Was that cow bells? Probably a figment of my imagination but I got up anyway. Discovered one bag of frozen socks between the fly and the inner and then noted the condensation had frozen to the inside of the fly. That had been a very cold night. I then noted my phone had only picked up around a 10% charge from the full power pack that I connected the night before. The pack must have dissipated its charge due to the low temp. I reassembled the water filter, but thought this must have been damaged by cold, the instructions clearly state the unit must not be frozen. We collected water using the other squeezy bottle type filter, a very slow process by comparison.
We noted that we were heading back to civilisation today at Spean Bridge. Re-supply opportunities, shops, a post office, a train station for any-one wanting to bail. Well you never know? The Harvey map shows Insh Scout Camp just shy of Spean Bridge, and we had read an article which shows a group of EHW hikers using this as a first nights camp from Fort William. For once we had a definite destination, and the prospect of an early camp.
With the sun now high we set off towards Spean Bridge. The teenage girls, already checking out the scouts in their wild imaginations. We left the main bulk of forest behind and enjoyed some open aspects down to the River Spean. Another short forest section through Inverlair forest after passing the Lodge, and then a very attractive section alongside the Spean. We were greeted by an old sheep dog clearly put out to pasture with the sheep for a few hours a day. He followed us quite a way, no shepherd in sight.
After a short while we spied Bunroy camp site across the other side of the river. Another two kilometers of very enjoyable walking brought us to the road to Spean Bridge and Insh Scout Camp. One of our party had gone ahead, and was stood looking a little forlorn at the gates. "Bad News"
Although there are acres of great camping grounds here, plus taps and basic facilities there are clear signs advising that no admittance is permitted etc. The gates were unlocked there was no-one around to ask. So, what next? Find a make shift camp in the woodland nearby, walk into Spean Bridge and grab a cab to Bunroy ( was it even open? ), a hostel or B&B, a train ride to Fort William with a view to catching the same back for a pack free walk to the finish?
We headed into Spean Bridge to review options. Although this was now Easter weekend, surprisingly, most of the hotels and guest houses had vacancies. I rung the door bell at the first B&B I saw as we walked into town. Three of us could be accommodated. I asked about breakfast and received a full and detailed description. "Ok, I'm sold".
For those looking for accommodation at Spean Bridge you will find a notice board at the side of the convenience store in town. The telephone numbers and pictures are all there.
So having collected a card from our potential host. We all went to talk over options and to buy drinks and and treats at the shop. We decided to split up at this point into 2 groups for practical reasons.
So we checked into the B&B, an opportunity to get clean & dry out, after 5 nights of wild camping. We put our boots in the porch and set our bags down in the room. I took off my socks and checked out my blisters, which had caused some suffering for the last two days. My daughter took great delight in photographing my feet, and got a real close up of the blood blister forming on my little toe. Nice!
After soaking in bath tubs for a while, we went to check out the local fish and chips. I would describe them as first rate. Incidently, the menu is fish and the other item is chips. The order was cooked fresh whilst we waited. I started nattering to the lady serving. Now she stated that after 20 years of hillwalking, mainly Munroes, she had never had occasion to get wet feet. Also she suggested that the bothy's are better than tents.
"So, maybe we should have just slept inside Drakes and Glen Banchor bothy?"
"Definitely" she said. Other customers waiting at the time agreed that bothy nights are the best nights.
After fish and chips we headed back to the B&B. We opened our bedroom door. " Who opened the sock bag?" "Everyone happy to sleep with the window open?"
Click here for Day 7 - Finale!
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