Hullo. How are you? I hope you are having a good day. I’m Mark and I’m walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats…
Today’s walk was an easy nine mile amble along the John Muir Way. This is the first of three shorter than usual walks to take me to Balmaha. I hadn’t planned to do this, but it was the only chain of accommodation I could make work. The outcome is three days in a row of low mileage, which I am treating as rest days.
With time on my hands, I first spent some time in Kirkintilloch doing some shopping for toiletries I’m running low on. I then set off towards Milton of Campsie along the gentle footpath I’d be on for most of the day.
The weather was absolutely perfect today and my gaze kept being drawn to the Campsie Fells, which were my companion for the whole day.
At Milton, the old station now forms part of the path and gives the walker access to the town and its amenities.
Of all the walking I have done since leaving Land’s End, the section of the John Muir Way at Milton has so far been the busiest. Not surprising on such a glorious morning, the path was busy with other walkers, cyclists, joggers, dog walkers, people en route to and from work, and other long distance hikers.
I chatted to a couple who were walking the length of the John Muir, which is a coast-to-coast trail, and we exchanged stories of the trials and tribulations of walking every day.
The greeting du jour, which almost everyone I passed said today, was “nice weather for it.”
It certainly was.
Shortly before arriving into Strathblane, I crossed the border from East Dunbartonshire into Stirling, adding another county to my list.
It was then a short walk to the village, passing the impressive and hypnotic Dunglass along the way.
I arrived at the hotel early after such a short walking day to a friendly welcome from the staff and to be informed tonight would be “a wee bit rowdy” because there was a tribute act playing later. Expecting the act to be something lively, I asked who the tribute was. Lionel Richie.
Who knew Richie fans could be rowdy.
I will find out shortly.
The Day 47 Vlog
Fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support
As I walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, I am hoping to raise £10,000 for MacMillan Cancer Support, who do such a wonderful job of supporting families through the most difficult times. If you are able to spare any amount and would like to donate to MacMillan, please do so through my Just Giving Page.
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