Tuesday 26th April 2016 It was very cold through the night, I kept waking up with the shivers and trying to get back to sleep. So when morning came round I felt I hadn't slept at all.
It was a slow start this morning due to being cold and stiff from yesterdays walking. When I unzipped the tent it was nice to see blue sky and sunshine and hear all the birdies tweeting. Had a feathered visitor when I was getting my breakfast brew on. I think it would've been in the tent beside me if I had let it!
Packed up and ready to go, I was the last of the campers to leave the site. The first few hundred metres where so painful on my feet after yesterday, but it was a lovely bright day and it was great to be on the path again continuing up the shore of Loch Lomond.
The day was mainly following the eastern shore of the Loch northward. It was a mix of quiet country road, forest paths, muddy rooty paths, gravel paths and beach. It mainly stayed right along the shore line. The views were amazing, occasional glimpses of mountains through the trees and you could see up and down the length of the Loch. The rain clouds could be seen approaching, so I knew when to get my jacket out. Thankfully there were only a couple of light showers before the sun made its appearance again. Perfect walking weather.
Time was ticking on and I had to make a move, I had already stiffened up again from sitting so long. On the way out I chatted with a couple of groups of walkers all in getting their lunch too. It's good that there are plenty of people to chat to along the WHW, but not so many that you feel like you're on a group tour.
Back into the howling wind, along the road, through the carpark and onto a forest road. It then started to gradually climb upwards and this is where my problems started. I had pulled my groin after yesterdays steep staircase descent off Conic Hill. Now it was so painful and I could hardly lift my leg, swing it forward or put weight on it. The going was slow. I did however find the perfect sized stick lying right beside the path to use as a crutch. This helped a lot. Nature always provides.
Today was going to be a long, slow day. I passed two girls later on. One was German the other a Scot. The German girl was going even slower than me as she had blisters on both her heels. We commiserated with each other and I continued on when they sat down for a rest.
A lot of the path now was up and down a well worn muddy trail along the waters edge, stepping over rocks and roots. Sooo painful and I had to be inventive with how I could step over things while not being able to lift my left leg more than an inch off the ground.
A group I had chatted with at lunch caught me up. After checking if I was ok, one of the guys very kindly offered me his walking poles. I declined as it wouldn't be fair to him. He insisted and we agreed to him keeping one and me taking one. So I ended up with a stick and a shinny blue walking pole to stagger my way on for the rest of the day.
Slow going, I walked the last few kms with the German girl as her friend had gone on ahead. Eventually we made it to Inversnaid Hotel. Such a relief to sit down. German girls friend was already there and told us the guy from Inversnaid Bunkhouse was coming back to collect us and drive us up the road. Result.
Lovely place, I chose to camp again, but there were also dorms available and chalet houses. Got my tent up and went inside for a scrumptious dinner. The food was so good here. There were plenty of people staying, so it was good craic the rest of the evening with everyone.
Click here for Day 1.
Click here for Day 3
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