Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy (Argyll & Bute)

Weather today: Sunny, Warm, Breezy at times

Daily Miles Covered: 13.4

Total Miles Covered: 833

Things of Interest: The West Highland Way

Personal Comments: Another day dawned, and yet again no sign of rain. Back on the The WHW took me through a dense forest of pine trees to start off, uphill as you would imagine. These dense woods do nothing for me, but I know people love them (Ok J.T.) There were plenty of fords on these tracks, but no water at all was flowing down them, we are in the middle of a dry spell, long may it continue. Onward out of the woods and across the A82, quickly, there was the most delightful River Fillan to walk along. Dappled sunlight filtered through the broadleaved woods this time, and was it beautiful. The water was crystal clear trout lazily swimming above the gravel beds, we live in a fantastic part of the world.
Tyndrum was my next place to visit, a stopping off point for supplies for people going further north. I didn't linger just a banana and then Harry accompanied me for a couple of miles. The railway that goes to Fort William was beside the track for a short while and I believe at a certain viaduct they filmed the train going over called The Hogwarts Express in The Harry Potter film.
The track now is easy to follow with mountains towering above on either side drawing me down the valley to Bridge of Orchy. When I got there I secured a pitch for the night and another day completed.

Last Friday at the 700 mile mark unfortunately Phil unluckily succumbed to a problem with his hips. He didn't know it at the time as he bravely battled on for 3 weeks, he had arthritic septaecemia. He was in great pain daily but refused to give in, but his body was in charge, and in Peebles he had to call it a day.
He is now in The Royal Blackburn Hospital on an antibiotic drip for the infection, and currently comfortable. Well done Philip Chippendale, a marine if ever I knew one. Get well soon.