I haven't wrote the WHW up exactly as had intended but much like the walk itself, its incomplete and maybe that's the way I should leave it?
I will go back and do the entire walk but I think I might do it with a day pack and stay in cheap accommodation. I am already planning it in my mind with how I would break the walk down and where I would stay. I think I will do it at about the same time again next year, unless I win some money, leave work and do it again later this year.
Some of the bits that stick in my mind are the bluebells along so much of the route. nearly standing on a chick in Balmaha just after I had taken a photo. I turned and looked down just as I was about to stand on a fluffy little chick. The Rowardennan Hotel sticks in my mind because it was a nice meal, friendly staff and I didn't want to leave. Looking down Loch Lomand with some people I had been talking to walking up towards me. The view from the front of the Inversnaid Hotel and the train from Crianlarich to Glasgow which was beautiful until we reached Helensburgh.
So I do have some good memories and that's how I want to remember it :-)
What did I learn?
I learnt quite a bit about myself, not sure I entirely understand myself though. I always set myself little challenges (which is no bad thing), but I decided I didn't want the WHW as a challenge, but as something I wanted to enjoy. Which is why I cut it short. I learnt to be sensible and look after myself when your body is trying to tell you something.
Sometimes you really need company, someone to talk to, to share experiences and just be there.
Most of all I suppose I learnt to enjoy myself and not beat myself up over things.
I did learn a lot more than this but they are personal and they are going to stay that way, sorry!
Showing posts with label WHW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WHW. Show all posts
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Looking Back Part #2
Its been several days since I wrote the 1st part of my write up on the WHW and that was just about the places I had stopped at.
This time I will add some pictures although I didn't take all that many, I was too busy trying to plod on.
(Above) Bluebells in woods (Milngavie)
(Above) Track away from Milngavie
(Above) View from my wildcamp, shame trees have been chopped
(Above) My home for the night
(Above) Day 2 and first target of the day (Conic Hill)
(Above) Light playing on one of the islands in Loch Lomand
(Above) view of Loch Lomand on the path past Conic Hill
(Above) Cloud on hills
(Above) View from Conic Hill
(Above) Another View from Conic Hill
(Above) Loch Lomand again from Conic Hill
(Above) Balmaha
(Above) View up Loch Lomand
(above) view over loch lomand with the mountains beyond
(Above) Ben Lomand
(Above) view from the front of Inversnaid Hotel
Beautiful view of Loch Lomand with Bluebells underfoot
(Above) A blanket of bluebells
(Above) Looking down Loch Lomand from next to Cnap Mor
This time I will add some pictures although I didn't take all that many, I was too busy trying to plod on.
(Above) Bluebells in woods (Milngavie)
(Above) Track away from Milngavie
(Above) View from my wildcamp, shame trees have been chopped
(Above) My home for the night
(Above) Day 2 and first target of the day (Conic Hill)
(Above) Light playing on one of the islands in Loch Lomand
(Above) view of Loch Lomand on the path past Conic Hill
(Above) Cloud on hills
(Above) View from Conic Hill
(Above) Another View from Conic Hill
(Above) Loch Lomand again from Conic Hill
(Above) Balmaha
(Above) View up Loch Lomand
(above) view over loch lomand with the mountains beyond
(Above) Ben Lomand
(Above) view from the front of Inversnaid Hotel
Beautiful view of Loch Lomand with Bluebells underfoot
(Above) A blanket of bluebells 
(Above) Looking down Loch Lomand from next to Cnap MorWednesday, May 16, 2007
Look Back Part #1
I've decided to write a few things up so I can look back over them for when I do the walk again, completing it next time!
The first thing is the eating/drinking/sleeping establishments I err tested ;-)
Premier Travel Inn - Milngavie:
Much what you would expect from a national hotel chain. It cost £49 for a night and £7.50 for the unlimited breakfast thing. You got a nice enough room with TV, tea making facilities, bath, shower, etc.. Next to the hotel is the Beefeater where your breakfast is served. It's far from the cheapest place to eat/drink but is nice and the staff are friendly. I had a burger (I think) the night I got there and a full English breakfast or should that be scottish. For the price the price the Breakfast was a bit disappointing, I didn't have any cereal which I could of, just the cooked breakfast but with 1 egg, 1 sausage, 2 small rashers of bacon, tomato and a couple of mushrooms £7.50 was incredibly expensive. I should of asked for seconds. I'm sure it was supposed to be unlimited, I never really saw any toast but must of been on the table at the front somewhere?
Cairneach Milk Bar - Outskirts of Drymen:
I stopped here towards the end of the first day, it's a few hundred yards off the West Highland Way just before entering the Garadhban Forest. It's a small wooden building which offers a small selection of food and home cooking. I had a bacon sandwich and a sprite which was very nice after a hard days walking and I don't think it was all that expensive. Although a pint would of been nice, they don't serve alcohol. There are some toilets available around the back of the building where I filled up my hydration system(not with wee, but water).
Rowardennan Hotel:
I stopped here for lunch after a hard few miles following the road from Balmaha. The staff were very friendly and the bar lady was very nice, she had quite a bit of bother trying to pour me a pint of Kronnenberg. I ordered a burger here (as I did almost everywhere). While it was expensive at I think £7.95 or £6.95 it was very nice and was probably the best of the entire trip. The bar was very welcoming and cozy with a log burning fire, not that it was needed really as it was hot outside. They had 1 large TV at the end of the bar with the Rangers match about to kick off. I had another pint but a Fosters this time, so they wouldn't have the hassle with the Kronnenberg. I eventually forced myself to leave, one of the lads behind the bar asked me if I wanted another I said I better not or I'd be there all day. I wish I had spend the rest of the day there :-)
Inversnaid Hotel:
I arrived here after a very hard day and could hardly walk another step. The walkers entrance was through the back not quite sure why. Must be to keep the walkers from the posh people or something. You walk through a lounge and into a bar. I ordered a pint and asked if they had any rooms, the man looked at me puzzled (he was foreign) but a pretty girl (also foreign) said they were fully booked, my heart sank. I sat down with my pint and looked through my book hoping for something to jump out at me but it was either here or my tent another half-a-mile to the wildcamp spot. The pint didn't go down very quickly!
I got another pint in and asked about food and was shown a takeaway menu, I was thinking more about a proper sit down meal and again asked if there was any rooms at all, didn't care what or how much. The girl said she would go and check, she reappeared and told me to see the girl on reception. I spoke to girl as instructed and she asked what type of room I wanted. I said a single but didn't really care. She said that was good then and said they had a single with a shower. It sounded like heaven to me. The way she was saying it though I had visions of some cupboard. She asked if I wanted an evening meal but said I'd already ordered a takeaway meal :-(
I picked up my takeaway burger and headed for my room and was quite shocked to find it was very nice. A single bed with TV, kettle and a seperate bathroom with shower cubicle, toilet and basin. Far from what I had envisioned and it only cost me £25!
The following morning I left without a breakfast as I wasn't sure if it was included or night. The room was very nice and the whole hotel looked nice with fabulous views so I found out when I left by the front door rather than shuffled through the back. My only problem was it felt like they were trying to keep walkers seperate from other guests otherwise the place would of been fantastic. Oh and there was some communication problems with bar staff because they weren't Scottish but Eastern European I watched as they struggled with almost every customer. They were very pleasant just a slight communication problem.
Beinglas Farm Campsite:
I didn't camp here but stopped here for a pint and another burger but was again very impressed by the establishment. The campsite looked very nice and the wigwams looked inviting, I ordered another burger but doubled the size to 1/2 pound because I was starving and got a pint of cider. It cost an extra £2.50 to double the size which again was expensive. I can't remember if the burger alone cost £9.25 or if that included the cider. The lady brought the burger out to me as I was outside and asked if I didn't like cheese, I looked at it and said I'm afraid I don't. She took it back and made me another. She said they had put it on before she could stop them. The burger was OK but dripping with fat and clearly a factory thing unlike a couple of the previous homemade ones. I was becoming a burger expert, lol. The campsite was very nice and would definitely be worth staying at.
Crianlarich Youth Hotel:
This is the first Youth Hostel I have ever stayed at and was unsure what I would make of it. The man who greeted me was very welcoming and went through everything with me and gave advice on where to eat and gave me a voucher thing that let me get a 2 course meal and pint for £10 at the lodge. He said both pubs were nice but he would personally choose the lodge. The Hostel had a large dining area and a lounge with TV as well as very big kitchen, drying rooms and internet access. The dorm room I was put in had 4 bunk beds. All the bottom ones were taken so I picked a top bunk furthest from the door. The internet access was only 5p a minute, so cheap enough. There was a lady on reception on the morning and she was also very helpful. So in all quite a good experience although the room smelled quite a bit of sweaty socks in the morning but I guess that's to be expected, lol!
Rod & Reel - Crianlarich:
I popped in here as it was the closest pub to the Youth Hostel and though I'd have a look before going over the recommended one. The section near the bar is quite small and there were some locals sat there and 1 walker. I ordered a pint of cider and sat down and looked at the menu, there wasn't much on the menu I fancied. The pub kind of reminded me of the uplands where I used to go years ago. A bit rundown which mainly locals frequent (I think?)
Ben More Lodge - Crianlarich:
This place was quite a bit further from the Youth Hostel than I thought, I had been shown on a hand drawn map where it was and he made it look like it was a few yards from the Rod & Reel but it must of been about half a mile or so from the Youth Hostel which is a fair way when your feet are killing you. I opened the door and straight away it looked more inviting for some reason, not sure why. I ordered a pint and sat down, I heard the lady say that meals weren't being served until 8 for some reason. While I was sat there a man came in and started talking to me saying he recognised me from the hotel in Milngavie and asked how I was getting on. I spent a few minutes talking to him and several more people came in all in the same party. There must of been about 10 of them, some of the others I had recognised from walking through the forest on the 1st day. Anyway I ended up getting a meal before 8 and I chose the soup which was Tomato and basil which was very nice and chicken breast again this was very nice and I asked for a pint of lemonade. I'd already drank 3 pints over the 2 pubs. A guy came in who was the musical entertainment which I had to move for because I was sat where he needed to setup. I left before he started so not sure if he was any good. One of the nice things about this place is you can sign the wall and leave messages, I didn't though. This is again somewhere I would happily go back to.
Burger King - Glasgow Central:
I have only added this in because I bought a whopper as I was rushing to get my train to Newcastle. I have never eaten burgers from McDonalds or Burger King before because of all the stuff they add in but this was one of the few things I could see was already done on the shelf thing behind and I was starving. It actually wasn't too bad considering it had mayonnaise and god knows what else in.
The first thing is the eating/drinking/sleeping establishments I err tested ;-)
Premier Travel Inn - Milngavie:
Much what you would expect from a national hotel chain. It cost £49 for a night and £7.50 for the unlimited breakfast thing. You got a nice enough room with TV, tea making facilities, bath, shower, etc.. Next to the hotel is the Beefeater where your breakfast is served. It's far from the cheapest place to eat/drink but is nice and the staff are friendly. I had a burger (I think) the night I got there and a full English breakfast or should that be scottish. For the price the price the Breakfast was a bit disappointing, I didn't have any cereal which I could of, just the cooked breakfast but with 1 egg, 1 sausage, 2 small rashers of bacon, tomato and a couple of mushrooms £7.50 was incredibly expensive. I should of asked for seconds. I'm sure it was supposed to be unlimited, I never really saw any toast but must of been on the table at the front somewhere?
Cairneach Milk Bar - Outskirts of Drymen:
I stopped here towards the end of the first day, it's a few hundred yards off the West Highland Way just before entering the Garadhban Forest. It's a small wooden building which offers a small selection of food and home cooking. I had a bacon sandwich and a sprite which was very nice after a hard days walking and I don't think it was all that expensive. Although a pint would of been nice, they don't serve alcohol. There are some toilets available around the back of the building where I filled up my hydration system(not with wee, but water).Rowardennan Hotel:
I stopped here for lunch after a hard few miles following the road from Balmaha. The staff were very friendly and the bar lady was very nice, she had quite a bit of bother trying to pour me a pint of Kronnenberg. I ordered a burger here (as I did almost everywhere). While it was expensive at I think £7.95 or £6.95 it was very nice and was probably the best of the entire trip. The bar was very welcoming and cozy with a log burning fire, not that it was needed really as it was hot outside. They had 1 large TV at the end of the bar with the Rangers match about to kick off. I had another pint but a Fosters this time, so they wouldn't have the hassle with the Kronnenberg. I eventually forced myself to leave, one of the lads behind the bar asked me if I wanted another I said I better not or I'd be there all day. I wish I had spend the rest of the day there :-)Inversnaid Hotel:
I arrived here after a very hard day and could hardly walk another step. The walkers entrance was through the back not quite sure why. Must be to keep the walkers from the posh people or something. You walk through a lounge and into a bar. I ordered a pint and asked if they had any rooms, the man looked at me puzzled (he was foreign) but a pretty girl (also foreign) said they were fully booked, my heart sank. I sat down with my pint and looked through my book hoping for something to jump out at me but it was either here or my tent another half-a-mile to the wildcamp spot. The pint didn't go down very quickly!I got another pint in and asked about food and was shown a takeaway menu, I was thinking more about a proper sit down meal and again asked if there was any rooms at all, didn't care what or how much. The girl said she would go and check, she reappeared and told me to see the girl on reception. I spoke to girl as instructed and she asked what type of room I wanted. I said a single but didn't really care. She said that was good then and said they had a single with a shower. It sounded like heaven to me. The way she was saying it though I had visions of some cupboard. She asked if I wanted an evening meal but said I'd already ordered a takeaway meal :-(
I picked up my takeaway burger and headed for my room and was quite shocked to find it was very nice. A single bed with TV, kettle and a seperate bathroom with shower cubicle, toilet and basin. Far from what I had envisioned and it only cost me £25!
The following morning I left without a breakfast as I wasn't sure if it was included or night. The room was very nice and the whole hotel looked nice with fabulous views so I found out when I left by the front door rather than shuffled through the back. My only problem was it felt like they were trying to keep walkers seperate from other guests otherwise the place would of been fantastic. Oh and there was some communication problems with bar staff because they weren't Scottish but Eastern European I watched as they struggled with almost every customer. They were very pleasant just a slight communication problem.
Beinglas Farm Campsite:
I didn't camp here but stopped here for a pint and another burger but was again very impressed by the establishment. The campsite looked very nice and the wigwams looked inviting, I ordered another burger but doubled the size to 1/2 pound because I was starving and got a pint of cider. It cost an extra £2.50 to double the size which again was expensive. I can't remember if the burger alone cost £9.25 or if that included the cider. The lady brought the burger out to me as I was outside and asked if I didn't like cheese, I looked at it and said I'm afraid I don't. She took it back and made me another. She said they had put it on before she could stop them. The burger was OK but dripping with fat and clearly a factory thing unlike a couple of the previous homemade ones. I was becoming a burger expert, lol. The campsite was very nice and would definitely be worth staying at.Crianlarich Youth Hotel:
This is the first Youth Hostel I have ever stayed at and was unsure what I would make of it. The man who greeted me was very welcoming and went through everything with me and gave advice on where to eat and gave me a voucher thing that let me get a 2 course meal and pint for £10 at the lodge. He said both pubs were nice but he would personally choose the lodge. The Hostel had a large dining area and a lounge with TV as well as very big kitchen, drying rooms and internet access. The dorm room I was put in had 4 bunk beds. All the bottom ones were taken so I picked a top bunk furthest from the door. The internet access was only 5p a minute, so cheap enough. There was a lady on reception on the morning and she was also very helpful. So in all quite a good experience although the room smelled quite a bit of sweaty socks in the morning but I guess that's to be expected, lol!Rod & Reel - Crianlarich:
I popped in here as it was the closest pub to the Youth Hostel and though I'd have a look before going over the recommended one. The section near the bar is quite small and there were some locals sat there and 1 walker. I ordered a pint of cider and sat down and looked at the menu, there wasn't much on the menu I fancied. The pub kind of reminded me of the uplands where I used to go years ago. A bit rundown which mainly locals frequent (I think?)Ben More Lodge - Crianlarich:
This place was quite a bit further from the Youth Hostel than I thought, I had been shown on a hand drawn map where it was and he made it look like it was a few yards from the Rod & Reel but it must of been about half a mile or so from the Youth Hostel which is a fair way when your feet are killing you. I opened the door and straight away it looked more inviting for some reason, not sure why. I ordered a pint and sat down, I heard the lady say that meals weren't being served until 8 for some reason. While I was sat there a man came in and started talking to me saying he recognised me from the hotel in Milngavie and asked how I was getting on. I spent a few minutes talking to him and several more people came in all in the same party. There must of been about 10 of them, some of the others I had recognised from walking through the forest on the 1st day. Anyway I ended up getting a meal before 8 and I chose the soup which was Tomato and basil which was very nice and chicken breast again this was very nice and I asked for a pint of lemonade. I'd already drank 3 pints over the 2 pubs. A guy came in who was the musical entertainment which I had to move for because I was sat where he needed to setup. I left before he started so not sure if he was any good. One of the nice things about this place is you can sign the wall and leave messages, I didn't though. This is again somewhere I would happily go back to.Burger King - Glasgow Central:
I have only added this in because I bought a whopper as I was rushing to get my train to Newcastle. I have never eaten burgers from McDonalds or Burger King before because of all the stuff they add in but this was one of the few things I could see was already done on the shelf thing behind and I was starving. It actually wasn't too bad considering it had mayonnaise and god knows what else in.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Going Home
I am coming home today, I stayed the night in the Youth Hostel in Crianlarich. My feet are absolutely killing me and realised why. My shoes just don't have enough cushioning, some of the cushioning of this show were actually in the insoles which I have to take out to put my insoles which don't have quite so much.
If I had stuck with my normal walking shoes I probably would of been fine but we live and learn I guess.
I'm OK about going home, not beating myself up or anything. I could always come and complete the walk from here or do the whole thing from the start with the knowledge I have gained.
I have learnt quite a lot about myself suprisingly from this. Yesterday when I was talking to a couple from Stockton again. They said we might get a bus from Crianlarich to Tyndrum saving them 5 miles. It went through my head "That's cheating". Then I thought don't be stupid its a walk not a competition and that is sort of when I decided that I am supposed to be doing this for enjoyment not some sort of test. I have nothing to prove to myself!
My train leaves at 9:35 for Glasgow then I got my dad to book the ticket from there to Durham. So I just have to pick it up from the Ticket Office. I get into Newcastle at about 2:33, then the train to Durham leaves at 2:40. So by about 3:45 I should be at home :-)
If I had stuck with my normal walking shoes I probably would of been fine but we live and learn I guess.
I'm OK about going home, not beating myself up or anything. I could always come and complete the walk from here or do the whole thing from the start with the knowledge I have gained.
I have learnt quite a lot about myself suprisingly from this. Yesterday when I was talking to a couple from Stockton again. They said we might get a bus from Crianlarich to Tyndrum saving them 5 miles. It went through my head "That's cheating". Then I thought don't be stupid its a walk not a competition and that is sort of when I decided that I am supposed to be doing this for enjoyment not some sort of test. I have nothing to prove to myself!
My train leaves at 9:35 for Glasgow then I got my dad to book the ticket from there to Durham. So I just have to pick it up from the Ticket Office. I get into Newcastle at about 2:33, then the train to Durham leaves at 2:40. So by about 3:45 I should be at home :-)
Thursday, May 10, 2007
WHW
I forgot to say I will probably do a few posts from the route as long as I can get a signal. I'm taking my old phone, the battery lasts longer and I have a spare for it.
Then again I might decide to "go dark" for once in my life and not access anything (likely??)
Then again I might decide to "go dark" for once in my life and not access anything (likely??)
Eve of Holiday
Tomorrow I will be setting off for Milngavie on the train if they are running on time after a derailment today. To be honest I have mixed feelings, I'm not exactly looking forward to it yet because I've not had time to really think about it. I've spent all day listening to everyones problems and rushing around.
I suppose it will be good to get away from everything (I should be saying it will be good). I just can't get into holiday mode yet. Finished packing my bag about 10 minutes ago, it doesn't feel too bad. Although this time I've spent a bit of time adjusting everything. There is also the slight omission of water so far, I don't need that filling up until Saturday morning when I leave the hotel I'm staying in. 3 to 4 litres of water adds quite a bit of weight to the pack!
In some ways I'm slightly nervous or I know I will be once I get to bed tonight. I have only had 1 night in the tent so far and I'm not sure I will like Youth Hostels but its an experience which is what it's all about.
I haven't over stocked on food, I do have enough Cereal bars to last me several days. I have got 3 Wayfarer meals, 4 cup-a-soups, 5 peperamis, supanoodles and a few other things. This may not sound like a lot considering I will be away for 8 nights but I will be staying in hotels 2 of those night (beginning and end), 2 Youth Hostels (although need own food) and I will be stopping in any pubs for meals when I pass them when I'm hungry. Of course I will be sampling a few local ales while in those pubs ;-)
I suppose it will be good to get away from everything (I should be saying it will be good). I just can't get into holiday mode yet. Finished packing my bag about 10 minutes ago, it doesn't feel too bad. Although this time I've spent a bit of time adjusting everything. There is also the slight omission of water so far, I don't need that filling up until Saturday morning when I leave the hotel I'm staying in. 3 to 4 litres of water adds quite a bit of weight to the pack!
In some ways I'm slightly nervous or I know I will be once I get to bed tonight. I have only had 1 night in the tent so far and I'm not sure I will like Youth Hostels but its an experience which is what it's all about.
I haven't over stocked on food, I do have enough Cereal bars to last me several days. I have got 3 Wayfarer meals, 4 cup-a-soups, 5 peperamis, supanoodles and a few other things. This may not sound like a lot considering I will be away for 8 nights but I will be staying in hotels 2 of those night (beginning and end), 2 Youth Hostels (although need own food) and I will be stopping in any pubs for meals when I pass them when I'm hungry. Of course I will be sampling a few local ales while in those pubs ;-)
Monday, May 07, 2007
Hotel Booked
I have booked a hotel for after I have finished the WHW and Ben Nevis for Friday 18th May. The following day I'm getting the train back home.
I have booked up to stay in the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William. I tried to book it online for £49 but I ended up with an error, checked that the payment hadn't gone through by emailing them then booked it over the phone. Luckily at the same price as it was on the web. If I walked in the door on the Friday it would cost me about £80!!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
WHW Update
Today I have decided on my rough plan of walking for the WHW next week. I have booked into 2 Youth Hostels and already booked the train ticket back home from Fort William.
Friday: Train from Darlington to Milngavie Travel Inn
Saturday: Start WHW, Milngavie - Garadhban Forest [16.5 miles] wildcamping
Sunday: Garadhban Forest - Inversnaid [19 miles] wildcamping
Monday: Inversnaid - Crianlarich [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Tuesday: Crianlarich - Inveroran [16 miles] wildcamping
Wednesday: Inveroran - Kinlochloven [18 miles] Camp site
Thursday: Kinlochleven - Glen Nevis [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Friday: Glen Nevis - Ben Nevis - Fort William [14 miles] Hotel
Saturday: Train from Fort William to Darlington My bed
The distances above are estimates because I haven't drawn the route out in Memory map yet, some ways I am tempted not too and rely on the Harvey Map but for backup purposes I guess I should draw it out and upload to the GPS. There are a couple of big days to Inversnaid and to Kinlochlevin but both times the days following are only 13 miles (only he says when he will have a heavy pack on). Ben Nevis will be difficult with the pack especially when I'm intending to go via the CMD arete, if I feel really tired I could totally miss this out and just walk the 3 miles to end of the way, but I think I will be too pumped up and will make it to the top and then to the end of the way somehow!
I have booked into Youth Hostels at Crianlarich and Glen Nevis. Which is at the half way point and then just before I climb up Ben Nevis again before then walking to the end of the West Highland Way in Fort William. I have yet to book into a hotel in Fort William but might do that now, then I know its done.
Friday: Train from Darlington to Milngavie Travel Inn
Saturday: Start WHW, Milngavie - Garadhban Forest [16.5 miles] wildcamping
Sunday: Garadhban Forest - Inversnaid [19 miles] wildcamping
Monday: Inversnaid - Crianlarich [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Tuesday: Crianlarich - Inveroran [16 miles] wildcamping
Wednesday: Inveroran - Kinlochloven [18 miles] Camp site
Thursday: Kinlochleven - Glen Nevis [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Friday: Glen Nevis - Ben Nevis - Fort William [14 miles] Hotel
Saturday: Train from Fort William to Darlington My bed
The distances above are estimates because I haven't drawn the route out in Memory map yet, some ways I am tempted not too and rely on the Harvey Map but for backup purposes I guess I should draw it out and upload to the GPS. There are a couple of big days to Inversnaid and to Kinlochlevin but both times the days following are only 13 miles (only he says when he will have a heavy pack on). Ben Nevis will be difficult with the pack especially when I'm intending to go via the CMD arete, if I feel really tired I could totally miss this out and just walk the 3 miles to end of the way, but I think I will be too pumped up and will make it to the top and then to the end of the way somehow!
I have booked into Youth Hostels at Crianlarich and Glen Nevis. Which is at the half way point and then just before I climb up Ben Nevis again before then walking to the end of the West Highland Way in Fort William. I have yet to book into a hotel in Fort William but might do that now, then I know its done.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
West Highland Way Update
I received my train tickets a few days ago which take me from Darlington direct to Glasgow, then the short trip from Glasgow to Mingavie. I then booked myself into a Premier inn for my first night, I had tried a B&B that looked OK but they were fully booked.
I decided I would pay a bit more for a hotel where I knew what I was getting and paid the extra for the full break fast in the morning. Which I will need before I set off on the start of the West Highland Way.
I also joined the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, it only costs £8 and allows me to use the the English ones as well, its about £16 to join the English YHA. I am thinking about stopping in the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis before climbing up Ben Nevis again if I don't feel dead from finishing the WHW. I may also stop in another halfway along the way but have yet to draw my route, a job for the next 2 nights.
I decided I would pay a bit more for a hotel where I knew what I was getting and paid the extra for the full break fast in the morning. Which I will need before I set off on the start of the West Highland Way.
I also joined the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, it only costs £8 and allows me to use the the English ones as well, its about £16 to join the English YHA. I am thinking about stopping in the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis before climbing up Ben Nevis again if I don't feel dead from finishing the WHW. I may also stop in another halfway along the way but have yet to draw my route, a job for the next 2 nights.
Monday, April 23, 2007
WHW Planning
I booked my train tickets to the start of the West Highland Way in Milngavie. The train leaves Darlington at 11:34 on Friday 11th May. It was the only train I could get direct to Glasgow, wasn't any from Durham. Otherwise I had to switch trains at Edinburgh.
Once I get to Glasgow I have a ticket booked to take me to the starting point (Milngavie). I'm not setting off on the Friday but intend to stop in a hotel or B&B before setting off the following morning. I emailed one B&B but they haven't got any rooms spare. I am very tempted just to book into the Premier Inn because its just around the corner from the station and the start of the WHW.
I looked at booking tickets back from Fort William but I don't know what day I will be coming back. I will probably do the walk in 6 days, but haven't planned it out yet. I may walk Ben Nevis again, but it depends how I am feeling. I quite fancy doing the down hill mountain biking as well but after 6 days of walking I might just want to go home.
Once I get to Glasgow I have a ticket booked to take me to the starting point (Milngavie). I'm not setting off on the Friday but intend to stop in a hotel or B&B before setting off the following morning. I emailed one B&B but they haven't got any rooms spare. I am very tempted just to book into the Premier Inn because its just around the corner from the station and the start of the WHW.
I looked at booking tickets back from Fort William but I don't know what day I will be coming back. I will probably do the walk in 6 days, but haven't planned it out yet. I may walk Ben Nevis again, but it depends how I am feeling. I quite fancy doing the down hill mountain biking as well but after 6 days of walking I might just want to go home.
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