Day 81 - Rowardennan to Iverarnan - 16 miles

We'd hoped that the hotel drying room would live up to its name but it seemed that all our boots had had such an immersion yesterday morning that to set off with dry feet was too much to hope for.
Again, the day was going to be split into two halves with a lunch stop at 7 miles.


Throughout the day, the route followed the shore of the Loch , sometimes walking onto small sandy/gravelley beaches. 

The rain showers persisted on and off throughout the morning until we eventually crossed the footbridge into Inversnaid.
 Unfortunately they were only serving teas and coffees - a bit of a missed opportunity!!


If we'd thought the morning was tough, the afternoon was off the scale! - with repeated short, sharp ascents on sloping rocks,
through streams, over tree roots - it was impossible to build up any momentum to our walking and averaged less than 1 mile per hour. 
As well as the difficult walking, the rain fell torrentially
for the first two hours after our lunch.

During the afternoon we overtook a numbers of groups of walkers - all of whom were finding it tough going.
The occasional views across and along the Loch were beautiful
but this was probably some of the most arduous and frustrating walking I've experienced since LandsEnd.
Eventually...e v e n t u a l l y !!!! in the sunshine,
we arrived at The Drovers Inn at Inverarnan  - a welcome sight.

It's a really fun, quirky place and it seemed that everyone staying there had walked the same section of the trail - and were deservedly enjoying a fun evening of good food and beer.
The enthusiastic staff all seemed to be Romanians, wearing kilts and speaking with Romanian Scottish accents. A really good evening - we finished off - appropriately enough - with a whisky tasting , it was neck and neck between Highland Park and The Balvenie ( having tried Laphroig, The Macallan and GlenGoyne the previous evening) and in the final furlong Caroline decided that Highland Park won it by a nose!!
A memorably good night was had by all and Aaron even managed to sleep through it all !!

Total distance walked so far = 1007.8 miles
Total ascent so far = 117 968 feet

Comments

  1. Anonymous1 July 2022 at 07:05

    I hope your weather improves soon. Our recent experience taught us that Scotland is wonderful…. but it can be awfully wet!
    Neil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1 July 2022 at 15:49

      Hi Neil. At least the rain keeps the midges at bay as long as we don't stand still!!

      Delete
  2. Robin1 July 2022 at 11:07

    Eeeck what a tough day! It has been miserable weather here too.What a start to July. Hope tomorrow is better weather and walking -wise for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1 July 2022 at 15:51

      Thanks Robin. 100 inches per annum here - and we think that North Wales is wet!!!

      Delete
  3. Mike D1 July 2022 at 11:59

    What a day to cross the 1,000 mile point — well earned! Made all the more impressive by the slow going! (And I love the picture of Sally and the bear! Hysterical!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1 July 2022 at 15:53

      Hi Mike. It was a fun evening. I think Christina's Guatamalan Rum should have been in the running as well!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous7 July 2022 at 14:50

    I definitely remember that being the tougher day of the WHW! Pam x

    ReplyDelete

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