Day 1 Great Glen Way – Fort William to Garlochy

The day after a rest day is sometimes tough, it’s a mental thing.  So when the day started out as cold, windy and rainy it was even tougher.  I dawdled after breakfast, a lot, delayed some more and finally headed out in the rain.

The trail is a bit confusing coming out of Fort William and the rain blowing directly in my face didn’t help my mood.  Hell I even had to dodge a boat on the trail.

There was also a highland bull.

Then, with my head down, i quickly took note of a waymark but missed the arrow, went off path and got lost. Stopped in a store to get directions and although it worked out, the woman thought I was an idiot and actually yelled at me. My mood was not good.

I found my way back to Neptune’s Staircase, the loch ladder on the canal, and got underway again.  Not the most exciting hiking on the canal path but it was peaceful.  I got into a rhythm and the rain abated.

The final kick of the day was that the tour company screwed up and a transfer from the trail to where I’m staying cost me 50 pounds.  Waaay cheaper than a taxi and I just wasn’t up for walking another 4 miles at the end of the day.

But my friends, perspective is important, as I said yesterday, a bad day on the trail is still better than a good day in the office.  I got a Magnum White ice cream bar, a little dinner and worked out a ride to the trail in the morning. So it’s all worked and looking forward to a happy day tomorrow,  no adventure ever goes off without a hitch. – Rev Kane