Part 3 The Rescue

This photo is actually from Day 2. I had to include it even though it is out of order now because you can see the trail we took, winding down the mountain. If you look carefully just to the left of center you can see Gerusa walking on the trail. You can also see the other mountain which we climbed up before realizing it was the wrong way.

The Three Kings Hiker's Restaurant. Jens, myself and David.
Valerie and Simeon.
Mmmm, delicious.
Waking up to the rain. Day 3.



Rain, rain and more rain. After a few hours of Scottish rain me and everything in my rucksack was soaked. Still walking. Still raining.
Jens and I bringing up the rear.....as usual.
"We're so excited!!" You could say that this was our mantra for the trip. We kept saying it in an attempt to make it true. In this picture I am holding my trousers up because I am so wet underneath my rain trousers that my jeans were falling down.
Gerusa, David and Simeon taking a break. Jens and I could see them from way down the road taking their break. They took their break and finished before we were even close. By the time we reached this spot we didn't dare stop for a break. Sitting at this point was dangerous.

Eating another proper meal in the fancy hotel restaurant in Bridge of Orchy. This was where we assessed the many blisters on Valerie's feet and Esther's sprained ankle and the decision was made that they absolutely could not and should not continue. It was then decided that since we were a group we should all finish here at Bridge of Orchy. There were no complaints about that. A couple people from the school had offered to come and pick us up should we have the need and so while waiting for Cameron to rescue us we enjoyed a meal and a few hot, and cold drinks. Sitting there I really realized how tired and sore and wet I was. I started shivering while we sat there and eventually had to find the driest pieces of clothing in my bag to change into.
On the one hand it would have been nice to keep walking but I think it was best that we stayed together as a group and really, we enjoyed ourselves up to this point but we were in holiday mode, just wanting to take it easy, and it was good that we ended the trip here on a positive note.

Yumm, the soup was so good.Woohoo! Cameron is here! When we saw him pull up outside we really jumped out of our seats so fast with excitement. I didn't know that I could move so quickly and fluidly at that point, I was really so sore.
Gerusa, Jens, Esther, David, Me, Valerie and Simeon.
"Yeah! We hiked the West Highland Way! Even if it was only for three days."
And so, three days later our trip ends. Cameron drove us home in the school minibus. I arrived at Sycamore hoping that no one was awake so that I wouldn't have to answer the "oh, you're back so soon" question. As I approached the house it looked dark but when I reached the top of the stairs I saw the lights. Nico was home. Not only that but his door was open. I paused at the door to the hallway, got my key ready and prepared myself to walk quickly past his open door, unlock mine and slip in un-noticed. It didn't work. I didn't even reach my door before I heard it. "Oh you're back." He said.
"Yeah."
"Why so soon?"
I explained.
Laughter.
"Well, I bet Kirsten that you guys would be home as soon as the weather turned."

As it turned out he wasn't the only one who didn't think we would make it and wasn't surprised to see us.

And that's the West Highland Way.