13th June Great Glen Way

Woke up and it's raining. The first time in a month. We have had a great run of pretty good weather. Showered, breakfast (bake beans on toast for me), on with the wet weather gear and off to a Scottish Hostel on the bank of Loch Ness at Alltsign. Not that far to walk, about eighteen ks, that's all. An uphill slog out of town just to come back down to the road again then go back up. Sometimes you get tested for no reason. Some pretty walking but too much along gravel log truck tracks. Never near the loch so no fear of Nessie jumping out of the water and taking Annette. Hardly anyone else walking, and yeah I know, who walks in the rain?

Some good views of the loch.

Recent logging.

Came as a bit of a shock to turn a corner and come onto the main road at a bridge and be confronted by two tour bus loads of people looking at this old bridge. Telford's Bridge.

It was a cold, wet and hard mornings walk so we shouted ourselves two cups cups of hot chocolate each and lunch at a small local cafe. While at the cafe Annette went off to the toilet and we had noticed a sign on the door when we arrived that the toilet was for patrons only. This must be a bit of a problem for them. A lady came in and went straight for the toilet. The waitress yelled out to her and followed her in. There was a fair bit of yelling and I thought that I would have to leave my hot chocolate to save Annette. Just then Annette popped her head around the door and before I could get up the cook walked past. All six foot six of him and built like a brick dunny house. All sorted out so I went back to my drink.

Hit the trail again and an even worst uphill slog. I must have burnt off all my hot chips before I got to the top. One thing I have noticed is that even if we are not getting any smarted we are getting a lot fitter. The roads around here are so narrow that they have signed passing places. Annette growled that I didn't have to use them every time we passed one. (Remember bake beans for breakfast). There are these big fat slugs all over the place. Just thought I'd share one with you all.

Arrived at the Youth Hostel early but no one around until 5 pm but kitchen, lounge and drying room open. Nice to be able to have a rest and watch the rain whipping across the loch. No Nessie sighted I'm afraid but maybe tonight if I'm lucky.