Walk 165

Argour to Lochaline 32miles

A very big walk today as there is not much sign of life between these two points, a good example is my first pic below!  The forecast for the first 3-4 hours today was grim and the weatherman didn't let me down.  I had overslept and my alarm had gone off 8 times before I managed to rise up from my slumber, personally I knew the weather was going to be bad and I just didn't want to face it!!!

Mostly today's views!

So I had breakfast, put on my wet weather gear and walked solemnly out of the front door, it was lashing down and I thought (as it was a 9 hour walk) how am I going to manage if its like this all day?
I trudged along the road stopping at Clovullin for sandwiches and to catch some shelter, the road was quite busy so I thought I could always cadge a lift and come back and walk this section another day.  The rain continued and at Inversanda I reached a pivotal point because I had to turn left along the B8043 which is a single track road with no escape route!. I stood under some trees for a minute just trying to get my head around how wet I was and what would happen if I continued along what was a very traffic free road, I decided to just go for it and continued on in the rain.
                      The B8043 started to climb which was just making things worse! when I got to the top of the hill I looked back and saw a vehicle turn onto the road I was on....what a bonus, I could thumb a lift to wherever they were going and come back another day, however the pick up truck just stopped and I kept looking back thinking it will come along soon but no.... arrrrgh!!! eventually I stopped looking backwards and concentrated on going forwards!! and the weirdest thing happened, the rain started to relent and by the time I reached  the river crossing at Coire Mheall Challuim it had stopped at which point the pick up truck came along side me and stopped to ask if I wanted a lift, " No Thanks" I replied, but we had a good chat anyway and they were soon on their way.  The B8043 took me along to the only real settlement at Kingairloch where I met up again with my friendly council workers who were doing some running repairs on the culverts by the side of the road, I stopped for a quick chat and then I was on my way at which point the sun decided to make an appearance at last!! The road winds in and out of the glens and it was fantastic to see young Bucks chasing Does across the fields I just which I could get my camera out in time.

Loch Uisge

Eventually the B8043 meets up with the road I started on earlier on in the day (A884) and with Beinn Chlaonleud on my right hand side I wound my way through many a glen stopping only to take in the fabulous views and marvel at the remoteness of where I was standing.  The A884 soon took me to today's destination at Lochaline and I was surprised at how I felt after such a long days walking, even the landlady of the hotel commented that I looked great for someone who had walked so far.

Accommodation:  The Lochaline Hotel.  Really nice hotel with great views of the Isle of Mull from the bedroom window £37.50 BnB