Assault and latterly

When we were in Melrose, you will recall that we met some lovely folks who were on a pilgrimage on St Cuthberts Way, to Lindisfarne. A lady called Laverne showed us a poem, which we asked her, in the blog, (somebody reads it then!) for the name and author of. Yesterday, not only did she send that information, but she also sent the whole poem verbatim. Thank you so much Laverne for taking the trouble. It just struck us as being so apposite. If you would like to read it it is called  'For the Traveller' by John O'Donohue.

Back on the disused railway track this morning. For the first 4 miles to Strathblane it was all neat and tidy and tarmacced, running alongside the Campsie Fells with lovely views.

We stopped to get some lunch from the Co-op and mum selected 2 sandwiches and cold drinks. When she got to the counter, the most pleasant young man said that that would be £6.65, but if she had 2 snacks as well, it would only be £6. She dutifully added 2 bags of crisps, paid her £6, but is still a it confused!

After that, dad, had obviously decided that, as it was mum's big birthday, he would check her ability and fitness by taking her on his own very special assault course. Still on the disused railway track, only this time it was disused! Fortunately, the time of year ensured that the growth wasn't too bad, although I notice that the shorts are back in the pack and the trousers are back out tonight - well there were a lot of nettles. After about a mile, we struck the mud flume. This was a serious of mud puzzles, with no escape, and lasted for about another mile. Then came the tree skelter. A series of broken branches and brushwood that had to be negotiated, under, over, and through. At one point mum was trying to pass under a branch, which kept lowering so that she couldn't get under it - then she realised she was leaning on it! Then came the the piece de resistance! Two entire, mature pine trees blocking the path, with no way round, under or over - the only way is through, he happily announced. Rucksacks off, fleeces over heads, and smash your way through. The pollen was incredible, and they were white over when they got through. I was alright, never touched me.

Shortly after we got through there we joined the West Highland Way. I was going to say thank goodness. However, you must appreciate, that for the last 10 weeks, we have hardly seen a soul, sometimes nobody, for days. Today, we have joined a popular route and with it, a lot of people, and we are going to have them with us certainly to Fort William, possibly to Inverness. My people are going to take some handling!

We have passed our first distillery (Glengoyne) and I was put in a burn for a drink of water nearby. I have been very happy this afternoon!

So, mum becomes a pensioner (obviously not State - that just keeps getting further away). She gains another year and loses .......a pedometer (again).

We overnight in Drymen, and off to Rowardennan tomorrow for our first full day on the WHW.

Mum says a huge thank you to all of you who have sent messages by all kinds of nefarious means. In the absence of cards it has been brilliant, because it has lasted all day long. Thank you.

Keep spreading the word

M
x

Sorry no pics service tonight