WHW - day 2 - the hard work begins!

From http://bvhill-walkers.blogspot.com/

There's a short video from day 1 that can now be viewed on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0d6PrJUdRw. The camera's microphone caught the wind, so it's hard to make out anything anyone is saying, but at least you can see the scenery.

Our second day didn't start too well - it was wet and misty for our traditional team photo (with Glencoe behind us):

In fact, we hadn't walked 100 yards when Ian decided to don full terrorist gear:

The first bit of the walk was fairly flat and we imagined we might have spotted Jimmy Savile's cottage along the way. Arriving at the foot of the Devil's Staircase, there was an unexpected sign:

It was a fair climb to the top and there was a lot of puffing and panting - mostly from me - but, when we got there, we found out that the posters at the foot of the hill were not a spoof, because there, with wife and small child, is the author, Richard Happer, with his trestle table, signing copies of his latest novel:

We felt we had to buy a few copies and came across some promotional leaflets for the stunt when we arrived later on in Kinlochleven:

Anyway, by now it was noon, and the newly established tradition of a dram at the top had to be done:


Yet another team photo - slightly further on - almost Abbey Road-esque on the stepping stones?:

It had been hard work to get to the top, but it was just as hard getting right back down to sea level again at Kinlochleven, and we were ready for a beer when we arrived at the Tail Race Inn:

The sleeping arrangements were a little odd to say the least - we had one twin room with a double and a single bed, plus one "family room", containing a double bed, a single bed and 2 bunk beds, with nary a gap between them - definitely a bit cosy.

We drew lots for the beds - John got the upper bunk, and, for the second day in a row, Dave got a double bed. Jack got the single bed in the twin room and had earlier been joking about needing his teddy bear for company. Would you believe it, but, when he got to his room, what was waiting for him on the bed? - you guessed it:

The town's microbrewery had closed a few months ago and the Tail Race didn't stock ale any more, so we consulted my GBG app and discovered the Clachaig Inn, apparently just 4 miles away in Glencoe. Of course, that's as the crow flies - it was probably more like 15 miles by road, but we got a large taxi for all 7 of us (Ken had climbed over the hills to meet us for the last day's walk). On the way, Jack spotted the place where his wife, Frances, was born, so after dinner and several ales, he insisted on a detour on the way home:

The Clachaig Inn was superb and we all joined the sing-song in the crowded bar after our meal. It's now on You Tube and can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ca4hj9A_UA

For the record, the stats for today's walk were:

• 9.34 miles
• 4 hours 45 minutes
• 1,755 feet of climbing

Further info below: