Islands in the sun WHW day 1

 

A stunning morning, I managed to get on the road for Balmaha just before 7 and when I arrived about an hour later the large car park was pretty much empty, and it was free.

The route up Conic Hill was pleasantly challenging and I enjoyed the rock scramble to the summit, not realising there is a much gentle track. The scramble was fun though. I had the hill top to myself. It took 50 minutes and instead of just coming back down I decided to incorporate part of the West Highland Way which was also very quiet, I think I passed no more than 2 individuals and a couple, social distancing observed and some congenial conversation. This short excursion has made me think about doing the entire route, I think on my own and in chunks.

The blip is the view from Conic Hill, the islands in the middle look as though they are joined together whereas there is a fair distance between each one. The xtra one is Conic Hill form the track just off the WHW descending into Milton.

I arrived back at Balmnha (the last couple of miles where on a busy roadside path which I could have done without) the car park was jam packed with no spaces. The pier area (not very interesting) was also quite busy. I found a quiet spot to have my cheese roll and M&S biscuit, which was unhelpfully disturbed by a small exuberant dog accidently upsetting my coffee. I probably could have responded more graciously. I missed that third cup though.

Home by early lunchtime and a lazy afternoon. A good day.