Distance: 16 miles? (the route sheet said 17, but it didn't feel that long)
Weather: sunshine and showers
Apparently, it rained some more during the night. Personally, I was too busy sleeping to notice. It must have been much less rain than fell between 1300 to 1900 yesterday, because by the time I looked outside this morning the flooded roaring torrent outside had returned to its previous state of being a benign river.
Being not in a hurry this morning, much faffing and tea drinking was had before the off, and by the time we did tidy up and leave, the rain had passed and a sunny interval was upon us.
Even though the river level had dropped again, suggesting that the other water crossings on our main route would be passable, Mick wasn't fancying the higher (mainly pathless) route and a day of bogginess (I think he's scarred from the Wales walk!). So, it was a gentle stroll along tracks into Drumnadrochit - and an inoffensive stroll it was in the main, as forest walking goes. There were enough clearings to give views, although we'll gloss over the initial track which is in the process of being 'upgraded' for the installation of a windfarm, and is currently not only an ugly scar, but a horrible surface for walking.
The other benefit of the alternative route was that it was more sociable than our proper route would have been, plus we got into Drum by 1330, giving us plenty of time to eat, drink tea and chat in the cafe before heading up the road for the ferry.
Our wait for the ferry wasn't as long as we had expected when we set out this morning, as a text exchange with Gordon (the ferry man) revealed that he was planning an early, 1600, crossing of Loch Ness. We arrived at his jetty half an hour early, and as our arrival made the numbers up to twelve, there was no waiting around and we were soon underway.
A walk up the road to Errogie has seen us arrive at the croft where Challengers are not just welcomed to camp with open arms, but are given tea and (very lovely) cake on arrival. Obviously word gets around about such fantastic hospitality, as there are 17 tents here this (showery) evening.
(Today's photo is of last night's accommodation, taken in this morning's sunshine)
(Martin R - I've a feeling that yesterday's wind may have come close to living up to that forecast. Glad we weren't up high yesterday!
Geoff - certainly do!
Alan - thus far I would say that the weather has made things 'interesting' rather than marring the walk. Which isn't to say that we wouldn't much prefer wall-to-wall sunshine!
Duncan - hello stranger! <Waves>
Conrad - thanks to the 'Hill Lists' app, all hills, from every which list, are getting 'ticked'. It did cross my mind that it could be a dangerous way forward!
Gibson - pity we didn't know you were at Morvich; it would have been good to say hello on our way past.
Jamie - although the daytime temperatures have been cool for the time of year, what I've noticed so far is how warm the nights are (as you'd expect with cloud cover). Or maybe it's this heavier sleeping bag that's doing it!)
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