Day 357: Strachur to Arrochar

Best bits: amazing views

Worst bits: fast traffic and a near miss

Distance: 20 miles

Days to the finish: 8

This morning was a total white out. The mist was low and obliterated all views around me. It hung heavily over Loch Fyne.

I waited for the sun to rise before I set off as I was walking on a busy A road even though I had my hi viz vest on and several flashing lights about my person.

I was constantly jumping in and out of the road as big trucks came past really fast. The sun was trying its best to come out but it was very cold in the shade and I had to resort to my hand warmer.

My first stop of the day was at the Ancient Tinkers Heart where Scottish Tinkers gathered for weddings, baptisms and funerals.

This was also where Kiara met me with a big flask of tea and a box of Tunnocks teacakes. The mist was still completely covering Loch Fyne.

The sun started to come out and illuminated thousands of spiders webs in the grass and trees. The mist had left water droplets hanging on the threads of each web.

I was now off the busy A road into a single track side road that these guys had closed so for a change there was no traffic for me to negotiate. We had a great chat and I even got some hugs. Then we parted company as the local bus needed to get through. The bus driver offered me a lift but I had to decline.

The only sounds were that of water in the river and from the Moses Well which has been here for over 100 years.

The next section was uphill through Gleann Mor following the river which was running really fast and full from all the recent rain.

Although the road was single track it was busier here. A van travelling at speed downhill didn’t see me until the last minute and breaked so hard that it left a skid mark on the road!

Eventually I was at the top of the hill and onto the ‘Rest and be thankful’ view point at the head of Glen Croe, it is the highest point on the A83. It’s named for the place where travellers historically rested and were thankful for reaching the top of the steep climb. I did the same.

Now it was time to start the descent into the Glen along the Military Road.

After crossing the busy A83 I was climbing again, this time through the forest. I met quite a few people here. Finally just as it started to rain the path descended steeply to the road and the car park where Kiara was waiting for me.

We had to go back to Strachur to collect Priscilla. The mist had finally lifted over Loch Fyne and was replaced by the sun shining through the clouds.

After booking in at our campsite at Arrochar with a man wearing a Spider-Man hat we broke out the wine! I took a shower then we wandered into town as the sun was setting over Loch Long.

Kiara had picked the Cu Mara Bistro in Arrochar for our evening meal. What an excellent choice that was. The decor and ambiance was welcoming, the staff were attentive and the food and drink were excellent. I enjoyed my raspberry daiquiri so much I had to have another.