We wrap up the trip in the great city of Edinburgh

Saturday, we awoke and hopped a quick train to the educational and cultural center of Scotland, Edinburgh.  Leaving the train station, you are overwhelmed with the beauty of the city and the ancient architecture, which is only slightly diluted when you see the first 12 Starbucks that are however, in really old structures.

Not really knowing the city, we asked the locals for tips on how to spend our day.

He pointed us toward the Royal Mile, comprised of Edinburgh Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, some other really old stuff and a really edgy tattoo parlour.  They have a statue of a dog that stayed by his owner's grave for 14 years after his death.  There is also a pub named for the dog, postcards and t-shirts.  Guess, I'm missing something, dog should have moved on.  Its cold up here in the winter.  Kevin finally found a photo subject that doesn't walk away from him.  The castle appears to be slightly larger than his thinning hair patch.

We did decide to pose for him, as he needed another three pics for his scrapbook and to get his three hours of credit for Study Abroad.

All of this serious sight seeing was taking its toll on us, so we adjourned to a very old local pub that used to be a toll booth and prison. 

Surprisingly, we seem a lot happier in a pub than fighting the touring masses and selfie sticks at the various historical sites.  Soon, it was time to find a pub near the soccer stadium and prep for the big match between the local lads, Hibernian and the evil empire of St. Mirren.

The guy on the left told us to take this passage way, but Tim and I had our doubts.  I guess people in the 1600s were quite smaller in the times before super sizing and 1000 calorie coffee drinks.
Finally, we bought our Hibs gear and found our seats.  Note to those attending a match here, they don't sell beer in the stadium.  (Jerry Jones' toupee just rolled over in its grave).  So, stay at the pub until game time.

One of the two blokes with shaved heads behind me must have thought had a syndrome that force him to use the F bomb in every sentence.  It was a Hall of Fame worthy performance.
After the match, we hit a couple pubs (surprising) and finally found some great dinner over by the University.

Sunday morning it was time to head home and close out our adventure.  It was a truly awesome trip from beginning to end.  I hope you enjoyed following along at hope.  At this point, I can find no better way to close things out then Kevin's last selfie of the trip.   Cheers!

Final Toenail Count - 9
Left/Right Ankle size - orange/grapefruit
Kevin knee colour - cloudy purple
Remaining english pounds - 4.32 (all change)

Day 5 - Sometimes it's the journey, not the destination

We awoke for the final day of the trek bruised, but not battered.  After rummaging for dry clothes, we breakfasted w Annie, an older woman, doing the Way on her own, except for her cane.  She's a cancer survivor and finished in five days, steady and sure, hats off to her!  Weather was gray, but just misty, we had a great view of Kinlochleven, from whence we came.

Right after this pic, who should appear but Morty, our Danish buddy.  He paused to chat w the Dutch girls who took this pic, so we bid adieu, probably for the last time.  We picked up the pace and rolled through five miles more of awesome scenery.  I tried to impress the local ladies with my interesting attire:

Shortly after this, who rolls up from behind?  Morty.  We visit for a mile, he stops for food and we bid farewell, surely for the last time.  At the halfway point, a Ranger has set up tea and coffee for weary hikers.  I can't resist a picture:

We visit w some more Dutch women and as Kevin insults one, who strolls up, yep, Morty who has a strong opinion on deforestation.  We finish our warm drinks and say goodbye to Morty, SURELY for the last time as he is stopping at a hostel two miles short of Fort William.

As we neared Fort William, Kevin spotted the shooting location for Braveheart, well at least where the actors parked.

With three miles to go, Kevin's continual humming of show tunes and incessant flatulence had taken its toll on us.

Ben Nevis, highest point in UK, but we ain't going there!

We roar in Fort Willam with speed of a three legged chihuahua dragging a piano.

As we near and accidentally pass the finish we look over to see Chick and his group celebrating his 50th.  Yes, it's Chick, not Chuck as we've been calling him all week.  His fault for talking funny.  After pics, lunch and some beers w Check and Co, we head for the train back to Glasgow.

Yes, the guy on the bench got angry at us.  Chock is the one in the white T w his proper name Chick on it.  After some research we discover he is, "The most interesting man in the world."  On the way to the train, yep, we ran into Morty, no joke.  We dapped goodbye for maybe the last time.

One thing I learned from hiking the Way, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

Coming tomorrow we pillage Edinburgh or Edinborough

Day 4 - Misery on the trail to Kinlochleven

We knew it would happen, a totally crap weather day, unfortunately on a day where tough weather can turn a hard hike into an experience you might even trade for Celine Dion tickets.  

First up was a 12 mile segment w lots of climbing and lots of exposed area.  Perfect for rain, 45 degrees and winds up to 35 MPH.  Oh, did I mention a never ending supply of slippery rocks?  But, this isn't slow pitch softball, so we soldiered on.  I happily photobombed his selfie.

We encountered foreigners w pasta and some lunatic running the trail? Things looked bleak!

But then, changes came so rapidly that we encountered more rainbows then a Texas county court parking lot in early summer this year, including, wait for it:

Despite the temptation to call a cab, we ventured back out after a hearty lunch and pep talk from Chuck.  Our spirits were tested as we headed straight into the wind and rain.  We head up Devils backbone, undeterred.  We discovered that trail was Scottish for small stream, as we shared our path w mountain run off and feisty salmon

I was obviously enthused and buoyed by the various water attractions of Kinlochleven!

But, we made it, a strong effort by the crew!  Our reward?  Showers w the water pressure of a slow leak and the temperature consistency of teenage girlfriend.  

Miles to date - 83

Toenails - 8

RSI start - 4.8

RSI finish - 8

Bad 70's songs heard on trip - 68, including Minnie Ripperton

Tomorrow - End of the Way, Chuck gets his 50th

Day 3 - yep, we're in Scotland

Quick aside - Tuesday night we sampled Haggis.  Not bad.  Of course it was on mashed potatoes w gravy.  So, we've tried Haggis and met a semi-Seamus.

Two great weather days, the shift to Scottish weather starts today!

We awoke Wednesday to a damp day, breakfasted amongst the taxidermy and hit the Way.  We encountered five Luxembourgers (enough to elect a PM) and raced them for the first few miles, dropping them at a cattle gate.  Weather soon turned windy, cool w light rain, making an easier day a bit tougher.  During some indecision, the Luxes caught us and we followed them to Crialaich for a break.  

After tying their boots together, we slipped out to get ahead of them.  We encountered a nice Aussie/NZ couple who told us they wanted to photograph us under by an old bridge.

We then headed to Tyndem, passing the spot "supposedly" containing the sword of Robert the Bruce, some old Scotsman.  

As rain approached, Kevin opted for photo time, and again, and again

Finally, we went on without him 

After lunch, we ran into our Danish buddy Mordy.  He joined us for the rest of the day, and we swapped world views on everything from Bill Cosby to Israeli self -defense training, his other hobby.  We tried to get him to paralyze Tim for 10 minutes, just for fun!  But, instead got another couple group pics.

Scottish cattle have interesting coats and moo funny.  

After a few pints and dinner we retired for the evening at the venerable Bridge of Orgy Hotel.

Cumulative miles - 64

Toe nails -8

RSI Day Start - 5

RSI Day Finish - 7

Tomorrow - something wicked this way comes

Day 2 - Rob Roy, Rocks, Roots and more

Day 2 took the crew from Balmaha to Invernan, barring weather, the hardest day of the trek.  

After a tough night for Kevin and the "Great Equalizer", we started Day 2 by not quite knowing the right way to go.  But, for some reason, we followed Tim w confidence!

It was another great weather day and finally found the proper path, ripping through the first seven miles and stopping for a break, only to encounter Chuck and his merry band.  Of course, they were knocking down pints and owning the place.  He warned us about the next stretch.  We moved on.  Oh, I'd like to thanks our sponsor Bonk Breakers!

Chuck was quite right.  The next few miles was like trying to track Tarzan.  We skirted slippery rocks and spent more time avoiding roots than a white supremacist.

After lunch, things really didn't get much easier; rocks and roots ruled the path, knocking off Tim's glasses and slowing us to a literal crawl.  Finally, we got out of the Scottish Congo and found some nice fixer-uppers w a view!

Shortly after, we pulled into Invernan and met our new friend Morty from Denmark and of course, Chuck and the gang.  We asked Shaun why Chuck calls him Seamus, "after I was born, he heard the name and stated, that's a right fine name, from now on, I'm calling you Seamus!"  Thanks! Dad!  It was time to retire for the night, so we crossed this beleaguered bridge and headed for The Drover's Inn

Day Two stats:

Total miles - 43

Toenail Count - 8.5

RSI at start-5.23

RSI at finish - 6.34

Coming tomorrow - rain enters the mix

Day 1 - Just put one foot in front of the other

We awoke to a cool, damp Glasgow morning, perfect for reading teenage medieval torture romance novels in front of a smoldering fire.  But we weren't here for that.  So, instead, we set out for Leg 1 of our West Highland Way adventure - 20 miles from Milngavie to Balmaha.  The start is well marked and of course we took the required starting obelisk pic.

Unfortunately, seconds later, Tim had second thoughts:

But, we promised him haggis and a kilt, so he stayed.

The first 13 miles away from the city were fairly easy and uneventful.  At the first stop we noticed a boisterous Scotsman in the requisite kilt, but thought nothing of it.  We did our best to make friends at every opportunity, which was successful in most cases!

Here you see our new bovine friends.  We focused on meeting locals, having lunch w Sasha who grew up in Orange County, went to high school in Austria, then university in Glasgow.  She was rolling solo, as her Swedish husband was working.  Typical Scot.  

After lunch, things got tough as we climbed Mount Conich then descended into Balmaha for the night.  The scenery was incredible, kinda like Dallas if Dallas was here.

As we knocked back a few pints (yea, I speak Scottish now) who should appear but Chuck, the boisterous Scotsman, his son Shaun/Seamus and two guys that only spoke when Chuck allowed.  Chuck will be a recurring character in this drama, as he is on our schedule, doing the WHW for the 50th time!  Tim gave Shaun/Seamus abuse for drinking a Corona Light and earned the nickname "Trump".  Surprisingly, Scots have strong opinions on US politics. 

That's it for Day 1, stat update:

Miles - 20

Current Toenails - 10

Relative Soreness index (RSI):

Start - 0

Finish - 6

London - History, Beer and Football

On Monday morning, Kevin Ward, Tim Skipworth and I begin our quest to complete the West Highland Way, a 96 mile hike thru NW Scotland.  As an appetizer, we hit London for some history, beer and football (if you think that is how we ranked our priorities, ah, not so much).  Landed early in London and immediately took in some sights, including the Leaning Tower of Big Ben.

While roaming London, we discovered that Kevin's heritage can be directly tied to the history of this small town on the Thames

It was now 5 o'clock in Dallas, so we headed for our first pub (OK, 5 AM, but don't bother us w details).  After a couple pubs and a few pints of local flavor, we headed to Griffin Park, home of the Brentford FC Bees, a 2nd tier club in west London.  Their stadium holds about 12,000 and front doors of houses are about 10 feet from the entrance.  It was quite homey, not exactly AT&T stadjum.

Brentford rolled to a 2-1 victory and we celebrated with a few beers at the Lord Nelson pub.  

Sunday, was another match, this time the world famous Tottenham Hotspur.  Surprisingly, we had a couple pints before hand  at a pub that didn't care to welcome the opponent's fans.  They basically refused to let them in.  At the stadium, away fans are segregated into a few sections, surrounded by brightly outfitted stewards to keep the peace.  Football supporters are quite passionate.

After the match we flew up to Scotland on the discount carrier RyanAir.  They make SW look like the Mercedes of air travel.  To supplement "cheaper" fares, they charges check-in fees.  So, you can get cheap fares, but, you have to pay to use them!  They sell stuff on the plane, with a great deal on perfume, Cologne and watches.  Anyway, we get to Glasgow, grab dinner and watch Romo break his clavicle.  The West Highland Way awaits!!!