Up at 8am for assault on Ben Nevis. Bus dropped us a couple of miles away from the start but didn't seem to matter with 7 hrs of walking ahead of us. Bought a couple of Balti Pasties, packed a bottle of water and up we went. Up and up. Every time you think you are nearly there you aren't. It's like a trick mountain. People of my age took on the appearance of being drunk at they neared the summit; eyes fixed, unsteady on their feet and taken to muttering to themselves, using the language featured in the 'Exorcist'. I was no different, much to Sams amusement. The top was freezing but fantastic. It was certainly worth the effort to enjoy such an experience. But then, the sting. The 'flippin' walk down. It's all rocks that jar every mechanical bit in your legs and, in my case, everything else. The knees were screaming, the soles of my feet reduced to tatters and, as we neared the bottom, it became apparent that my 'brakes' were gone. On even the slightest downhill bit I now need to run like Michael Barrymore. Just can't stop.
Back at boat I wanted to collapse but Sam assured me that a shower would help. Well it did but only by the fact that I used a 'modified' shower to good effect. Hope this doesn't make me a bad man but I ended up sitting on the pull down seat cos my feet hurt so much. Bliss.
So pleased we climbed Ben Nevis but its taken its toll. Hope a good nights sleep aids recovery. Raining tonight. Hope to push on to Fort Augustus tomorrow.
1 comment:
All I can say is do you remember the walk we did round the Isle of Wight when your knee 'went' !
On that occasion I carried you on my back for the last mile ! Don't worry just put in an order for top of the range mobility scooter - in not too many years, you, Keith and Bobby will be scootering around guildford on the look out for a pub with a conveniently placed ramp !!!!!! At least I won't have to push you !!
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