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The Existential Crusade:
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Russell Bowry Does John O'Groats to Land's End Oct 3rd 2006 Episode Two : Fort William to Edinburgh |
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West Highland Way
Rannoch Moor |
The Crusade is now 353 miles long, and today I am resting in Edinburgh. The last 150 miles has been composed of 90 miles along the West Highland Way, 50 along the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the last 10 miles over the Pentland Hills just south of Edinburgh. It has been fairly hard going at times, but the wonderful scenery has made up for it. The highlight was certainly Rannoch Moor, where there is a warning before you enter, which says words to the effect of "If you don't back yourself, turn back now." Fortunately, I do back myself, and walked through the 10 miles of desolate landscape without too much trouble, although at one point I did consider killing a sheep when the weather turned suddenly, by cutting it open and sleeping inside like that bit in The Empire Strikes Back. But I decided against it when I realised both that my walking stick wasn't very sharp, and that the sun had come out, and the weather was pleasant again. |
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There have been 2 other incidents of note. Firstly, when I was walking just north of Glasgow, in a tiny village called Strathblane, I noticed a familiar face on the other side of the road, went over to talk to him, and realised it was a player, albeit a useless one who only played when I was desperate, from my legendary Bristol University 4th xi hockey team which I captained way back in 2002! A very unlikely meeting indeed! And secondly, yesterday, when crossing the Pentland Hills as mentioned above, I noticed some rather dark clouds buildng behind me, so I attempted to outrun them, but lost the race, and my bearings, and ended up getting bully-rammed by lashings of freezing cold rain and I almost got killed when I lost the path and practically rolled down the hillside to relative safety. All in all, the walk is progressing well, and I shall be out of Scotland in 5 days time. In some ways I will be sad to leave, since I think it is a lovely place and the people are very friendly. But the walk must continue, and the next time you will hear anything, I shall be walking along the Pennine Way. |
