Day two, Drymen to Rowardennan, Monday 5th May

After posting the last blog it was nesassry   to slip over to the Clachan inn where the Huricane Jack was well recommend, we demolished the lamb and staggered back over to Braeside for another excellent nights sleep.

Colin cooked us up a superb Scottish breakfast.

We were soon on our way the guidebook says 13.5 miles to Rowardennan, we left on the official route out of the village a gentle stroll on the road then taking us up  on forestry land where a digger was busy sorting out the remaining roots as the trees had been felled.

As we gained ascent the views over Loch Lommond became more extensive

as did our next challenge Conic Hill standing at 1184 ft.

This was a bit of a grunt just a matter of plodding up, gasping for air and being aware the heart rate was 169 my max should be 164 for my age!

No sooner were we up and the descent was just a steep with plenty or steps to get you back down.

At a lower altitude we drop through the wood above Balmaha, where we tried some arty photos.

Visited the visitor centre, the two rangers were most helpful, giving advice regarding the weather and our plans for later in the week. Allan was disappointed there was no ice cream to be purchased, we pressed on as rain was due by 13.00.

We stopped off at Milarrochy Bay campsite where Allan found his Crunchie ice cream,

and I commented how Mars bars had shrunk in size from my day, only to find I had been sold a multi pack bar!

Moving on we had some gentle wood walking there were some big spots of rain, but we continued on over the next hill before togging up. The last of Jacqui's rocky road and an apple lifted our spirits. 

So much so we missed the turn and continued further down a track into Ross Woods. The track petered out and we explored fully Ross Point, bush waking ourselves back onto the WHW!

Our return to civilisation was greated by the wild man of the woods who wanted us to complain of the poor signpost we had missed!

It was just a plod on an undulating terrain to Rowardennan, we resisted stopping at the hotel to  sample their ales and arrived at the YHA rather shattered, Kelly in reception got us checked in and 2 bottles of beer each and we were sorted.

Heart rate monitor said 4975 calories so we are good for the full three course dinner Allan has arranged. Sat nav reports 15.64 miles 2270 ft of ascent average speed 2.2 miles an hour.

It was a good day.