Back again !! – I really do not like to leave a blog unfinished. So the day in question is the 10th July – a Saturday. Apologies for the pause – but life sends you to other places šsometimes- for the best of reasons.
Due to the Kingshouse having a limited availability due to distancing regsā they had arranged for a transfer to Ballachulish āovernight and a return in the morning – so we donāt miss a step of the WHW. Ballachulish is on the sea loch – Loch Leven – and even though 20 minutes drive away ā for the first time in days we could leave our windows open at night ā as on the coast ššNO MIDGES !š¤©
GOATS CHEESE BON BON anyone ?
I had called ahead 2 weeks ago – and been recommended for dinner ā the Laroch Bar . So far ā so normal ā it sounded like a classic village pub with decent hearty food.
Nice surprise ā turns out this restaurant/bar is run by a Michelin starred chef who wanted to return to his home village and took over this redundant pub. Allan and Eileen Donald are earning their star back all over again ā amazing menu.
After a Midge free night we were up early and heading Through the remarkable Glencoe while still mist was low on the hills .
We resisted the Temptation when other hikers got off the minibus at the foot of the Devils Staircase instead of heading 2 miles back to Kingshouse. Two reasons: if youāre walking the WHW you want to cover every step to claim youāve done it. Also ā no one in their right mind would want to tackle the Devils Staircase without a decent walk to warm you up !
A decent warm it is then ….. 2 Miles down Glencoe thereās a sharp right – this is the start of āThe Devils Staircaseā – Iām amused by the wisdom of Sensei Ciara reaching all this way to the start of our day š . Possibly the stretching secret is Thoms superpower ?
The pace is at least 30% quicker with Thom – fearless , nitro-enthusiasm , fit ….. I can see weāll make short work of the day if weāre not careful . As Iām reminded by Thom during the day ā just to amuse me – āwe are quick today dad because youāre with a āBorneo professionalā. I must admit the determination and physical resolve it took for Thom to do 10 weeks building and extreme jungle trekking in Borneo some years ago is impressive.
We make a mental note to stop and smell the flowers , talk to the sheep and add some memories for Roddy .
The Devil staircase is a 45Ā° hour long hike which at this time of the day feels a little bit of a killer ā but once on top – the view opens up and we start to see the runners from the annual āGreat Glencoe Challengeā ā they are 26.2 mile running/walking this terrain ! Respect .
š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ The Highland Getaway š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ
The view from the balcony bar of the Highland Getaway Inn was fabulous , the rooms in cottages attached along the street. Through the garden room door of our room 10 – you see it above – leads to ………
And brews that cater for all tastes. Pint of Moretti and a diet Irn Bru š is not my normal order š
Camino Ramblings . Com 