Thursday 8 May 2014

Day four, Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy, Wednesday 7th May

An easy day after yesterday! 
The guide book says 13.5 miles 1775 feet of ascent.
After such a poor walk from the WHW into Crianlarich we decided to take the lesser used access from Crianlarich via Boogle Glen.
We were treated to some lovely scenery



Walking through a conifer plantation with views back over the hills. 

The clouds lowered and the rain came in, light at first as we walked through woodland pausing for a moment under the shelter of the stone viaduct of the Oban  railway, taking a path parallel to the main road (A82) . At its end we crossed the road and the River Fillan
and headed towards St Fillan's Chapel


The above view is of the grave yard. 
The valley opens out giving magnificent views if only the clouds would disappear!
Easy walking now along a track but the rain showers become heavier, we walk along the River Cononish pass the old bridge.

Pass the now disused lead workings and into Tyndrum walking up to the lower station, here we found some shelter to eat our excellent packed lunch. We were both cold tired and very damp, if a train had arrived I think we both would have got on it, despite wherever it was going.
After this break we put our back packs on again and and trudged back to the Way

This was the view to inspire us, forded the river and set if on the last stretch to the Bridge of Orchy mainly on the Old Military road, there were couples a long way in front of us so I set the pace up the road to get warm and some miles under our belt. The rain seemed to have eased so we could at least walk with our hoods down and see the scenery and hear the traffic on the A82.
We got in in good time by 4pm the B&B was most welcoming having the heating in to dry our wet gear. 
A couple of cups a tea later after a shower and we were good to go fro supper at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel just a stones throw away. 
We walked in the place was buzzing, a pint and an enquiry for food turned a big negative they were fully booked it was only 7pm. What to do? The fig rolls and Tunnocks caramel wafers didn't seem enough. We returned to the B&B were told of a bus to Tyndrum and a taxi back, problem solved, supper was to be had in the Tyndrum Inn, and taxi booked to get us back, seemed ironic to have to travel back for food but we were very grateful.
The gps had 11.44 miles covered with 1581 feet of ascent, the heart rate monitor agreed with an easy day 3441 calories and max heart rate of 148.
I'm grateful for the B&B having wifi to get these last two blogs posted.



1 Comments:

At 8 May 2014 at 14:03 , Blogger Dave Butcher said...

Good old Scottish hospitality! We've run across this too. Shame they couldn't sort you out for food.

 

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