Les midges est arrivee

Beinglas campsite, is a farm at the end of Loch Lomond, that has grasped opportunity with both hands. It has a caravan site, camp site, log cabins and bed and breakfast. Facilities are aimed at the transient walking population, including adequate, washing, laundry, and kitchen facilities. There is also a bar and restaurant with a large patio area that has a huge fire pit in the middle. It also has midges, by the million. They were so bad this morning, that the parents have invested in nets to put over their heads...you should see them! Of course, I just have to manage.

We were woken by two cuckoos dueting (or competing - not sure which) with great gusto. After all the talk of their dwindling population it was good to hear - even at 05.00am.

After a hearty breakfast of breakfast bap, orange, Burns and coffee we got underway. Today the WHW wends uphill for the morning on open moorland pasture, a fairly gentle incline for about 6 miles until we reached the junction that takes the path to Tyndrum (our destination) or Crianlarich where there would be a chance of coffee and an extra 2 miles .... We drank water.

The trail now turned to forest track with undulations. About 9 miles in we met a gamekeeper who had an ATV with a trailer load of deer carcasses. Mum said it was a shame but just another form of farming. He had lost the wheel on his trailer, so dad offered to help. The man refused, and afterwards it occurred to them that he may have been a poacher and they could have been guilty of perpetrating a crime - innocents abroad.

Well, we're in the Highlands now. And there are lots...of high lands I mean. Snow covered high lands!. There are huge hills everywhere. They seem a lot bigger on foot than they do from a speedy car seat, and are truly majestic. The weather has been kind to us again and we've been able to enjoy the walk and the magnificent views afforded. They can't get over how like Switzerland it is.

We are in Tyndrum tonight  staying in a wooden chalet.

Tonight, Fran is coming to whisk us off to Killin and tomorrow we're off to Bridge of Orchy.

Keep spreading the word.

M
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