Log No 128. Wed 11th Sep 2013 - Carradale to Skipness, 20 miles (1991 miles walked)

It was a very still, overcast morning as I set off along Carradale Bay at 08.10 taking the Kintyre Way out of Carradale through the forest.

When I was leaving the Mull of Kintyre two days ago a farmer told me the good weather was to last all week so I have to blame Sue and her warning for the change, only it wasn't so much the mist rolling in from the sea... as the mist coming down off the hill.

The KW followed a marked forest trail towards Kirnashie Hill and as the name implies it was uphill.

I hadn't been walking long before the fine mist became rain and I could no longer see across Kilbrannan Sound to Arran.

In spite of the rain it was a fine change to have a forest walk.

After 4 miles I was back on the road, which, like yesterday, was a series of climbs and descents.

When I dropped down to Grogport I took my first break, sitting at a picnic table in the rain.

It was still light rain when I took my second break just after mid-day at Crossaig but the clouds did seem to be letting more light through.

By one o'clock I was convinced there would be no more rain and I thankfully took off my waterproofs.

The lower half of Arran was now visible and I watched the ferry come over from Lochranza to Claonaig.



I had my third and final break of the day in the shelter at the terminal in Claonaig before the last 2 miles of road to Skipness, where the road effectively ended.

I had seen a sign advertising a Sea-Food cafe at Skipness and I would have been tempted to go in for a drink of tea but I never saw the place.

There weren't many properties here but I saw no sign and hadn't past it before the KW signpost directed me back up into the forest.

It was 15.00 and as soon as I could find a decent pitch I was stopping, after 40 minutes I found a good spot right by the track.
The only drawback was the midges, it was a sheltered location and there was no wind. Mind you, once I'm in the tent I don't come out again until it's time to leave in the morning so they aren't really a problem.

20 miles and the pain from my Achilles had transferred itself to the front of my left leg just below the shin. But it is a short day tomorrow back to Tarbert and there is no road walking!!