West Highland Way and People who knew where Wisconsin is.
Day 12 Hiking. Tuesday, June 14.
Realized in hindsight that what I called a ‘Jeep’ yesterday was really a Land Rover. The serious kind of vehicle that might be used in Africa on safari.
Scottish porridge and TWO croissants. Extra energy for the day, plus elastic knee braces on both legs, along with sturdy right brace - made for good hiking, even if I wandered away from the correct route.
A wee deer with a very wee wee deer.
Jubilee Flag.
These Boots are made for walking.
How to take a selfie out in the country.
Bikers here all have little bells they ring when riding up behind walkers (often off in their own mental worlds). The bells remind me of old fashioned bikes when they all came with something to twang.
Number 947. Moo moo.
Sat by the pasture to put on rain paints and cover the pack with rain fly.
This is where Lois took the Wrong biking route (I was supposedly following the JMW cycling route). Was going along fine on the yellow route from the left. Turned north on some random road (also had a sign for biking). Ended up at the top in Gartocharn (C). When I realized there were no more signs for the JMW knew something wasn’t right. Asked at a petrol station and realized my mistake. Turned too soon off the official way. Nothing to do but take alternative back roads to get reconnected. Joined JMW at Meikle Finnery off to the northeast. Add on extra hour of walking.
When did I last see ‘loose’ candy?
Slate cutter at work on a new roof.
Last of the Hairy Coos. The season of shedding is over and the Hairy Coos are not so hairy 😥. I love the hairy ones.
Lunch in a mini bus shelter out of wind and rain.
Pack happy to be left alone for a brief time.
Met a couple out walking their dog. I told of my mistaken wandering this morning. They live near by and have ‘rescued’ many hikers gone astray. One was a German couple who thought they were on the West Highland Way but had wandered far off on the John Muir Way. They ended up driving the hikers to Drymen as it was already 8 pm and they were exhausted.
Met this guy from Manchester as he was choosing something from an Honesty Box. He is doing the LEJOG - Lands End to John O’Groths. Hiking Britain from the southwest in Cornwall to the most northern tip of mainland Scotland. He had been walking for 6 weeks so far.
Oh - The West Highland Way! Must have met 50-60 hikers going towards those highlands, and that was after 12:30.
At the Beech Tree Inn had my JMW passport with the stamp for the West Highland Way. Told the guy I had eaten here twice 3 years ago when walking/leapfrogging with that couple from the Czech Republic.
Talked with this couple and Trig the dog. Turned out not only did they know where Wisconsin was, he has work that takes him to Chicago and Milwaukee a few times each year. He loves Spotted Cow beer (wife is a wine person 😊). He tried to order some Spotted Cow online, and learned it wasn’t possible. Sort of fun to have people who knew I hadn’t fallen off the moon. That Wisconsin does exist.
Glengoyne Distillery, below Dumgoyne, a volcanic plug. The peak is visible from Glasgow and is on the edge of the Campsie Fells.
Pricey!
My purchases from the Glengoyne Distillery. Sorry Gary - yours will be acquired later.
Golwanlea Guest House, Balloch to Kirkhouse Inn, Strathblane.
14.14 Miles. 34,010 Steps. 7 Hours.
“A well developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.” William Arthur Ward
Realized in hindsight that what I called a ‘Jeep’ yesterday was really a Land Rover. The serious kind of vehicle that might be used in Africa on safari.
Watched most of the original Howard’s End last evening, with Emma Thompson.
Scottish porridge and TWO croissants. Extra energy for the day, plus elastic knee braces on both legs, along with sturdy right brace - made for good hiking, even if I wandered away from the correct route.
A wee deer with a very wee wee deer.
Jubilee Flag.
These Boots are made for walking.
How to take a selfie out in the country.
Bikers here all have little bells they ring when riding up behind walkers (often off in their own mental worlds). The bells remind me of old fashioned bikes when they all came with something to twang.
Number 947. Moo moo.
Sat by the pasture to put on rain paints and cover the pack with rain fly.
This is where Lois took the Wrong biking route (I was supposedly following the JMW cycling route). Was going along fine on the yellow route from the left. Turned north on some random road (also had a sign for biking). Ended up at the top in Gartocharn (C). When I realized there were no more signs for the JMW knew something wasn’t right. Asked at a petrol station and realized my mistake. Turned too soon off the official way. Nothing to do but take alternative back roads to get reconnected. Joined JMW at Meikle Finnery off to the northeast. Add on extra hour of walking.
When did I last see ‘loose’ candy?
Slate cutter at work on a new roof.
Last of the Hairy Coos. The season of shedding is over and the Hairy Coos are not so hairy 😥. I love the hairy ones.
Lunch in a mini bus shelter out of wind and rain.
Pack happy to be left alone for a brief time.
Met a couple out walking their dog. I told of my mistaken wandering this morning. They live near by and have ‘rescued’ many hikers gone astray. One was a German couple who thought they were on the West Highland Way but had wandered far off on the John Muir Way. They ended up driving the hikers to Drymen as it was already 8 pm and they were exhausted.
Met this guy from Manchester as he was choosing something from an Honesty Box. He is doing the LEJOG - Lands End to John O’Groths. Hiking Britain from the southwest in Cornwall to the most northern tip of mainland Scotland. He had been walking for 6 weeks so far.
He actually knew where Wisconsin was as he had watched some program about Wisconsin. I said I had not seen it, but assumed it was something that people from Wisconsin wouldn’t watch and would make all of us look really stupid.
Oh - The West Highland Way! Must have met 50-60 hikers going towards those highlands, and that was after 12:30.
My Heart lies in the highlands but my feet/knees don’t have the will 😥.
From Center Stage the film: “You didn’t have the feet, I don’t have the heart.”
One positive sign for me and the WHW, is that the area seems to be totally socked in with low clouds and rain.
At the Beech Tree Inn had my JMW passport with the stamp for the West Highland Way. Told the guy I had eaten here twice 3 years ago when walking/leapfrogging with that couple from the Czech Republic.
Talked with this couple and Trig the dog. Turned out not only did they know where Wisconsin was, he has work that takes him to Chicago and Milwaukee a few times each year. He loves Spotted Cow beer (wife is a wine person 😊). He tried to order some Spotted Cow online, and learned it wasn’t possible. Sort of fun to have people who knew I hadn’t fallen off the moon. That Wisconsin does exist.
Glengoyne Distillery, below Dumgoyne, a volcanic plug. The peak is visible from Glasgow and is on the edge of the Campsie Fells.
Went to visit the distillery. Then decided to ‘snip’ off the last 3 miles to Strathblane by taking a local bus. Waited out at a rock pile with two couples both headed to Glasgow. Began chatting with the pair nearest to me. Turned out they were from Pennsylvania - Valley Forge - to be precise. Told about Olivia and her location and Susan’s (now in Ireland).
Waited for bus. I fussed with my money in anticipation as the transportation now requires exact funds or else to pay with a card (trying not to use the cards due to the extra fee charged). Bus arrived. Climbed/limped on (knee braces). When I began to dig through the coin purse the driver just waved me on. Free. Sweet Scottish guy.
Happy to arrive directly at my destination. Quick trip to the CO-OP for supplies.
Back in my same room from the last time.
Pricey!
My purchases from the Glengoyne Distillery. Sorry Gary - yours will be acquired later.
“In every walk in nature one receyfsr more than. He seeks ,”. John Muir
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