.

I can see clearly...

..now the rain has gone!

A 19 miler today from Inveroran to Bridge of Orchy.

Troll free I'm pleased to report

The first half of the walk was typical.  That is, pouring down with rain, walking over rough terrain through forest.  The second half, however, was fantastic!!!

OMG!

The clouds lifted, the sun shone and the mountains showed themselves properly.  They're awesome, most around 3,000 feet - it was like being in the Alps.

Don't have to put this 'un up in the rain!

After the wet tent of yesterday, staying in a camping "pod" tonight at Pine Trees Site in Tyndrum - it has proper beds AND electricity.  Having chicken in mustard and honey sauce with lyonnaise potatoes for dinner - not bad for a camp fire meal hey?

Scotch Mist

Tuesday was a real tough walk, 18 miles from Milarrochy to Inveroran.  It was particularly tough because it was pouring with rain, the terrain was very rough and the streams were overflowing.

Looking down into Inveroran

It took me 9 hours to cover the distance I would normally to in 6.

After that all I had to do, whilst soaked to the bones, was put my tent up during a thunderstorm. Wahay! :-)

Met a couple of great guys today, Adam and Nathon who are from Stockport and we walked a couple of miles together.


I did see Rob Roy's cave, which was nice.
 

Auld Rab would need a cave to shelter from all the blimmin' rain!


So let me tell you, there is no such thing Scotch mist, it absolutely pours down!



The Bonnie Bonnie Banks...

...of Loch Lohmond is where I am camped tonight.

18 miles today from Milngavie to Milarrochy Bay campsite just north of Balmaha.

A much, much better day today, dry with sunny spells but most importantly it is fantastic to be walking trails again!  It really feels like Scotland now with all the high mountains and, of course, Loch Lomond.

Back on the trails!  Near Balmaha

I've completed 701 miles now and it keeps building - another long walk tomorrow - but all along the Loch.

What an evening!

Sitting on the banks of Loch Lomond with the sun shining and a beer in my hand!  This is the life!

And when I have a couple of drinks on a Sunday....

...Glasgow belongs to me!

Hi all.  Just 11 miles today from Rutherglen to Milngavie.

Milngavie Town Centre

It was all road walking and it took me through Glasgow, which was closed.  Well not actually but there was some major road works and a Race for Life event.

Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow didn't seem to have changed much since I was a wee bairn when I stopped there on my first coastal voyage.  There are new roads and a couple of posh shops but thats about it really.  Glasgow has some truly great buildings but make sure you look up in order to fully appreciate them.

Tomorrow I start the West Highland Way and I am really looking forward to that.  Weather remains good - sunny intervals, good breeze and no rain.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!

Yippee! Walked without my coat on for the first time since Somerset, boy that felt good!

18 miles today from Blackwood to Rutherglen.  Glasgow is just across the river here.

Hagrid was born in Rutherglen

Quite a mundane walk today (hence the piccy above) - all roads and town/city noise.  Still, on the final stretch into Rutherglen the Campsie Fells came into view mid-distance and in the far distance, the Trossachs and Ben Nevis.

Campsite for the next two nights - hot running water - woo!

Tonight I am staying at a motel off a motorway junction and will be there for two nights.  More than anything else it will give me time to get clean!  Day off tomorrow so I'm going to check out Livingstone Museum.

The Sun has got its hat on...

...or probably its Tam O'Shanter in this part of the world!

Much better day today, Thursday,  17 miles from Abington to Blackwood.

Assault Course for the local birds!

I was still on the B7028 but this time it went over the hills and far away from the motorway for the most part.  What you see on this stretch is lots and lots of wind farms.  They dominate the skyline here.  Quarries are also a frequent feature.

Although it was grey for most of the day I'm now sitting in beautiful hot sunshine at the campsite.  I'd forgotten what the sun was like!  Good forecast tomorrow so I'm looking forward to cracking on Glasgow-wards.

The long and winding road...

... that's what the B7808 is, sandwiched between the M74 and the main West Coast Rail Line.

Beattock to Abington today, all 20 long miles of it.  The weather was grey and windy and the walk was uninspiring to say the least!


The B7808 just outside Abington.

 This has been the hardest bit of the walk so far, certainly from a psychological point of view.  I hit "the wall" at 16 miles and it was a real struggle to finish if I'm honest.  That said I did finish and no wall is going to get in my way!
 

If I painted it and watched it dry, I may be more inspired!

On the bright side I met a nice chap last night by the name of Richard from Brixham in the Torbay area,  He's cycling the Land's End to John O'Groats route for Cancer Relief.  We exchanged a few stories and had a coffee.  If you're reading this Richard, "Well Done Mate!".


..und I love to count, Von vunderful car...

Just 13 miles from Lochmarben to Beattock (famous for a bridge designed by Thomas Telford). The walk took me along the B7072, this has got to be the longest and straightest road I know. 




The Old Road Bridge - Designed by Thomas Telford


In 10 miles along the road only 30 cars passed me - I know 'cos I counted (the little games you play to make the miles go by!).  

This bit of the route really is peaceful and quiet - beautiful.

Fish and chips for tea tonight and then back to camp just outside Beattock.

I would walk 1200 miles...

..to paraphrase a famous Scottish group.

Actually today was 22 miles from Gretna to Lochmaben and I felt every one of those miles..

Lochmaben Castle - Look carefully, its behind the trees!

The walk itself was pretty straightforward along the B7020.  As you progress north the hills start coming in to view, it looked just like a patchwork quilt with the sun lighting up the landscape every now and then.

Very little rain today I'm glad to report.

Staying at a new camp site tonight and it's good - Halleath Caravan Park.

I typed too soon!  It's just started to rain!

Bonnie Scotland!

I'm in Scotland!

On Saturday after, quite literally, a marathon - 26 miles from Caldbeck to Gretna Green.

Today was very wet again.  The start from Caldbeck to Carlisle was fine with great views again.  From Carlise I had to go to Longtown in order to cross over the river and the M6.

The Castle at Longtown

I was absolutely determined to get to Gretna Green today so I can say "I'm in Scotland!"

Thank you all again for your comments.  I can and do pick them up on my phone when I'm walking and they do keep me going!

I'm very tired now so some food, a drink and bed methinks!

Dry at last!

Could not get a signal at all on Thurdsay so that made updates difficult.  Technology is all back working now so one we go....
Friday's walk was actually dry!  12 miles from Threkeld to Caldbeck.  Although I wanted to go over the tops of the hills and mountains, because the clouds were so low I thought better of it.  I still managed to get up to 1050ft though.

View from Caldbeck Common

The views from Caldbeck Common were uncommonly good - the Penines to the West, Dumfries and Galloway to the North, the High Lakes to the South and Carrrock and Caldbeck fells to the West.  Treat yourself to a panoramic view by clicking here.

Stayed at a very basic campsite - a field field full of sheep!

Howzat!

Hello from a VERY wet Threlkeld to the east of Keswick.

I'm staying overnight in the cricket pavillion courtesy of a friend of a friend.  Big thanks to Graham and Gillian who are hosting the stay - Gillian is even cooking dinner.  People have been so generous it really is heartwarming to say the least

Beautiful!

The 11 mile walk today was more like a swim because of the pouring rain.  I didn't bag me any mountains and never got above 1,000 feet unfortunately but hey, even in the rain, the Lake District is stunning.

I did get to travel through St John's in the Vale for the first time - beautiful place.

I've decided to go around the mountains tomorrow, rather than over them as planned.  The weather forecast is awful and my job is to get to John O'Groats and not to take needless risks.

I am still loving it despite the weather.

Loving the Lakes!

Wednesday 25 May - Firstly I want to say a "Happy Birthday" to Kate and Lolly - my bestest daughter-in-laws!  My lads married two lasses who share the same birthday. 

Had a great day's walk today, only 11 miles, from Bowness to just north of Grasmere.

Grasmere

The B&B (home for the last 2 nights) was brilliant and I would highly recommend as a base should you visit the Lake District.  It is owned by Colin and Mandy and called Number 80 Bed Then Breakfast.

A whole lot nicer than being under wet canvas!

Once on the outskirts of Ambleside it was on to the paths again and the beautiful Lakeland views.  The weather, being dry for once, meant I could see for miles.

Just Wow!

Today's walk ended at the base of The Lion and the Lamb (no, not a pub!)  To be back on Loughrigg again on such a lovely day was fantastic.

The Lion and The Lamb - you can see why.

If the weather is kind on Thursday I can bag me some real big mountains.

Keep on Moo-ving!

If the weather had been better (which it wasn't) then today would have been a great day for a really interesting walk.

The canal I was following runs out of water at Sedgwick a place with quite a lot of history especially in relation to the production of gunpowder.

Just beyond there I was due to go under a bridge but the cows were sheltering from the horrendous wind and rain so I had to take a long detour around them.

I was not a-moo-sed - Geddit?

So today was 17 miles - Crooklands to Bowness in the worst weather, torrential rain and gale force winds, for most of the day.  At about 2pm it did stop raining but the wind decided to carry on.  Thankfully this helped me dry out by the time I reached Bowness.

I've a day off tomorrow to sort out the kit and do some washing.  I should have put Persil in my pockets and I could have had a good wash 'n' dry as I went along!



Water, water, everywhere...

What a night on Sunday!  Blowing a gale and pouring with rain.  I honestly thought I was going to lose the tent at one stage but as you can read I've survived for another day's walking.

16 miles from Lancaster to Crooklands.

Lancaster Canal at Crooklands

My brother Billy and his wife Wendy joined me along with Carl (he's my nephew-in-law if such a thing exists!) for 10 miles of the walk.  It was great to have them along to keep me company - thanks all!

We were looking out over Morecambe Bay to the West and, to the North-West, my beloved Lake District.

Lots of heavy showers today which turned torrential when it was time to pitch the tent of course.  I'm staying in my tent at the Crooklands Waters Edge Caravan Park  - although I don't really need to be any nearer water in this rain.

Forecast for Monday is severe gales and torrential rain...which is nice!

P.S You would not believe how many ropes I have securing my tent.

Via the viaduct

21 miles from Bilsborrow to Lancaster today. 

All canal walking today which made a pleasant change and despite the forecast was mostly in the dry with a little sunshine too.

A mixture of boats on the Lancaster Canal - you know I love boats!

The canal was very pretty with lots of woodland and views over the Bowland Fells and the Lune Valley.  It was nice to see lots of boat traffic and some of the waterfront properties were amazing (I bet they cost a fortune).

Bowland Fells - I'm starting to get excited about the Lake District!

I hit the Lake District in earnest tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it very much.

What I'm not looking forward to is putting my tent up in this rain - its hocking it down.

Along the waterway

Another 17 miles closer to John O' Groats today - Tarleston to Bilsborrow, just south of Garstang.

I am so glad those two days are done though!  It is absolutely no fun at all walking along main roads.  The last 4 miles were along the Lancaster canal so that was better.

Lancaster Canal - A lot prettier than main roads

It was a bit wet and windy at times today and I've pitched camp at a very basic site.  I'll be packing up the tent and kit early on Saturday and then be off again.

Section Three

After a few days' break back at home I've now completed 20 miles of the next section of the walk.  Blundellsands to Tarleton.

Tarleton Runner - A beautifully named stream

It was made much easier by having my old mate Phil Summers walk with me.

It was a long walk, mostly roads, so we stopped off at Ormskirk for a quick cup of coffee.  Which reminds me, don't ask for a large coffee in Costa unless you want to go for a swim - its massive!

Ormskirk Parish Church

It feels good to be heading North again - time to eat up the miles and see nw things again.

Thanks to everyone for making me feel good and a little special!  It's humbling to know I have such good friends.

The yellow, yellow sand of home!

Woo Hoo!  I've completed the second section of my walk now, arriving in Blundellsands having walked 16 miles from Eastham (I did get a ferry across the Mersey).

"Another Place" statue at Blundellsands - quite fitting really (click on pic for more info).

It was road walking all the way so instead of kestrels and eagles it was all cars and lorries along the A41 and Derby Road.  Mind you, seeing the Liver Birds made up for the lack of exotic wildlife!

Thanks to the photographer for this one of me passing the Liver Building

Katie from Liverpool Unites met me off the ferry with a photographer so it looks like I may get a bit of press coverage again soon.

The next section of the walk starts on 19 May which will give me some time to sort out my kit and also to catch up with family and friends.

I intend to publish some more photos in a Web album soon so do come back regularly to check for updates.

As usual it is always lovely to hear from people so please do feel free to post your comments.