PLEASE REFER DOWN THIS PAGE TO FIND MORE WHAT WE HAVE WRUT.
FAMOUS QUOTES BY DANS' (pic. above shows the Stag's Head in the Bridge of Orchy Hotel with a Dans' hat on)
1.Having just completed the West Highland Way, our intrepid band of explorers make there way to the chippie in Fort William. The following is a true account of what was said within the establishment. "A Veggie Burger Supper please". (Sorry, we are out of Veggie Burgers). "Oh! just give me a Black Pudding Supper then".
2. Walking over the Kilpatrick Hills towards Mugdock Park to the following words of wisdom.
"Isn't it strange to think that one day those wee lambs will land on someones plate as a PORK CHOP!
3. (All heart!) As one member lay on the hills three miles outside of Fort William, (having fractured his leg - unknown at the time). The following kindness washed from a member..."you lot head into Glen Nevis and pitch the tents". "I will stay here with him, and if the worst comes to the worst .... I will just leave him here.
(You now have to imagine this person in severe pain, surrounded by "mates" absolutely gutting themselves laughing at the above.
INVERARNAN - CRIANLARICH and CRIANLARICH - TYNDRUM
"We shall gather round the river", would be the appropriate song this morning. Venturing out of our tents we notice no fewer than six other tents pitched on the rockery. How they managed to pitch tents in the dark in this field is beyond us, (remembering that you have now read enough of this to know that most things are beyond us!).
We all have a quick splash in the cold running water and head off towards Crianlarich.
It's a great feeling to get the old sodden boots back on. Did I mention it was still raining?
Not the nicest of days, or starts to a 'stretch', we pick our way along a muddy track and talk of the scenery that awaits us .... and the grub.
This is one of the quicker stretches, although the mud made it heavy going on this occasion. The Crianlarich Tearoom at the railway station is a welcome site. We decide to go in for a coffee before finding a place to stop and make lunch. All good intentions fade as a lady passes our table with a big plate of pie, chips and beans. "We'll have four of those missus".
Feeling much better for our feed, we take some pictures of Ben More before heading off towards Tyndrum.
Climbing up the steep slope on leaving Crianlarich the view opening up in front of us is quite spectacular. This stretch of the 'Way', on this occasion, was one of the more pleasant underfoot. As we follow Danny, (God forgive us), towards the deer fence and stile, we can't help but notice ALL the other footprints in the mud are coming towards us. A quick about turn, a wee moan at the afore mentioned "navigator" and we are back on track.
We have a brief blether with three lads from Glasgow on this stretch. They inform us they hope to finish the walk in another two stretches. Pushing it a bit we thought, but good luck to them.
The strangest thing happened on this our forth day out ... the sun came out! Almost strolling now, we head around by the farms and along the riverbank towards the Pine Trees Caravan Park and Tyndrum. The site of the shower rooms fairly brought a smile to our faces.
Rustling up 'whatever it was', we have our dinner and then charge towards the showers.
The water must be dirty up here, you should see the colour of it in our shower area. All ideas of taking time to enjoy the warmth of the showers completely disappear when a member of our merry band attemts a song.
Spending the evening in the Invervey Hotel,with good hospitality and even better banter made it a very enjoyable time. Practically everyone we had met so far on the 'Way' we met again in the Hotel.
Two women from the Lake District, who for the first couple of days we only saw when they stopped to eat, join our company. Their fitness and strength over the 'Way' earns them the nickname, ' The Kendal Rockets'. They have walked practically all of the long distance routes to date, and have found the West Highland Way the most enjoyable.
At the end of the night, as people head to their Hotel rooms, we know they are all jealous of us heading to our modern, fully equipped two man tents with posture springing 'green grun'.
