Military Road, Drovers Road, and AWOL Glasses

Day 5 Walking, Monday June 10
Kilbride Lodge, Tyndrum to Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe
19 Miles, 43480 Steps, 9 hours



Followed other hikers leaving Tyndrum up the old Military Road.  Met Kristen who quickly moved ahead of the spread out group of 10. Never saw her again today.  7 miles to the Bridge of Orchy surrounded by scenery like western Canada.  My kind of landscape!  Occasionally others would come up behind, pass, and move forward.  Walked all morning with only myself.  Brain went into its ‘quiet’ mode and could think, or not think.  



Stopped for tea and shortbread at the Bridge of Orchy. Others arrived who were staying there tonight, as will Lynne whom I now will not see again as our schedules have changed.  Told a few fellow walkers to tell her good bye from me. 



Three miles to Inveroran Hotel where the sandwich purchased yesterday was eaten with orange Fanta at an outdoor table.  Other walkers were also taking a break.  Next to me was a man from Germany who I’ve seen since day one. We leapfrogged all afternoon. 



Then on to the very remote Drovers road/path. This is the most desolate landscape and wildest section of the WHW.  I LOVED it.  No shelters anywhere so was thankful for partly sunny skies. 



Highest point today of Black Mont of 1460 feet was achieved this afternoon on a very rocky surface which made the feet HURT.  Met a few hikers at dinner and they were dealing with blisters and aching feet.  Feet me, blisters no, so far. 



Bridge of Orchy 

Realized somewhere today my glasses did the big Houdini act and have disappeared.  Good thing there are 2 extra pairs. 



The West Highland Way could really be walked with no map as it is extremely well marked and the path very obvious.  No way to get lost unlike the Coast to Coast.   But, I like to know what has been passed by and where I am going so maps are carried and referred to all day. Important to know how the earth fits together and which set of mountains had been walked around. 



Tonight’s home is the luxury Kingshouse Hotel near the Glencoe ski resort.  My room has a view of the mountains, a couch, a king size bed, and a bath tub. BUBBLE SOAK happened. 



As tomorrow’s distance is half of today’s the plan is to do it leisurely.  



There are deer hanging about the hotel, possibly 7, and not afraid of humans. 

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you are climbing it.” Andy Rooney

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