The Great Glen Way, Day 1

I am so terrible at typing on this iPad. Sorry about errors. I also cannot go back to fix thing or I find that I can't get back to the bottom of my text. There Is a lot to learn! So, onward, as is.

We woke up to SUNSHINE!!!!! What a thrill after all the wet gray weather which gad been forecast. so we had a royal breakfast at the Gantocks. the works, and the softest scones I ever knew. we packed up our bags, 18 kilo limit each (we are right there ore a little over) and left them in the front hall for the tour operator to fetch and bring to the next place we would be staying. Tred had already walked to town because he woke up so early... For the rest of us it was our first step out into a beautiful new landscape. Suddenly we could see mountains. We walked down to the village, got some more food for the trail, and started.

For the most part today, we were walking along the Caledonian Canal. Flat easy pathway, with the canal on one side and the river on our right. Drew and I stopped in some woods before leaving the village of Fort William to do a little ritual for Andy. I took a tiny packet of ashes out, and sprinkled them in the ferns where they would wadi out into the Firth, and out a little paper crane down in the tall grasses. I have brought nine of these to do along our journey. I sniffled and sobbed a little for what a fine young man he was, and all he should have had in a longer life. Then we walked on. Right around the bend, we met a scruffy young man and his girlfriend. He was spluttering with righteous annoyance over the littering that people had done along the path. F---ing terrible I call it, he fumed. We agreed, and Drew commented that we could take that moment as a sort of sign. Seemed right!

We stopped mid-day for a little smackerel of lunch. Walk walk walk... Saw some old stone houses, an aqueduct, horse, dogs, met one couple doing the same hike... And arrived at Gairlochy around 2 or 3. The proprietor of B&B in Spean Bridge, Smiddy's, came to pick us up. We whizzed down one lane roads, pulling over when necessary. Passed a ww1 and ww2 memorial that we will see again tomorrow. We learned that troops from all over Europe came to train in these hills. OH PETE by the way I met a van load of Cross Fit guys at the supermarket in Fort William! they said they would look for you in the regionals. : )

Now we are having a little quiet time before dinner. Drew went for another little walk. Lizzie is having a nap. I am close to one myself. Our feet are fine but we're still getting used to the time change! Ok maybe I will go take a wee bit of Aleve, just to make sure.

Does anyone have any ideas about inserting photos???????
When I try to do it, the select photo button is gray, no can do. Arg!

tomorrow, up Loch Lochy.
Love to all, Sarah