Saturday 1 June 2013

New month, entirely new environment. From stunning highlands to urban sprawl.

Today was a very sad farewell to the highlands of Scotland. Just under three weeks of plodding along through wonderful highland paths, alongside beautiful lochs, and even the A9 had a lot of redeeming features like the North Sea to look at on one side and rolling hills on the other. Today we left our lovely, friendly little guesthouse in Milngavie to walk right through Glasgow city centre, cross the great River Clyde, and head South Eastwards for Hamilton and Lanarkshire.



Bob and Ellinor at Allander Guest house in Milngavie had been very friendly and welcoming - as had every single one of our bnb, pub, hotel, and guesthouse hosts - and our rest day there was most welcome after 150 miles of Great Glen Way and West Highland Way in ten consecutive days.

A good hearty full Scottish breakfast was served by Elli - porridge, black pud, haggis, the full monty - and we set off for Glasgow at 9.45. A special mention also for Elli who did all our washing, including my nuclear socks!!

So, a walk alongside the very busy Glasgow Road, straight through the bustling city centre, across the river, then along the tow path for a few miles. Then we picked up the Hamilton Road and followed a further ten miles of boring road walking until we finally hit Hamilton at 6.45.

Two marginally redeeming features of the plod - for me - were passing Partick Thistle F.C. and also Shawfield Greyhound Stadium. Then, near the end we passed the ground of the legendary Hamilton Academicals F.C. Not a lot to shout about, but it was such a come down from The Highlands.

On the way, though, we did meet John and Glynis. They started ten days before us, but are also walking John O'Groats to Lands End, though they are taking a more meandering route through England - taking in a few more long distance paths, whereas we are heading for the River Severn in Shropshire.
The River Clyde.
 

John and Glynis.
 
Check out their lovely little website at www.joglyjogle.com
 
21 miles plodded today, now over 300.
 
Total so far - 313 miles. About one third done!
 
Please sponsor us if you can, www.justgiving.com/teams/milko-goes-walkabout 
 
Also, Lizzie's story at www.nexstep.co.uk/blog 
 
Alec Hawkes, Milko on Walkabout  01.06.13

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just got around to posting a review of your latest
penmanship, If Brains Were Dynamite on Amazon.
It is worth reading, and as you say, the money is
going to worthwhile charities.

Hope your feet are holding out.
Best wishes from Tasker's Row
Malcolm.

Unknown said...

thanks Malc!