Sunday, July 26: Dalmally - Glasgow

Above is an image showing 4 of this week’s 5 Munros.

I had prepared, many, more routes beforehand because I didn’t know exactly how far I would get but those will come next time!

That’s another great thing about this way of traveling (bring a tent, take it easy and see where you sleep at night).

There are websites where you can find a lot of Munro bagging information (
Walkhighlands
is a great example). The people who tell their stories there often hike as lightly as possible (in terms of backpacking) and stay overnight in B&Bs or hotels (which I, in the past, also had good experiences with, by the way) but this, all included. tent and food for the entire period, for me is ultimately more relaxing.

A great app in which you can, well the pro version, keep track of which Munros you’ve already had and also find, again, along the way, lots of information is
MunroMap

At least as beautiful as all those mountains are little Scottish villages like Dalmally (and a train stops there, too!).

At the station itself another nice Scottish picture man with dog and 2 words of wisdom; a nice local picture regarding social distancing and one about life.

Train trip

And these three photos from the train where, like the rest of this adventure, it looks like driving through a painting or a movie set.

Of course there was another next day but no more link to that below.

Monday was a travel day: 06:00 takeoff from Glasgow means 03:30 wake-up call (hotel is a 5-minute walk from the airport) but then you have a good day!

Learning point here is especially next time take a plane later (there are 3 going a day).

Don’t know if it managed to convey the atmosphere of this adventure but I personally can’t wait to go that way again. Get a lot of responses along the lines of “all alone?”, “in a tent?”, “in the rain?”, “Scotland !!??” but that’s right which I enjoy.

Days when I don’t run into anyone, if I don’t count the sheep, and the people you talk to are also geeks who suffice with a few words: wonderful! Can imagine that people find this image does not quite fit the person they know but actually it is no different than usual: am aware that I come across busy (came?) but even during that period I was often cycling, running or swimming on my own. Even in that case, I preferred long distances where I loved operating in a flow (based on heart rate, cadence, wattage). Even counting, which I realize may seem eccentric, was part of this.

For now, this is helping me reinvent myself: not looking at all that you can no longer do but mostly enjoying what is still possible. Despite the low effort (in terms of intensity), I do get a lot of satisfaction out of completing a hike like this. The last descent I realized that it felt like I had run 6 marathons in a row in terms of satisfaction, and so somehow I need that as a person.

It helps me accept my new situation where stupid things like an app like this but also planning the routes fill in. People who do not fully understand this because they are not aware of that situation I would like to refer to this page.

For now I’ll stop otherwise I’ll give away too much from my next book! 😉

I close this adventure with a picture that reminds me of our beautiful country(s). This view now after only an hour of flying, week away but this is the first image that always stays with me and that I have strong memories of returning from previous adventures. (Without wanting to be the world traveler here directly but I mean before; after a longer period abroad such as returning after 3 years Curacao, half a year Cambodia, longer deployments).