Day 80 - Inverarnan to Tyndrum

Raining again this morning, so another later start, which was a good thing as we had to blog anyway! Buses didn't seem to work out so The Walker set off alone and I had plans to sign in at the campsite early, sweep out the van, then walk to meet him. As it was a little too early, I called in at the famous Green Welly Stop - a place where I have often broken journeys with various children in tow and enjoyed a cooked breakfast on our way home from holidays; we always set off very early. I was disappointed that the ice cream counter and bakery at the entrance seemed to have become a gift shop area, but otherwise it was much the same.

The other interesting thing that happened today was that, as we walked into Tyndrum, an old lady with a dog asked us if we knew where some Scottish place was as she was lost. She had no idea where she had walked from  or where to go next. I walked with her to the information centre,  which we were passing on our way, but they were very unhelpful - the place she was asking for, I discovered is on the east coast, so we decided that she didn't walk from there. After about a quarter of an hour I decided that more help was needed, but just as we rang the police a car stopped and her husband got out. Apparently she had wandered off with the dog as they were putting up the awning on their caravan. It was a good job we had stopped her from walking miles away!

From Bernie:
Today's Walk  11.9 miles    :     Cumulative  1014.0 miles

Thanks to Oban for sending us their weather again! Horrendous forecast but it ended up being mostly sunny with just a couple of warm showers... too warm to even bother with waterproofs. Clouds returned with a vengeance at the end of the day, though, & we had to cook the burgers in the van!

Ardlui on Loch Lomond - last night's camp-site

First half of the walk was the steady climb up the beautiful green valley of Glen Falloch, famous for its spectacular Falls which are only really accessible from the car-park on the opposite side; after all the rain the whole river was a raging torrent & its noise drowned out the sound of traffic on the busy A82 & that from the passing trains. One thing I didn't remember is the march of pylons straight up the glen.... tried to avoid those in the photos!

River Falloch

Second half picks up one of the old 18th century military roads that criss-cross the Highlands & winds up through the forestry below the Crianlarich Hills. Didn't see any of the lads again & wonder if they've given up, though I did pass a young English girl I'd seen in Rowardennan who seems to be walking on her own & a German couple, about my age, who are wandering along with nothing more than a shoulder-bag & a map in hand - I've passed them a couple of times so far & they seem to be at quite a lot of my pub stops!

Looking back down Glen Falloch

Highlight of the Day: stopped for cider & chocolate above Bogle Glen, at the top of the track from Crianlarich, & looked out over Strath Fillan to the mighty Grampians... almost within touching distance! A misty shower was scurrying across the face of Ben More but, momentarily, the sun burst through - magical view!

Ben More from above Strath Fillan

Moan of LeJog.... so far!: like the manager, I have fond memories of Tyndrum - many a walk has started or finished here & many a journey has been broken. I used to love the 'Inverie Hotel', set back slightly from the road, nestled behind trees & with stone steps climbing to its attractive entrance. It is now the 'Tyndrum Lodge Hotel - Paddy's Bar & Grill', advertising itself as an American-style 'diner' serving milk-shakes, burgers & iced beer! We're spending another night in Tyndrum but Paddy will have to make do without me.....

Lochan nan Arm & the Crianlarich Hills

Beer of the Day: not from Paddy's! My last 'Allendale' bottle was 'Beacon Fire' - 'a real chilli beer'! I've always viewed chilli-flavoured beers, like those that claim to be chocolate-flavoured, a bit suspiciously. This, though, flavoured with Mexican Pasilla chillis, is the genuine article! Fierce stuff & a good job we had chilli burgers for tea! I enjoyed this but, despite its label declaring it to be 'moreish', I'd struggle to drink more than one at once!

Crianlarich Hills - Ben More on the left

Song of the Day (an occasional series!): we're staying at a site called 'Pine Trees' in Tyndrum so how about 'In the Pines', which I think is a traditional American song. I recall versions by Leadbelly, a couple by Dylan &, if I remember correctly, Josh White. More simply, 'Whispering Pines' by The Band.... & I'm certain of that one!