Day 89 - July 7th - Laggan to Fort Augustus
Over breakfast I met Vicky and Cameron who manage the Great Glen hostel.
Amongst her various achievments working in hospitality and then banking, Vicky has also hiked to Everest base camp.
Cameron has already secured his place to study Geography at Edinburgh this Sept so as a Summer job is very competently running the kitchens providing breakfast and evening meals at the hostel.
My route rejoined the Great Glen Way along the East Coast of Loch Oich where I met Mark from Stoke.
He'd set off from Poole in Mid April, walked clockwise along the whole of the South West Coast Path and then crossed diagonally across the country to walk the same route as me but at Fort William had headed off for Cape Wrath on the north West corner of the UK and then walked East along the North Coast as far as John o'Groats. Whereupon, having enjoyed his Northbound walk so much he turned around and set off Southwards.
At least he's now on his way home....though he told me he was harbouring an ambition for the PCT in the US. Keep going strong Mark!
Just before Bridge of Oich, I met two cyclists from a Danish walking group who were having a rest day in Fort Augustus.
While talking to the lock keeper, we made friends with a wagtail
and a very tame chaffinch.
and had an enjoyable and interesting chat as we walked to Fort Augustus. June is a doctor specialising in nuclear medicine and Jesper an accountant. We talked about Boris Johnson's demise, the disaster of Brexit, taxation and the demographic challenges facing all our countries - really good subjects to make the miles melt away.
Their group had visited Skye yesterday and were off to walk Ben Nevis tomorrow- I hope the sun shines for us all! About time!!!
June recommended that I have a look at a similar walking train in Denmark which follows a similar old military road. From their description, Denmark sounded pretty well sorted to me.
Was that just a ripple I saw on the surface??
Cameron has already secured his place to study Geography at Edinburgh this Sept so as a Summer job is very competently running the kitchens providing breakfast and evening meals at the hostel.
My route rejoined the Great Glen Way along the East Coast of Loch Oich where I met Mark from Stoke.
He'd set off from Poole in Mid April, walked clockwise along the whole of the South West Coast Path and then crossed diagonally across the country to walk the same route as me but at Fort William had headed off for Cape Wrath on the north West corner of the UK and then walked East along the North Coast as far as John o'Groats. Whereupon, having enjoyed his Northbound walk so much he turned around and set off Southwards.
At least he's now on his way home....though he told me he was harbouring an ambition for the PCT in the US. Keep going strong Mark!
Just before Bridge of Oich, I met two cyclists from a Danish walking group who were having a rest day in Fort Augustus.
Further along I met June and Jesper from the same Danish group
Their group had visited Skye yesterday and were off to walk Ben Nevis tomorrow- I hope the sun shines for us all! About time!!!
June recommended that I have a look at a similar walking train in Denmark which follows a similar old military road. From their description, Denmark sounded pretty well sorted to me.
Fort Augustus has a staircase of locks and is the entry into Loch Ness. It's picturesque with a backdrop of mountains on all sides.
In the evening I sat on the shore and gazed out at the loch.
In the evening I sat on the shore and gazed out at the loch.
So if I understand correctly, David’s been invited to hike the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Coast Trail, and a military road across Denmark. That may be nearing 5,000 miles. We may need to ensure that Sally and David’s feet are consulted before any rash decisions are made!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike. I think there could be mild protestations from the foot department!!
Delete''Was that just a ripple I saw on the surface??'' --- very good....:)
ReplyDeleteY.