Great Glen Way - no way today

Day 8 Walking, Thursday, June 13

St Andrews House, Fort William to Distant Hills, Spean Bridge

10.5 miles, but did not walk it ☹️

Still managed to rack up 17062 Steps hobbling about Fort William being a tourist of sorts

Lots of fresh fruit and yogurt and muesli for breakfast followed by a croissant and cheese. The host seemed surprised that I did not want any toast. Toast? Why would I have toast when there is a croissant offered??

The refrigerator Where the yogurt was kept was well stocked with little Irish butter’s Yum Yum

Was able to leave the pack at Saint Andrews house for the time I wandered around Fort William until bus time. That certainly helped with carrying the weight.  

I wouldn’t wear the t-shirt, but it was earned. 

Spent a long time in the Highland Bookstore. If only there was room in my pack for some reading material!  A small, but great selection of up-to-date books which makes Stevens Point look like the back of beyond with no bookstore at all. I did sit in the store and browse through some treasures for a while. 

Spent another block of time in the West Highlands Historical museum. A lot of history about this area and the Jacobites.  The Wars between rival Clans where the battles were fought wearing kilts and used axes.  A room devoted to Queen Victoria who loved this area, and the relationship she had with Mr Brown. There was even the full Highland kilt outfit she gave him as a present.  

A complete Scottish kilt outfit for only 600 Pounds. 

St Andrew’s

Spent time in Saint Andrews Episcopal Church of Scotland.  I was the only one in there and just wandered around looking at all the Stained glass windows, icons, sculptures, etc.  In the back of the church were a number of flower arrangements and one spelled the word N.A.N. When I got to the front of the church I realized there was a table covered with a purple cloth and flowers on it. Then realized it was a casket.  NAN was in there waiting for her funeral.  

There is Nan waiting under purple. 

Waiting for Nan. 

Had chicken and corn soup at Morrison’s cafeteria, Which is connected to the Morrison’s grocery store.  It was a good place to sit that was warm, dry, and I could have my foot up on the chair opposite, although a man at the next table didn’t appreciate my trekking poles also up on the chair and aimed right at him - he moved my extra chair.  

During the day talked with a couple, Margo and Mark who turned out to be from Idaho.  They were sitting by The Statue. It was a rest day for them as tomorrow they will climb Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain. After that they are going to the Isle of Skye.  When Margot was a little girl her father taught at UW River Falls.  Small world. 

Late afternoon caught the City Link bus to Spean Bridge where tonight’s B&B is located. Had I actually walked the path today my host would’ve had to come for me 4 miles away. This place is Way off the trail. 

While on the bus we made a loop and pulled into a junior high/senior high school and collected kids to be delivered way out into the country. They were all wearing uniforms. Black pants, black shoes, white button shirt, and ties. No big yellow schoolbuses around here to collect the kids. 

Not many blue - blue jeans, and certainly not baggy.  Black jeans tight around the ankles. 

Not sure about my heel and the walking tomorrow.  Will decide later. Used an ice pack and it felt good.  

“Stop worrying about potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.”  Babs Hoffman 

Lois is trying to keep a positive mind over this setback with a very naughty heel.