Big Ben

It's remiss of me, but I have failed to mention the indomitable presence of Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, who has now been overlooking us for 6 days since we had our first peep when we were in Glencoe getting stuck in windows and stuff! He has a lot more snow on this side and our hosts were telling us this morning that when we had all our floods down south, they had more snow on the peaks for many a year.

Last nights accommodation was at The Old Pines, a sort of large ski lodge that calls itself a restaurant with rooms. For sure the food was excellent and the rooms were good too. The views everywhere, particularly in the dining room, were incredible.

Fortunately they provided all the bits and pieces, for we have treated ourselves to a bag carrier this week and yesterday was the day it chose to go AWOL. Ideally the carriers get the bag to you by 4.00pm, so when by 5.15 it still hadn't arrived, dad gave the chap a call. It turned out he had it on his schedule for today. To give him his due he promised to get it to us within 30 minutes...and do you know what? He did!

In the meantime, mum, who has been trying to crawl back on the wagon, following her birthday, and had promised herself a dry night, reneged, and had a medicinal gin and tonic. They both had showers and redressed, dad remained calm, and I ate my Burns.

Today we have had the intermittent company of Loch Lochy. I say intermittent, because we have walked through an adjacent forest, that has kept us to and fro with the loch shore. It has been very hot today creating a wonderful aroma of pine, and the loch has tantalised with its shimmering clear waters. There are warnings everywhere about not swimming in the lochs because, apparently the water temperature only alters by 2' year round. Doesn't stop them chucking me in though!!

Once more we have seen many signs of pine martens, some of them quite potent (mum has a book about these things!) but have not had a clear sighting. The Scottish wildlife is being a tad reticent at making itself apparent.

At lunch time we sat in the forest and ate the lunch prepared for us by Old Pines, and just as we were about to set off again, a gentleman passed us - grey hair, beard, glasses. "Are you John?" Says dad. Well mum nearly fell over. She had been talking to some folk back in Kinlochleven, who had told her about John as he too is walking LEJOG. She had told dad, and not only was he listening, but he also remembered.

Anyway he was John, from York, and he is making excellent progress, but then he hasn't got a mum and a Madge impeding his progress! A little later we were joined by Stuart, who has taken a 12 month Sabbatical, to walk. The plan is no plan!

North Laggan tonight then, and Fort Augustus tomorrow (I can feel another history lesson coming forth!) alongside Loch Oich and latterly the Caledonian Canal.

Keep spreading the word.

M
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