free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Having just completed a very work-laden weekend I was looking forward to getting out and about on Tuesday. I headed up to River Lochay carpark in glorious sunshine and was pleased I had decided to put my shorts on. By the end of the walk I would be very pleased with my choice of leg apparel.
I left the empty carpark just as another car was arriving. I glanced behind me to see if I recognised them but no they were strangers to me.(but not for long!!!)
Anyway I walked through the opening that leads down to the river.
Turn right down the path until you come to stepping stones.
Once over the river climb over a couple of low fences and then you pick up the path through the forest.
![bl3.JPG]()
It is quite boggy in parts and as well as watching where I was putting my feet I was trying to look out for the cairn marking the best place to cross the burn. It was as I was checking my GPS that I met the fabulous Garry (yes that's the third Garry in a row that I've been walking with!!)and his equally fabulous walking buddies- Eddie, Conor and Ann. He said that they were avoiding crossing there as it was very boggy and were heading straight on. Looking back I don't remember asking if I could follow on- oops but I did anyway and what a time I had. Garry, Eddie and Anne are all with Ayrshire social work department and were full of fantastic stories about their jobs and previous walking expeditions including a pretty eventful one in Morocco. Before long we were heading up the grassy slopes to Ben Lui. Although it was quite steep, it didn't require too many stops and before we knew it we were on the ridge heading along to the summit of Ben Lui.
![bl5.JPG]()
- Looking back along the ridge
We had our lunch and then time for the summit shot and we were off!
The visibilty was really good for a change, so arguments ensued about which hill was which. I'm completely clueless so I just nodded in agreement to any suggestion that sounded plausible!
Once you descend down to the bealach, the path up to Beinn a'Chleibh is very obvious and requires very little effort.
Again the views at the summit were pretty good but the midges were out in their annoying hundreds, so a quick few photos and we were off again.
(That's me sneaked into the group photo!!!- no shame!)
It was back down to the bealach and then we headed back down through the forest. It has to be noted that Garry was right, it is very very boggy here but don't worry there are plenty of waterfalls to get washed in.
With cleaned boots and legs I felt refreshed and marvelled about how time I had spent laughing with these amazing people- surely you're not meant to have this much fun. And then it happened I stepped into the deepest bog ever!! It was up to my thighs!! Oh lordy!! The blokes had walked on and Anne had collapsed with laughter. I managed to grab onto a branch and pull myself out. (If you picture the scene from Blazing Saddles when Bart and his mate get stuck in quicksand, that's what it was like) Now I'm 5' 7'', anyone with shorter legs would be having major underwear problems!!!
Luckily the river crossing was only a few minutes away and while I would like to say that I was like a water-nymph frolicking about, the truth was I was more like a hippo trying to wash off a ton of peaty bog!
When we reached the carpark, hugs and kisses were exchanged (well I launched myself at them)! and off I went homeward bound, so so happy!
But the story isn't over. The M74 extension was due to open at 7pm and given that I wasn't due to hit it until 8ish I thought the furore would all be over with by the time I reached it. But alas no, there were cars everywhere! There had been a delay in the opening. It was as I was sitting waiting to follow the diversion that the cones next to me were removed and I was waved forward to drive along the new road. Waiting for me were a couple of police cars.
We sat for a few minutes while more cars came along and then it was a police escort all the way the new turnoff at Rutherglen!!! Lots of cheers and waves from the waiting crowds!! What a day!!!
