Walk day 7: to Fort William

We made it!

For a variety of reasons, today may have been the toughest. True, it was on the long side, and for some reason the trail was particularly busy (especially in the morning). Also true, it drizzled all day long and was rather cold. But more than these things, it’s tough to march to the end.

The actual walking today started with another long and steep climb out of the valley. From there it was fairly flat except for 3 short hills. We walked through the same beautiful and empty expanses as the previously two days. Then a long descent alongside Ben Nevis into Fort William.

As I’ve mentioned, there are a pretty limited number of ways to do this trek. As a result, many people doing it are more or less following the same schedule. So we’ve been seeing many of the same people day after day and have become pretty friendly with some. Sally, a British mother of two who includes in her kit of essentials, by her own reporting, an awful lot beauty regime products. Jan, a smiley and friendly Danish man who has also done the Camino. Kimberley and Daryl, two fairly young Brits we’ve had drinks with a few evenings. And more. Lovely people, all of them. Bonus for Karen to have more chatty people around than yours truly.

The West Highland Way was harder than I expected. I was fully prepared for waaaay more walking than I’d ever done and the sore feet and legs that would result from that. But the actual terrain and paths were fairly challenging and the distances between amenities surprised me a few times. Prior to doing it I would have assumed any able bodied person with a little determination could take it one. But I think a certain level of fitness is required.

We had really nice places to stay and great food along the way, so we were quite pampered. And the weather was much better than I ever could have hoped for, so we were also very lucky. The scenery was obviously spectacular. Highly recommend the whole thing. Especially in the shoulder season.

Speaking of pampered, had a delicious pat on the back meal tonight. Venison lasagna, a veggie pie and sticky toffee pudding (which was gone so fast we didn’t get a picture 😋).

Blessedly, Karen has come to her senses about climbing Ben Nevis tomorrow so we are just going to relax a bit and sort out the bike and gear for my solo adventure. Won’t be posting so I’ll be back in touch after I do a day of biking on Saturday. I hope I remember how to ride a bike (it’s been almost 2 weeks 😱), and also that I can figure out how to ride on the left side of the road!