I have been working all day at a client’s office updating some of their server software – the first stage of a project we started planning last October. Everything went well except the client had no water (and so no coffee) due to a leaking pipe in the office next door!
I did get back to Branston to see the sunset in a cloudless sky.
Sunset in Branston Read More »
The Lancashire Coastal Way passes very close to Pine Lakes so as the day was sunny but cold – and to avoid the hill walkers in the Lakes – I chose to walk out to the coast.
There was a suitable path right outside the resort gates so I did not need to use the car.
Warton Crag
Lunch Stop
I found a great place for lunch – hot chicken noodles, maple syrup granola bar and fresh coffee – with a view.
I used my Source 1l roll up water bottle, that Jeremy got me for Christmas, for the first time today. It fitted well into one of the grab pockets on my pack, but it was a bit “squeezy” when I came pour water from it. The result was some spillage over the stove, my trousers etc – it will need a bit more care when in use compared to my Platypus roll up bottle.
Lancashire Coastal Way pt 2 Read More »
Whilst Christmas shopping in Aldi, I picked up a few things for my walking trip to Aviemore in mid-January.
The microwave rice (just heat it in a pot with a couple of spoons of water – you do not need a microwave) looked more interesting than the last varieties I bought and the same for the flavours of the instant noodles.
The Racer bar is like a Snickers bar but with more peanuts and a better size for snacking on when walking.
I also bought some coffee creamer powder and made up a creamer/freeze-dried coffee mix in a small nalgene bottle (2 spoons of creamer to 1 spoon of coffee) as the only pre-mixed sachets I could find in the shop were the sweetened variety.
Due to the Nevis Range being in the way the way back to Glasgow, by train, from Fort William requires us to go north to Spean Bridge and Tulloch first – a big detour. Hopefully the rain will clear from the windows so we can see the views.
in the station
More wet blurry photos to come!
the stations are quite high on this line
lunch – venison pie and tea
the West Highland Way from the moving train – near Tyndrum
We are now in a coffee bar, in Glasgow. Richard is hallucinating that the waitress looks like “Penny”. Time to go home.
West Highland Way – The Train Back to Glasgow Read More »
It is now about 3.30pm and we are about four miles away from Crainlarich on the old military road – and the path is such that I can write this whilst walking.
The first five miles of the day were some of the most difficult we will have to walk this week. A narrow fractured, undulating path, where you had to watch where you walked. It took us over three hours to cover five miles. It was similar terrain for the end of yesterday and that too slowed down our progress. This afternoon once we reached the military road our pace picked up.
We had some great views this morning over the loch and even found somewhere to get coffee, Beinglas Farm.
Another thing we saw (and smelt) were goats along the side of the loch, and you really could smell them before you saw them!
West Highland Way Day 4 – Inversnaid to Crainlarich Read More »
Small change of plan today, we have shortened today’s walk (to save on the taxi fare!) but what it really means is that day three will be a ten mile day rather than seven.
The accommodation here in Drymen is very good, we have a three bedroom apartment, all the bedrooms and living room have flat screen TVs, the kitchen is well supplied with tea,coffee, milk and the makings for breakfast. There is central heating, and two shower rooms. Richard has done really well to find this place. It has allowed us to sort ourselves out following the first days shake down walk. (Parrot count so far zero – see our Coast to Coast blog.)
We booked our taxi back last night with a local taxi company here in Drymen.
Before starting we watched Jensen Button win the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Pottery pub where we had dinner last night – the photo was shot just before setting off today – blogging in the rain again, at least for the first part of the day – that’s my positive attitude showing through.
The path was a stream.
Lunch – no raincoat and a great view.
I even wore my sunglasses!
We are now waiting for the taxi – middle of nowhere and a strong 3G signal – so I’ll publish this now.
West Highland Way Day 2 – Drymen to Sallochy Bay (and back by taxi) Read More »
The weather was good when I was packing up – which was lucky as packing the new Golite Jam 2, did not go as easily as it did when I packed it at home. I had put the tent in the large outside pocket but this was a mistake as that pocket has to be packed before the main bag. Both pockets share the same volume – packing the main pocket reduces the size of the outside pocket. This means the tent needs to be packed first – when actually, when packing up, it is the last thing to go in the bag. This morning, I simply piled my gear up on a small tarp I had with me, took the tent down and then packed, but it was dry and sunny. So I need a new packing plan.
I ended up meeting both Richards in Bardney – one had had walked there from Lincoln city centre the other drove – and we went for coffee. So that was the end of the walking, we got a lift home.
Walking to Woodhall Spa – Day Two Read More »