Melting Pot of Languages and a Sausage Roll

Day 17 Walking, Saturday, June 22.

Craik Na Dav, Invermoriston to Abbey Cottage, Fort Augustus. 

8 Miles on the High Level route, 4 hours, Not Bad for a gimpy foot 😃. Steps 25762

Breakfast table had a couple from Switzerland and a pair of women from Italy, and an American from Wisconsin.  The other four were headed towards Inverness.  

Kipper.  Not the person from Wisconsin’s food.  

There were two servings of Kippers at the table and it was fun to watch the Swiss woman dissect hers. 

Got the foot wrapped up properly according to ‘doctor’ Lois.  Ankle brace, then a wad of cotton batting under the arch, Ibuprofen, and gell medication. The heel performed quite well.  Lois was happy. 

Climbed up to the high level route through the forest of switchbacks.  Wonderful views once the heights were reached.  So thankful to be able to enjoy the day!  I was the only one going south but met probably 30 headed north.  Hello and goodbye.  

Fort Augustus off to the right at the end of the loch. 

The high level wound around the base of Sron Na Muic.  There was a built up stone wind break, but a couple was already nestled in it eating their lunch below Carn an Doire Minor. 

Lots of waterfalls as the route came down through the forest just above Fort Augustus.  So nice to see the flowing water off to the side of the path, and if crossing was necessary, there were little bridges.  Very unlike stream crossings on the 

Coast to Coast where boulder hopping was often the only way across.  

Met a group of four young guys huffing and puffing as they pushed their loaded bikes up the path to the high level route.  Seems like here in the UK that young people are encouraged to get out and have adventures on their own with friends.  

The vastness and length of Loch Ness was better appreciated from today’s viewpoints.  It appeared to show the curvature of the earth as the loch stretched out upwards toward Inverness.  

My kind of landscape!  Reminded me of Dorethy from the Wizard of Oz saying ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more’.  Lois today felt like she was Not in Central Wisconsin any more!  I love being Way Up High.  

Sheep in Scotland, at least on these paths are few and far between.  Nothing like the Coast to Coast route where the sweet wooly white Baa Baas were EVERYWHERE.  

Came down from the high level and back into Fort Augustus where the tiny village was overflowing with tour buses and people speaking a multitude of languages.  Long lines waiting for the boat cruises out onto Loch Ness and eating ice cream.  

Fort Augustus originally was called Cill Chuimein after the church (Gaelic “cill”) which Cummings, the Abbot of Iona set up here in the 6th century. 

Mary Poppins and Mr Banks?  Outside the Bank of Scotland.  

Went into the Post Office/grocery to get some lunch and ran into Phil (photo of him serving breakfast in his chefs coat and hat) my host from last week when I stayed at The Holt.  Phil was pleased to see me walking so much better, and that I had done the high level route today.  Fun to be remembered.  

Mabel

Lunch was a Sausage Roll - which I shall never get again.  Bland strip of meat.  Best thing about it was the flaky pastry, however it was so flaky it crumbled all over myself and the ground. 

Old Oich Bridge, now falling apart. 

Miles Forde the tour guide. 

While waiting on the banks next to the locks until time to check into Abbey Cottage at 4 pm, began talking to the tour guide sitting next to me.  He was driving a small private group about the Highlands and even knew, sort of, where Wisconsin was. 

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”  Maya Angelou 

Normal - not sure what that is - but I would like to be the best I can as a human, a friend, and family member - and just enjoy life.  Lois