It was a tough day – not gonna lie. At bed time my Iwatch says 16 miles and 36000+ feet. We started out a bit later then we wanted to because of the comfy accommodations and promise of a big Scottish breakfast before we left.

Last night we stayed at a traditional bed and breakfast. We had our own room and a private bathroom. The place was homey and spotless and run by a wonderful women named Adele who shared stories of her grandchildren and how she got into the B&B business. The breakfast did not disappoint:

The day started out in sunshine and took us through the most beautiful pasture.

Through fields of fern and across creeks.

We then hit our first challenge of the day: Conic Hill. The views will be worth it they said- and so we began to climb.

We had a quick lunch and then headed off for another 7 miles mostly along the shoreline of Loch Lomond and over wooded hills. What should of been a 7 hour day turned into 9 when we reached Rowardennan Hotel.

Weather update: even when they say no rain-it rains- often. It will be sunny and then a cloud comes over and pack comes off rain gear goes on. 20 minutes later pack comes off rain gear gets stowed. This happened at least 5 times on a day that was supposed to have no rain.

We have another tough 14 miles today with what is described as the toughest terrain. We are pushing and supporting each other every step with tough love and of course laughter

Like this one:

We had Haggis Balls!

12 miles, 36000 steps

What do you get when you cross a sheep, a woolly cow, a hiker from Holland, a wee dram of whisky and a rainbow? Our first day on the trail.

We started out about 830am and the sun was shining on us. We were anxious. Were we prepared, what lied ahead, would our feet outlast the trail, what about the weather, where were we staying – all these were running through our head as we took the first step.

We had a 12 mile hike ahead of us and were thrilled that the sun was out to send us off. In fact, we were treated by something that meant something to both of us.

Ok, back to the sheep, cow, girl and whisky. I was telling Liz that how cool would it be if we saw all the things they said we would see on the trail from the “catalog”. Well we saw them today – bear with me on the pics.

It was a great trail and the weather cooperated for most of the part. We still have not figured out when in Scotland it says 50% rain everyday. Does that mean there is a 50% chance of raining or that it is going to rain 50% of the time. We will let you know. Well, here is what the rain brought today.

Just off the trail was the GlenGoyne Distillary and when we met Rachel from Holland. The three of us decided to take a quick detour-in the rain – to see if we could get a wee dram and we did.

How cute is that pic — mine was not as cute

We still had 6 miles to go but the shot warmed our cockles. A lunch stop at Beech Tree for soup and then on to Drymen.

We got to our B&B at 430 (yes since 830) and needed eats – so we went into town to go find one of the oldest pubs and get lunch for the next day. We went to THE PUB in town and low and beyond met up with Rachel.

An amazing first day. Tomorrow is a 14 mile hike so heading off to bed.

We are staying at a small town called Milngavie.

The history of Milngavie dates back to at least 1600, when there was a mill here in a village known at the time as Millgay – remember how I told you to pronounce it yesterday? Makes sense now, right?

Today it is a suburb of Glasgow and known as the gateway to the West Highland Way. Not to mention it is super super cute.

We found the gate where we will be starting from in the morning and met our first fellow hiker to chat about why, where, and when.

We will be following mainly timber posts bearing the thistle-in-a- hexagon logo. Haven’t figured out what it means yet but I am sure we will.

Covid test update 2: we both received negative test results today so we are all set for the rest of the trip.

Dinner and packing tonight to prep for our first 12 mile hike tomorrow that yes-the trail leads us to the Glengoyne Distillary. Hikers on The Way are invited for a wee dram. I think we might just have to indulge to help us with the next 5.

We are heading to Drymen- weather? Who knows? They say just wait and see and it will happen when it happens. Talk to you then.

Totally forgot to let you Jamie fans know that the Cathedral was used in Season 2.

Started with a traditional Scottish breakfast with a choice including blood sausage, pork sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms with eggs.

Next – COVID Test number 2. This was the self administered one that we need to stay in the country. We found the post office and mailed it off.

We decided to play tourist today and see Glasgow “properly” with a hop on and off double decker bus tour.

We particularly wanted to see the Glasgow Cathedral – it would not be touring an old city without visiting a church and this one was spectacular.

The cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow. It is dedicated to Saint Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, whose tomb lies at the centre of the building’s Lower Church.

The first stone cathedral was dedicated in 1136. Fragments of this building have been found beneath the structure of the present cathedral, which was dedicated in 1197.

The miracles of St. Mungo are seen around the city.

Here is the bird that never flew
Here is the tree that never grew
Here is the bell that never rang
Here is the fish that never swam

Behind the church is the Necropolis. Fifty thousand individuals have been buried here. Only a small percentage are named on monuments and not every grave has a stone. Approximately 3,500 monuments exist here..

Have we talked about the food yet?

We stopped at a food truck for the most amazing Gyro before grabbing a taxi north to Milngavie. How would you pronounce Milngavie?

A little Scottish language lesson:

When someone says thank you you say “no worries”. If you want to say enjoy say “cheers”. And we can’t understand anything else yet. Milngavie is pronounced Mill-guy.

CHEERS!

We made it and everything went fairly smooth. We left Rochester at 1230pm to Atlanta (2 hour flight and 2 hour layover). We then had an 8 hour flight to Amsterdam for another 2 hour layover and then a quick 1 1/2 hop over the North Sea to Glasgow. We landed at 1030am.

Traveling during COVID has its challenges but I have a feeling this is the way it will be for quite awhile. This was the picture that had us laughing and crying in the middle of the Atlantic. Yes, this is Liz trying to sleep.

Prior to traveling we had to have a negative covid test 72 hours before entering Scotland. We had to be fully vaccinated and fill out various patient locator forms. All of which needed to be available at anytime. Most travelers were walking around holding folders filled with printed paper work. We also had to arrange to have a self administered test sent to our first hotel to make sure we are negative to stay in the country.

The UK including Scotland is over 80% vaccinated so we feel safer here then at home. Masks are worn just as at home – when on public transportation, public places and when entering into a restaurant before you sit down to eat.

We were beat when we got to The Kelvingrove Hotel and headed out for a pub to get some lunch. We are in the West End of Glasgow that is more of the cultural district with the University of Glasgow, Museums, shops and restaurants.

After a needed nap we headed out for a nighttime stroll to Ashton Lane and to see the neighborhood at night and see what we could find.

Glasgow is a smallish city with less then a million residence and 3 million in surrounding areas. Here is tip – make sure you make dinner reservations ahead of time. They roll up the sidewalks here at 10pm – a little different in other cities where the nightlife is just coming alive.

Here I go again! This journey will take me to Scotland to hike the The West Highland Way – close to 100 miles. You can see the entire trail at www.westhighlandway.org.

The last 18 months has been incredibly hard and this will be my first time off since stepping off the plane from Kenya on March 17th, 2020. I am looking forward to the physical challenge, being in a new country, meeting fellow hikers from around the world, trying new foods and experiencing all that a trail offers. For me, the trail brings time to disconnect and connect at the same time – connect with nature, self and God.

I am also honored to share this experience with Liz Vidas. A fellow JOI family member and an avid adventure traveler. We will be leaving for Scotland on September 25th and starting the hike on the 28th. Our journey ends on October 5th and then we will be heading back to Glasgow for a Genesis concert (yup) and then home on the 9th. I hope you will follow our journey and the inspiration it will bring.

Lang may yer lum reek