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.