The A822 is our hard faced companion for the next few miles before we shoot off left and pick up the track of General Wade’s Road again. A slight wrong turning ensued shortly afterwards and a yomp across the hills was needed to get back of course. Canary was being closely watched at this point because of the sheep!!.
Ol’ Wade’s Rd was re-joined to the sound of squelching boots, the boggy peat and running springs made the going wet and tough. The consensus of opinion here was, if it was good enough for 17th century soldiers then it was good enough for use.
A brief respite was taken once the tarmac was re-joined, taking on water and scoffing some fruit rejuvenated the limbs somewhat.
We take in the scenery of Sma’ Glen for a while before going off road again near Corrymucklow. This time it wasn’t so bad, the track remaining mainly dry all the way along.
The glorious weather continues and I can feel the sun on my legs. Good job I’d got the shorts on today – or was it?
Back on the tarmac again and this road is an unclassified single track with very little traffic. Our silent stroll was interrupted when a car went by with a football scarf flapping away in the breeze whilst it hung from a window. We though it was Ger’s fan. However, as we came to a bend it the road there was this guy snapping away with a camera and also a video. This was the infamous Caley Fifer who had driven over from Dunfermline to gather evidence of our stroll for the respective web sites. What a top chap and his support was very welcome.
The weather was starting to take a turn for the worse as the dark clouds gathered. A flash of lightening in the far distance and the rumble of thunder gave an indication as to what was in store. The rain started but we carried on for a while until we started to climb up into the hills once more. We had passed by the support vehicle and the driver, Colin, just asked the simple question “Where do you think you’re going attached to those lightening conductors?” He was, of course, referring to Canary and myself who were using metal trekking poles. We decided to sit out the short storm in the bus for a while.
The climb over the hills was truly breathtaking in more ways than one. From around 1700ft the distant views of Schiehallion and Loch Tay, coupled with the baroness of the moors, were just stunning to say the least. Thunder was rumbling all around us but we seemed to have escaped the worst of it. It was all very atmospheric. At this height you can see why the lightening conductors wouldn’t have been a good idea.
We reached Kenmore at around 4.30 p.m. and headed for the first drinking establishment where Canary’s family members were there to greet us and the drinks flowed. The backs of my legs were feeling a little warm as I supped my pint.
The biggest talking point of this session wasn’t the walk but the high quality state of the gents toilets!!!.
The day was spoilt by the disappointing way in which the Pitlochry Hostel handled our booking. It took 45 minutes to sort things out and made life stressful for Steve who had to make several phone calls to sort out their incompetence. Because of this mess, dinner was taken late in the Taste of India restaurant – again not the best curry house in the world but at least it would make the ‘dawn chorus’ an exciting occasion!!! I hit the sack at around 11 p.m. – my burning legs still smarting from the sun.
Ped reading was 23.84 miles 46654 steps