2022 - Day 4 - Back to Drumnadrochit & Plan A

Today was a bit of a damp start as you can see from the car windscreen! Rainwear on & ready for the off. Denise drove me back to Drumnadrochit to complete stage 2 of the Great Glen Way that I couldn't do on Sunday thanks to them-thar pesky cyclists!!

I get so excited/flustered/anxious when she drops me off that I sometimes forget what I'm doing! Today was no exception - I got going out of Lewiston and eventually started to climb. It was whilst I was catching my breath at around 150ft that I remembered that I hadn't started my gizmo!! 2nd day of operator error!! That's a couple of miles to add to today's total I thought!! 

After another 50ft or so of climbing the pathway came out onto a dead-end minor road and I came out into the full force of the misty, mizzley rain. I was still climbing but more gently now. There was more traffic on the road than I was expecting but then there were more 'holiday' rental homes & lodges than I'd realised. There were also other local businesses like a "Woolery"? A pottery and a rather untidy farm. 

Whilst I was enjoying the scenery in between the low cloud/mizzle I noticed a discarded Pepsi bottle lying in the moss beside the road. I 'tutted' and picked it up. A bit further on I saw and collected more evidence of in-human stupidity. It seemed such a shame to litter in such a beautiful place. The picture shows the litter I'd picked up over about a mile & a half!! 

After a couple of miles the path veered off to the left as the roadway came to an end. It was nice to be off the road. The rain had stopped, the sun was trying to shine and I found a little burn to stop and have my snack! 

 The only problem with running water is you then need to "use the facilities" Fortunately there were plenty of trees a bit further on. 

The walk today was a little kinder on my feet. The forest tracks  although sometimes quite wide, seemed to have a softening layer of sand, peat and pine needles cushioning my footfall. Having said that, today was long and arduous. The pathway undulating fairly steeply. I felt that the undulations meant I was more frequently climbing than descending - probably just my imagination and aching legs! 

At a point some 300 metres above the lovely-named 'Primrose Bay' the pathway forked. I could go right and take the High Route or left on the Low Route. I sat on a convenient bench and ate my lunch whilst I contemplated which route. Actually no, I did eat my lunch but there was no way I was going back up into the clouds and rain!!

Lunch over I made my painful (Oooh! My poor knees!) descent towards Alltsigh where I crossed over near the old packhorse bridge.  . . . . and then started to ascend again! 

Did I ever say that there were a few things I don't 'do' when walking? Cows, mud and hills!! The hills mainly because I know that when you go up you've got to come down and vice versa!! 

So, from Alltsigh towards Invermoriston the Low Route climbed, it undulated to give me some respite, but it climbed. At a point just north and above Invermoriston I was at 200m. I could see the car park where Denise would be waiting for me. It took me 30 painful minutes to make that descent! 

I carry a lot of things with me on my walks (Denise says too much!) Today the thing I forgot were my walking poles!! They were in the back of the car!! 

I was so relieved ( and exhausted) when I got in the car that, guess what? I forgot to turn off my gizmo!! 

About 2 miles into our journey back to Fort Augustus I remembered!! Oh well, at least I didn't have to add the two miles I'd forgotten at the start!! And I'm sure Denise was doing more than 17.3 mph!!

2022 - Day 3 - Change of Plan due to Cyclists!!

Today I was supposed to be starting from Drumnadrochit. Denise was supposed to drive me up the A82 and drop me off! However . . . . When we arrived here we discovered that the Etape Loch Ness Cycle Race was today. That meant that the A82 between Fort Augustus and Inverness was closed from 0500 to 1330 hrs. Change of plan!! Today (Day 3) I walked from Fort Augustus to Laggan Locks (Day 5's walk!!)

Hey-ho! Best laid plans and all that! 

I set off from our cottage between the River Oich and The Caledonian Canal looking up Loch Ness. Again the weather was a little misty but only on the high ground. It was still a little cool though so I was glad I'd remembered my gloves this time. 

Denise came with me up the staircase of locks that take the Canal down to Loch level. At least, she came as far as spying a coffee shop on the other side of the lock!! I set off along the pathway that runs alongside the canal. I'd stepped out a little on the flat gravelled surface until I remembered I'd not started my gizmo!! Operator error this time! Only a bit of a mile missed!! 

I must admit to finding the going a tad hard on the soles of my feet today. No soft surface coating of pine needles today to cushion my footfall. Never mind  the weather was almost perfect for walking, what little wind there was was blowing me down the glen; it was dry and not too hot! 

I made good time and was able to stop at Bridge of Oich swing Bridge for my lunch of yesterday's cheese roll!! After lunch & a rest it was time to head off again beside Loch Oich. 

This part of the Great Glen Way uses the old railway line that ran between Fort William and Fort Augustus. It should have continued onward to Inverness but railways in those days were privately owned & the Inverness Company wasn't prepared to spend that much to complete the line. It folded in the early 1950's. The railway line had followed the route used by General Wade in 1725 as a military road to move troops more easily to deal with the 'rebellious' highlanders! It was equally well used by the Jacobites themselves in 1745 to move around more quickly. 

Relics of the old railway still remain including this tunnel and the preceeding 'girder' across the gap. I assumed that this was to channel water from the burns across the line and away to the Loch. 

Partway along General Wades Military Road I came across this lone chimney stack. All that remained of a railway workers wooden shack? The remains of a peasants dwelling? A sentry-post on the Military Road? Who knows?

As it was a less arduous walk today I was also able to spend more time enjoying the flora and fauna of my surroundings. There were bullfinch, goldfinches, ducks, geese, swans & the obligatory robin. Needless to say I caught none of these on camera! 

I was able to take pics of the flora though, they don't move as fast!! I love the heady smell of gorse and it's such a rich golden yellow, much kinder on the eye than rapeseed. 

Then there were the primroses nestling in their sunny cwtches among the tumbling, moss-covered rocks and stricken tree trunks. 

As I headed towards the end of the Loch I could see that the low cloud was still covering the surrounding mountains. 

I arrived at journeys end and my gizmo had behaved itself (except it always knocks some distance off when I go from stopping tracking my movements to saving what it's recorded!! Very annoying!) 

Hot shower, good meal with a glass of something nice followed by another early night. It's Day 3's walk tomorrow on Day 4!!!

If you would like to donate to my two charities, the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association and The National Caribbean Monument Charity, please forward the link:

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/marg-davies-100-mile-walking-challenge

2022 - Day 2 - Finally the Great Glen Way

Last night I took a little jaunt from Inverness Castle back down to our hotel on the GGW. It really was a glorious walk as the sunshine finally put in an appearance. 

What a pretty walk it was too dropping from the castle to the river by the statues of Faith, Hope & Charity. The pathway then wove through the wooded islands with the river running round & through. 

So, with first 3 miles of the Great Glen Walk completed I had a good night's rest. 

This morning dawned just as misty as yesterday but without so much wind! This morning also meant that I had about an hour of climbing to do. 

The higher I went the colder it got but the sweatier I became (too much information?!) I was getting so warm my glasses kept steaming up but my hand remained frozen (I'd forgotten my gloves!) I was walking in mist which sometimes turned to muzzle and the views back over Inverness were obliterated by cloud. 

Once I'd finished climbing I was able to enjoy the scenery more. Ghostly lichen shrouded trees and multicoloured pillows of moss abounded. 

Occasional clumps of daffodils still bloomed in sheltered places. 

About two thirds of the way, after a particularly tiring lond stretch of undulating roadway, the path headed back into woodland. Not far from Abriachan, I came across the Abriachan Eco-Campsite and Café run by Sandra and her husband. I decided I needed something warming so I ordered Soup & a Roll and Coffee & Cake. It arrived and the portions were HUGE!! 

It could have fed all of the Hereford Walking Group!! Everything was delicious particularly the soup & cake. They had kindly supplied a paper bag to carry off the excess. I ate all the soup, the healthy tomatoes and half the cake - Oh! And three chocolate mint matchmakers. I carted away the roll (with lashings of REAL butter & masses of cheese) & half the cake. Its well worth a visit if you're ever that way. Apparently they're going to put a picture of me (with my WRAC Association T-shirt) on their Facebook Page. I'll check it out later.

Anyway, tummy nicely full & me a tad warmer, I headed off on my way to Drumnadrochit. 

My Satnav had said a respectable 12.5 miles as I restarted it after pausing it over lunch. I hadn't gone more than a couple of miles when I checked my gizmo and saw it's battery was on red! I hastily dug out my power-packed & plugged it in. The blooming thing had a 'turn'. Basically - it went bonkers!! 

For about half a mile it shot me off somewhere to the south east then brought me back to where I was!! (Denise wondered if it had something to do with the Russians!!) It still showed where I was but I could no longer rely on the mileage counter!! 

From there on it was a bit of a slog. The undulating forestry road leading down past Corryfoyness was stony and uneven and then the track down through the woods whilst very beautiful and tranquil was very steep with amazing trip hazards like tree roots and jutting rocks. 

The cathedral-like fir trees towered above me as I wound my way up and down and zig-zagged left & right. Boy, did my knees feel that final descent!! 

Eventually I came out into the open and had my first proper view of Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle. 

My first glimpse of the Loch today had been just a mile before when I could just make it out between the trees far below.

The 2 mile tramp alongside the A82 to Drumnadrochit itself was tedious and hard going but fortunately Denise was there to greet me and drive me to Basecamp 2, our rented cottage for the week.

When I finished today's walk I looked at my gizmo. 

Apparently I'd walked 452 miles and had shot off to the middle of the North Sea at 129 mph!! 

2022 - Day 1- Walking around the Inverness area

The day started well when Denise drove me to Fort George on the Moray Firth to meet up with Moira Thom and Margaret Irvine from the Aberdeen area and Ann Sinclair (nee Grant) who used to be a recruiter in Inverness and who is going to join the Association anytime now!! They had all got up at crack of dawn in order to travel to meet me. I'm so humbled that they were prepared to do that for little old me!!

They kindly gave me donations to add to my Give as you Live page at: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/marg-davies-100-mile-walking-challenge

They also handed me a donation from 84 year old Joan Bartlett of Aberdeen Branch WRAC Association. She never misses a meeting and wished me good luck on my 100 Mile walk. 

From Fort George I walked along the shore path towards Ardersier and then headed for the A96 as Denise was picking me up after going to get petrol (we were starting to drive on fumes!!) 

We drove to Cawdor where I had a delightful walk through the woodland. It really reminded me of the former Cawdor Estate at Stackpole in South Pembrokeshire. Beech woods and a fondness for water in the landscape. 

From there Denise drove me to Culloden where I did part of the Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns Circular Walk (an 8 mile route) A very thought provoking afternoon. 

The weather has been bitter for the most part today, only warming with a little sunshine later this afternoon. I'm hoping it'll be a tad warmer and less low cloud tomorrow else I'm going to be starting in mist when I'm descending and then climbing for the first part of The Great Glen Way.

2022 - Base Camp 1!

I can't believe how nice the weather has been on our way up to Inverness. Almost wall to wall sunshine. I have to admit that the road trip has been excellent. 

We knew we were getting closer to the start point when the hills & occasional steep-sided lumps began to get bigger, more frequent and eventually with frosting of snow

We had a lovely coffee stop at Laggan Wolftrax Mountain Biking Trail Centre. As Denise said - "Bloody lovely coffee!" We sat in the sunshine by a babbling tarn and savoured the moment.

We had decided to travel the route up the A82 from Spean Bridge to Inverness so we could see where my drop-off & pick-up points were. My goodness, folks don't hang about on that road despite all the twists & turns!!

At Base Camp 1 (Inverness) for 2 days before moving to Base Camp 2 (Fort Augustus) for the remainder. Walking starts tomorrow in the Inverness area.

2022 - Two days to go!

Today I had a lovely suprise when loads of my Worcester family & friends turned up at Papas Café to see me off on my way up to Scotland.

That lovely Denise had organised for Dawn, Rob, Tuanjai, Lucy, Dan & young Franklyn and Gareth & young Halle kindly gave up their time to wish me well on my Scotland walk.

Thanks everyone xx

So now I'm on my way via Carlisle for tonight. Inverness here we come xx

2022 - Planning Over - Almost at the Start

 Easter Sunday 2022

Sunday 17th April

In a few days time Denise and I will be travelling up to Scotland to start the latest of my annual 100 Mile walks for charity.

My Route

The planning is over, all my kit is laid out ready for packing and I have all the maps and information that I could possibly need (I hope!!)

So, before I set off I wanted to say a huge "Thank-you" to every single person who has already donated to my walk and thus to my two chosen charities. I am well aware of the huge strain on finances in this current economic situation and the way that Covid has affected people. I am also more than aware that there are disastrous situations all over the world needing our aid and attention. Nevertheless I am hugely grateful for all of the donations I have received and assure everyone that almost every penny goes to further the work of both charities. 

For the National Caribbean Monument Charity that means upholding and remembering the sacrifices made by Caribbean people in support of the British Empire. They also  hope to reinforce their contributions through presentations and literature, educational programmes to schools, churches, organisations and the general public thus creating a legacy for present and future generations.   

Proposed NCMC Monument

The Women's Royal Army Corps Association's aim is to maintain contact between former members of the QMAAC, ATS and WRAC and women still serving in the ARMY thereby fostering esprit de Corps, comradeship and welfare. With regards to welfare they aim to relieve those in need by making grants or providing or paying for goods, services or facilities for them. Female veterans are still a largely forgotten group within the military and the particularly the general population and the Association tries to bridge that gap.

So that's the reason I do this completely bonkers thing!! To try and raise the profile of veterans; to remind the world that we do exist, that we have served and in many cases have made sacrifices. Also to remind other female veterans that we can own and validate our previous service to the crown and country and be proud of our veteran status.

I'll climb down from my soap-box now and "gird my loins" for the challenge ahead. A small matter of 100 miles of walking to complete in a week. I am hoping to meet up with some other WRAC Veterans during this walk; Moira and Ann are going to meet me as I amble around the Inverness area on Friday at the start of the walk; Liz and Janette are going to meet me at Fort William as I end the walk on the following Thursday. The intervening days will be me keeping my head down & focused on the task in hand whilst Denise picks up the pieces and patches me together!!

You can donate to my walk by following the link below:

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/marg-davies-100-mile-walking-challenge