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Day 65 Tyndrum to Kingshouse

 

Our fundraising page for Cancer Research UK

Today was always going to be a long day....

It all started in The Real Food cafe car park, where we had arranged to meet Nicki and Chris. If you read back to Day 5 (May 8th), I met Nicki and Chris on the beach in Mawgan Porth. At the time, Chris was training for his Lands End to John o'Groats journey (by bike), which he started on 5th July and plans to finish this Saturday.  We were staying nearby to each other so met and had a chat before we set off today. 

The weather was beautiful with some clouds, a gentle warm breeze, some sun but no rain!

                         

We later saw Chris riding past us on the same West Highland Way track. Good Luck to you Chris!

                                                     

We began the slow climb out of Tyndrum. There was a short section that was quite rocky and wet where it was useful to have a walking pole. The views across to the direction of travel were stunning. The track soon became the Old Military road. 

         



After 3 miles, Alfie and I turned back rather than press on to Bridge of Orchy and wait a  few hours for a bus back. The first mile back was up a steep rocky section with sun in our eyes and sweat dripping down my face. Alfie soon let me know he was tired and wanted a little rest! Who was I to disagree!


We did finally make it back to Tyndrum where it was coffee time. Soon after, we drove back to the cottage.

Meanwhile, Garry continued on and soon reached the Bridge of Orchy. 
  

 

Bridge of Orchy was a lovely spot for Garry's lunch. He was joined by a friendly  companion, a common chaffinch. 





From here, he crossed the main A82 and the River Orchy and walked along a forestry track until he caught sight of Loch Tulla.



 
The track took him around the south and west of the loch and through more forestry tracks towards Black Mount. 


Garry stopped at Inverornan hotel for a drink.


Along the WHW, Garry had a nice chat with Crystal and Susan from New Hampshire, a thoroughly entertaining couple. 

At some point in the early afternoon, we came to realise there was a problem on the A82, the road that I had planned to use to drive up to meet Garry at Kingshouse.  Fortunately the road reopened, otherwise, it could have been a 5 hour round trip (or a night in the posh Kingshouse hotel for Garry!)

Blackrock cottage at the beginning in of Glencoe. Garry was waiting for me as I pulled into Kingshouse hotel. 
The last 15-20 minutes of the drive to meet Garry were stunning. I always find Rannoch Moor leading into Glencoe so 'vast and jaw dropping'.

Lots of miles covered today, but we knew the walk to Kingshouse was going to be a long one. 


There will be another drive back there to drop Garry off for his walk to Kinlochleven, a shorter walk of 9 miles. 

We also move onto Fort William, staying at a hotel (no self catering options were available) with limited internet, so there may be a reduced quantity/ quality of blogging for the next few days!


                                                              




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