Category: JOGLE 2017

Woke up to sunshine after a rainy night and got away quite late but was soon into the calf-warming climb up into the countryside and onto the Dere Street old roman road which used to connect York to Edinburgh. The path varied from stony farm track to uneven bridle path to country lane as it undulated its way towards the Cheviot Hills 

With a last look at the Scottish skyline I climbed up into the hills and after a wrong turn following 2 walkers with a dog finally made it to the Pennine Way and back into England, then back into Scotland again twice before eventually crossing the border into Northumberland for good after almost 23 days and 460 miles full of amazing memories. 

The English skyline spread before me – I was sure could see as far as the North Yorkshire moors. 

The Pennine Way memories started to return as I tramped the last few miles off the Cheviots and down the steep rocky, then muddy path into Byrness. Met some nice people today  … a lady whose father had died from  prostate cancer and two guys doing the Pennine Way who knew all about me before I even spoke! They had met Cath already at Byrness campsite – she really is doing an amazing job supporting me – things like that give me an enormous lift when I am tired. Tomorrow will be a tent night at Stonehaugh.

We escaped the “uncomfortable” campsite in Selkirk quite early and I spent the first part of today climbing up through the steep streets and out into the countryside. The first 7 miles were on country lanes and farm tracks as views of the Cheviot Hills appeared on the horizon  I stopped in a lovely little village of Bowden and chatted briefly with some really nice people who asked about my charity. The next section was an uneven muddy path through farmland and woods bringing me out on a lane which led to St Cuthberts Way running parallel to the A68 but far enough away to not hear the traffic. The rain threatened but never broke more than a drizzle as I finally reached Teviotdale and crossed the river on a wobbly footbridgebefore covering the last few miles into Jedburgh. Overall quite a flat day, pace was good and I added another photo to my “Useless Stiles” collection!Tomorrow I leave Scotland – can’t really believe it…

Struggled to get up today but once I did it was all good (apart from episode 2 of the Arla yoghurt saga, that is – Strawberry flavour ok but yoghurt too thick for my liking). Started with a walk through the pretty town of Peebles then onto the Drovers Path up and up and up even more onto moorland over Kailzie and Kirkhope Law to 1800feet and great views aroundthen descended with a map misread via some farm tracks to TraquairAfter a brief rest I then embarked on the second climb of the day up to historic Minch Moor – sharing the Southern Upland Way for a few miles as the wind and rain arrived.The long path down brought me to Yarrowford with its nearby ruined castle where I met some friendly local people and it seemed they all knew very quickly the reason for my visit. A few miles later I crossed a nice little footbridge over Ettrick Water before the last couple of miles on a minor road into Selkirk and camp at the leisure centre – there are not many people here and we do feel a little vulnerable…Enjoyed the walk today although it was quite tough. Tomorrow is my last full day in Scotland!

Broke the 400 mile mark today, pretty pleased with that! It rained all morning so it was good to have a short day and get dry and rested. Food is becoming a topical subject – I’m not a big eater but the evident weight loss needs to be addressed, although the breakfast 20g protein yoghurt was revolting (passion fruit and papaya from Arla, sorry guys) but I’m sure the strawberry flavour will be fine! The walk continued on the Drovers Road and took me along a road and up into some woods and moorland before climbing into a dark forest section. It descended to farmland where I met Hannibal Lecter the horse before climbing again over a hill and dropping down into Peebles. Heavy rain but not too windy. Let’s get the bad weather done before I hit the Pennine Way next week.

The overnight worries about a possible shin splint were dealt with by some of Cath’s adept strapping skills and a change of footwear – Altberg boots replacing Salomon shoes – and it worked. The first 5 miles along the canal past the enormous shale bings peculiar to this area (wierd memories of Ayres Rock came to mind) 

and through the town of Broxburn – not the prettiest place on the planet but some very friendly dog walkers. I eventually left the Canal at Lins Mill Aqueduct and had a nice woodland path all the way to the other side of Mid Calder, sadly spoiled by a very pungent smelling sewage plant – even with my weak sense of smell it was seriously bad. A quick lunch stop by the busy A81 and then onwards to the Pennine Way-esque route through the Pentland Hills towards West Linton via Corston Hill, with superb panoramic views, and the delightfully named Cauldstane Slap ​​along the old Drovers/Thieves path, opening up views of the Southern Uplands still to come. A short day tomorrow to Peebles should be good to recharge the batteries for the challenges to follow. Note to self: must eat more!

Today we said goodbye and a massive thanks to Jan and Dave for their support – the company, encouragement and friendship has been amazing. After a dull 9 miles and only one boat in sight we met at the Falkirk wheel as I left the Forth and Clyde Canal and walked up via the tunnel to the Union Canal for the rest of the day. Cath had taken PJ to a vet in Falkirk and his paw is still in one piece, a new dressing and more antibiotics. I set off again with still a long way to go heading east towards Linlithgow via the long, dark Falkirk tunnel. The towpath was becoming quite hard on the legs, my right shin starting to ache. The scenery was OK but no real views so I just marched onward until I met Ally again sitting on a bench looking quite tired. He had a painful blister and was struggling so had decided to go to a campsite nearby. After a quick chat we wished each other luck and on I went. Some time later I passed two guys in kayaks on the Canal and said hello. Not long after I met a lady who had found a mobile phone on a bench. The phone was unlocked so I dialled a recent contact. It was the owner’s son. I explained what had happened, took his address and promised to mail the phone to him. Feeling good about my deed I ignored my leg pain and sped on. A short while later I was asked about the phone by two ladies – still no idea how they knew but almost immediately a man appeared – instantly I knew this was the owner of the phone and he knew I had recovered it for him. It turned out that he was one of the guys in kayaks I had spoken to earlier and after I told him what I’m doing It transpired that he has an enlarged prostate, so I gave him my details and asked if he would donate. He was extremely grateful and promised he would. I will not name him here for obvious reasons. That event buoyed me for the last 5 miles or so till I reached Winchburgh in the sunshine and the Tally Ho hotel where we camp tonight. Right shin is sore so will have to monitor that.

An early taxi from Milarrochy to Drymen and I picked up the West Highland Way for a few miles as the mountains behind me slowly disappeared and the Campsie Fells appeared in front.After a quick pit stop at Oak Tree Garden Centre (too many beans last night!) I joined the old railway line path heading for Kirkintilloch via Strathblane and Lennoxtown. At Dumgoyne I left the West Highland Way for good and carried straight on along the John Muir Way. After a mile of so of muddy, boggy woodland path I encountered another walker looking  for the route. After the usual “where are you going?” introduction I discovered this was Ally, the same guy that Cath met in Wick on 30th April who started his JOGLE walk the same day as me!!! We walked together for 5 miles or so and shared some of our experiences so far until we met Cath, Jan and Dave at Lennoxtown for a lunch stop. Ally left before me – an independent guy and doing it the hard way, wild camping – full respect! After lunch the last 9 miles of so to Kilsyth were distinctly uneventful – I joined the Forth and Clyde canal towpath and did not see a single boat until reaching the Boathouse marina at Auchinstarry where we camped for the night.

With a shorter day in store had a more relaxed start then a lift back to a start point close to where we finished yesterday. It was great to have Dave Smith join me again for the morning and we covered the 5 miles back to Milarrochy at a reasonably leisurely pace with a couple of calf-warming climbs on the way along the Loch side path. Some much better views across the water today. After lunch and feeling physically a bit better than yesterday I headed off alone towards Drymen…and once again the heavens opened. With 3 choices of route to Drymen, excluding the main road, I opted to miss out going over Conic Hill in the clouds and took the alternative West Highland Way through Milton of Buchanan and up into the forest above Drymen for some final views of Loch Lomond before dropping back down to finish mid afternoon as the sun came out. Tomorrow it’s goodbye to the West Highland Way and hello to the canals as I start eastwards towards the borders. Over 300 miles now – can’t really believe it’s that far!

Yeah! 29 miles!!! Woke up with a blocked nose and sore throat – the bug is catching. Decided to just crack on with it in the rain and see shag happened. Set off at a pace towards lunchtime target at Inverarnan. A mixture of forest, some steep uphill, farm track across fell and under A82 a couple of times before final drag down to Loch Lomond. Plenty of wet walkers going the other way. At lunch with support crew decided to not carry tent in the afternoon and walk to Rowardennan and look for bed in bunkhouse or Youth Hostel. The next 6 hours were a mental test. First the long slow section along the Loch with some very difficult terrain to pass. At Inversnaid I had an option to stop but it was too early and I felt physically good. It didn’t stop raining all afternoon, at that point you couldn’t even see across the Loch in the cloud. I carried on for another 3 hours, forsaking the option to sleep in Rowchoish Bothy and headed onto Rowardennan, now feeling quite tired as it started to get dark in the forest. At Rowardennan all possible sleeping options were fully booked do I had to call Cath for a pickup. At first no answer so no choice but to carry on walking. After another mile or so I got a call back and was finally picked up and taken to the camp at Milarrochy. 29 miles, 11 hours and 6500 feet ascent. Too tired to do much except shower eat and sleep with the prospect of an easier day tomorrow.

A day of 19 miles in variable weather – one those where you put wet gear on and know that the minute you take it off it will start raining again. We left the stunning scenery of Glencoe in miserable conditions, Shirley accompanying me again, and climbed steadily and then down to cross the vast plain of Rannoch Moor, dealing with hail stones, intermittent rainfall and bouts of warm sunshine. 

The path was a bit hard on the feet as we rounded Black Mount towards Loch Tulla and the small hotel at Inveroran. There was then a steep climb up and over an unexpectedly high hill with great views before descending through pleasant woods into Bridge of Orchy for lunch with the waiting party. 

Dave Smith joined us after lunch for the 7 mile stretch to Tyndrum – a pleasant, dry Sunday afternoon stroll with a small route finding hiccup (missed signpost) caused by deep conversation about something or other. Soon rectified we strode the last yards into Tyndrum just as the rain arrived. 

I will be off on my own tomorrow night down the east side of Loch Lomond as the posse take the road to the west – mustn’t forget my tent!