Day 3. Rowardennan to Inverarnan

Day three took us to the half way mark in our Scholarship of the Way. It was an eventful day. We had been advised that the first part - to Inversnaid - was easy but after that it got difficult. Immediately after Rowardennan there was a steep climb which then promptly took us back down to a short distance along the road we had left. Seemed a bit pointless really! Also, we had been told that there were two paths, the higher route through the forest was easier but not so interesting. I didn't see where the path divided but whichever path I was on (I think it was the lower one as it was along the lochside) it was not 'easy'. In fact this was where I stopped thinking of the West Highland Way as being a 'walk'! There is so much clambering up and over rocks and then down the other side that it should be called 'mountaineering'!
Unfortunately I took a tumble crossing a stream and pulled a muscle in my calf quite early in the day. Thankfully, at that point I was on my own and the undignified and rapid acquaintance with the ground was not witnessed! I was able to continue but it was eventually going to become a problem. A second problem was my much hated waterproof trousers which restricted movement and, unsurprisingly, given their tightness and the effort needed to get over some of the hurdles, eventually gave way to pressure in the nether regions! They would not be worn again!
After a long and wet 5 hours I made it to Inversnaid where we all met up for a well earned rest. While the other Drs were ready to continue I decided to retreat to the ferry across the loch and on to Inverarnan where I would line up the beers for the others arriving. The Drover's Inn at Inverarnan is something to behold. From the outside it looks like Disney's Tower of Terror or a haunted house. It is a 18th century building after all! Inside the reception area the guest is met by a host of stuffed creatures including a full sized standing bear! Quaint, is the word I think, to describe it all!
The second half of the journey was even more difficult than had been expected with one intrepid Dr announcing, while sliding down the side of a large rock, that she felt like Lara Croft. It is an image that has stuck in our minds to recall our journey! Large beers were needed. And I had to apologise to one of the Scholarship sisters for being very tetchy with her while she offered a hand to steady me on the way up an inconvenient boulder. I had wanted to swear very loudly at the rock and vent my anger and had misdirected my rudeness.
'Rude?' said the helpful Dr, 'You can't be rude to me. I'm German!'
All was smoothed over and with food and whiskey inside it was time for bed before the next stage.

Day 2: Drymen to Rowardennan

A good sleep and a hearty breakfast set us all up for the second day of walking. The weather was good which was a bonus but not too hot to drain us of energy. We were soon off the road and heading up hill through trees and some stunning views, especially as we came in sight of Loch Lomond. Drs Crerar and Metze decided to take the route up Conic Hill while Dr Roexe and myself took the low road to Balmaha in order to preserve feet from too many blisters and knees/ankles from too many aches. The low road probably wasn't as scenic and much of it was along a road but we arrived in Balmaha with plenty of rest time before the others caught up with us.
Lunch in the local hostelry recharged the batteries somewhat and we were ready to set off on the next part of the journey. The Scholarship of the Way were in good spirits and as our overnight accommodation was actually en route to Rowardennan we decided to call ahead to see if we could drop off our backpack as we passed to save us carrying them the last few miles.
This was an excellent plan as it turned out. The last part of the day's walk was harder with lots of up and down climbing. On one particularly horrible, stepped section I was despairing (and swearing) when Dr Crerar had the most excellent idea of naming each step after a Cabinet member. As a consequence there are now steps on the Way that will forever be called F*cking Michael Gove, F*cking Theresa May, F*cking David Davis, Boris f*cking Johnston etc (there were a lot of steps and all were named!) Each step got a whack with my walking poles (named Biff and Boff) as we named them. It was surprisingly therapeutic and morale boosting.
The Clansman in Rowardennan provided a welcome retreat for food and beer at the end of the day before Ivor from the B&B we were staying in came to collect us to take us to our very welcome overnight rest on the shores of the loch. Ivor and his wife Izzi were fabulous hosts and after what was undoubtedly the best breakfast on the walk, Ivor dropped us back in Rowardennan the next morning with packed lunches provided by Izzi. I heartily recommend staying at Anchorage Cottage with Ivor and Izzi (and Haggis the cat) if you are in that neck of the woods. You will have a warm welcome and a very comfortable stay. http://www.anchoragecottage.co.uk/

A Late Update

Wifis, or lack of wifis, did not permit me to keep a running commentary of my walk along the West Highland Way. Since I completed the walk and returned home 'life' has got in the way and I have been remiss in updating you good readers of my escapades from Milngavie to Fort William. I will try to update here and thank all those who so kindly donated to my fundraising page. There is still some time to add a small donation if you find my efforts in any way worthwhile or amusing. Every little helps a great cause.
Day1. Milngavie to Drymen. First of all I have to offer huge thanks to The Other Dr Crerar who kindly transported the walking Drs from Edinburgh to Milngavie for the start of the walk. We arrived at the starting point in good time and in comfort and began with a photo opportunity and a quick coffee. I had imagined the first part of the walk to be through suburban shopping centres or industrial units but in fact the path immediately enters the wooded Mugdock Country Park and gives the walk a real country feel from the outset.Unfortunately the last part of the walk to Drymen is along the road which is not so pleasant although the countryside is still beautiful.
For some reason, which we never discovered, the approach to Drymen had road signs saying 'Drive Carefully. Hobbits' and 'The Shire'. As we were also on an adventure and all adventurers need a collective name we decided to call ourselves The Fellowship of the Way.
In Drymen we stayed at Kip in the Kirk. The bunk room (2 sets of bunk beds) was small but it had a fabulous en suite shower room! A large walk in shower with flip flops and micro fibre towels provided - just what weary walkers needed to freshen up. We were welcomed with tea and scones - a real treat after a day's walking!
The weather was mostly good, although after a break for lunch it looked like it could rain so I put on my waterproof trousers, which leads me to my rant. Walking is considered one of the best forms of exercise and as such should surely be encouraged, especially among the under-active and overweight. As I fall into those categories I was more than disappointed to discover how difficult it was to get large sized walking gear. Staff in Cotswold's were more than helpful and I really appreciated the advice and tips I received regarding my walking boots and shoes but getting my size in walking trousers, fleeces etc was problematic. I eventually bought trousers and waterproof trousers on ebay and I had to buy a man's fleece.
The waterproof trousers were 2 sizes bigger than I usually wear but were still very tight. Getting them on was a problem and once they were on I really didn't want all the effort of getting them off again when it stopped raining! Furthermore, they stopped water getting in but they also stopped sweat getting out with the result that by the time I got to Drymen my leggings were soaking and very uncomfortable! So, come on outdoor companies! Get a better range of clothing for larger women (and possibly men too - I didn't really study the options for men). I hope that walking will mean that I will not always continue to be a larger woman but it would be nice to be able to get activity-appropriate gear while I am.