DAY 2: DRYMEN - ROWARDENNAN

FIrst things first. For those of you who've been worried that we may have had an accident / been abducted by aliens / decided to go to the pub instead, in fact the only reason we've not been updating has been limited wifi. The wifi broke in Drymen and then wasn't great thereafter. 

The route from Drymen to Rowardennan had a few challenges (lots of up and downs) but we made it! The path immediately up from Drymen was challenging as it went up a lot. Then at the top of the hill we went through a forest. Lots of beautiful birds and - we caught a glimpse of a baby deer. He just stood there and watched us.

The walk to Balmaha took us longer than expected but we got there, finally, and had a lovely meal and drinks at the Oak Tree Inn, where we were surrounded by dogs! If there's been a running theme throughout our journey it's been all the dogs we've encountered.

After lunch, a quick photo opp with the statue of Tom Weir. For those of you who don't know who he was, Tom was the brother of the actress Molly Weir and is often referred to as 'Scotland's Alfred Wainwright', doing much to encourage Scots to get out walking.

Balmaha to Rowardennan. Lots of going up /down through a forest, but beautiful. Sharon, who bought new boots only a week before the trip got blisters on the first day so was wearing her walking sandals. Unfortunately just as we got within a few years of The Rowardennan Hotel, she got dirt in one of blisters on her left foot and was in pain.

We limped into the hotel and, as they were about to close the kitchen for all but a tour group, we ordered dinner for ourselves and for Julie who'd been storming ahead all day and was already at our accommodation for the night, Rowardennan Youth Hostel. Julie - who'd never stayed in one before - was impressed.

The views from the youth hostel where the girls had a private room and Sam decided to camp, were spectacular!

Then bed time, in preparation for another long day's walk...