Jun
11
Update 11.06.09 the final-59th day
Latest News
May
05
Latest photos
May
05
Website issues
We've been experiencing some problems with getting material published to the website hence the recent lack of updates but rest assured Bob is in good health and, am told, has just entered England!
Normal service will resume shortly.
Regards
Nathan - site designer
Apr
30
A big thank you!
A big thank you to all at FIS South West Conference for raising the fantastic sum of £240 on 29 April. I really do appreciate all the support that I am getting. The news has given me a big boost today after my reception in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Apr
28
Update for 28.04.09 - Kelty (c.2 miles north of) to , Edinburgh
Start: 08.15 hours
End: 20.15 hours
Ian Rodger of the Civil ServiceBenevolent Fund very kindly put Terry and I up the previous night, cooking us an evening meal, getting us breakfast early and making us a packed lunch - brilliant, thanks Ian!
The walk resumed north of Kelty and the first objective was to get to the Forth Road Bridge by 11.30 to meet representatives of the CSBF. The route took me through Hill of Beath, Crossgates towards Inverkeithing and the bridge. Although I had driven over the FRB several times seeing the bridge in the context of my walk gave me a great feeling of achievement - a significant landmark in every sense.
I was met by John Mortimer who was wearing his kilt and Terry and we walked over the east side of the bridge and were met by Merrick (Willis) Chief Executive of the CSBF, Ian Rodger, and ladies. We all walked over to the south side to the viewing area - visibility was down but we had an excellent view of the Forth Rail Bridge. There were numerous photos taken on the bridge and at the viewing area - especially by Ian's daughter Amanda.
Ian and John walked with me past the Dalmeny estate of the Duke of Roxburgh to Cramond Brig wher we were met by the FIS lads from Edinburgh. We then walked down the Queensferry Road to the offices of the CSBF in Walker Street.
The CSBF Scotland provided a magnificent tea for everyone. I was met by there members of staff and also Pat Stewart of the Parkinson's Disease Society Edinburgh and Susan Quinn UFI. Ian said a few kind words and Terry and I had the opportunity of saying thank you the tremendous reception in Edinburgh and for everyones support. I was also able to say what a wonderful experience walking through Scotland had been to Edinburgh (still a way to go to England!) and how well Terry and I had been treated by everyone we had met in Scotland.
After the reception John took Terry and I to a nearby pub to rectify a sad omission on our part, viz not a drop of whisky had passed our lips since leaving John O'Groats. Incredibly it looks like we are going to leave Scotland without having been to a distillery, stll another time maybe!
Ian suggested that I resume my walk by following the cyclepath alongside the canal to the Water of Leith and follow the river toward the Pentland Hills. I had intended to make the Ranger Park on the otherside of the hills but time and the weather dictated otherwise and I finished the walk at Juniper Green, Nr Balerno. (Along the way I asked directions from a lady who was collecting her son from school and two ladies walking their dog - thanks to them for their help, I mentioned my website!!)
Terry met me there and we made our way to Penicuik to stay with Sharon and Gary.
Time out: 12 hours (including a longish break in Edinburgh)
Distance walked: 28 miles
Weather: Overcast but dry until the evening.
Apr
27
Update for walk 27.08.09 - Methven to Kelty, Nr Cowdenbeath
Start: 09.55 hours
End: 20.30 hours
At Methven I met Bob McFarlane, TFI based at Dundee Office. Bob and I walked East along the side of the A85 to the Tibbermore turn and down to Tibbermore and then on to the junction of the A9 where Bob was met by Mike a member of his FIS team. I appreciated very much the time that Bob gave up from his busy itinerary for the day. It had been raining first thing, but the weather held out until we completed that part of the day's walk.
I then walked westward alongside the A9 to the Forteviot turn, and down to and across the Forteviot Bridge over the River Earn to Forteviot. From Forteviot I took a track to the RHS of the church to the Green of Invermay area. It was not possible to go through the grounds of the estate, but I found a way up over the Clevage Hills and down to the road leading to the Path of Condie, where I met Terry. I then took the road past Struie Lodge over the Ochil Hills to Milnathort. Then alonside the road to Kinross and on towards Kelty finishing the walk a mile or so from Kelty.
Time out: 10.35
Distance walked: 24.75 miles
Weather: Persistent showers late morning into mid-afternoon, clearing later.
Apr
22
Garbole to Aviemore
Wonderful high moorland walk. Plenty of red grouse. Start 13.30 - end 20.45. Distance 15 miles - big saving on time and distance rather than walking on the road. Strong south westerly wind, with gusts over 45 mpg for the whole of the walk. As I reached the top of the last hill the snow capped Cairngorms came into view. Tomorrows walk is over the Cairngorms via the Lairig Ghru to the Linn of Dee.
Start: 13.30
End: 20.45
Distance 15 miles - big saving on time and distance rather than walking on the road. Strong south westerly wind, with gusts over 45 mpg for the whole of the walk. As I reached the top of the last hill the snow capped Cairngorms came into view. Tomorrows walk is over the Cairngorms via the Lairig Ghru to the Linn of Dee.
Apr
23
Photos from Inverness
Apr
21
Latest news
Restarted walk on the Inverness side of the Kessock Bridge. Called into Tourist Information Centre, Castle Wynd to get my form signed.
Inverness to Garbole:
Start: 11.45
End: 20.30
Up Castle Street, then B861 (Old Edinburgh Road), then minor road to Essich. Turned left on moorland road past Mains of Bunachton, round hill and right for Balloan and across river to Tordarroch and the B861). Met Terry and had a break. From Farr took the high moorland road to Garbole. Possible sighting of an eagle, also saw several red grouse.
Distance: 20 miles
Total Ascent: 510m
Time out: 8.45 hours
Weather: Rain mid to late morning, clearing later with sunny spells."
Apr
21
Stats for week 1
Tues 14/04/09 - Distance 29 miles; Total Ascent: 200 mtrs; Time Out including Breaks 09:15 hours
Weds 15/04/09 - Distance 24 miles; Total Ascent: 200 mtrs; Time Out: 08:30 hours
Thurs 16/04/09 - Distance 24 miles; Total Ascent: 300 mtrs; Time Out: 08:15 hours
Fri 17/04/09 - Distance 25 miles; Total Ascent: Nominal; Time Out: 11:10 hours
Sat 18/04/09 - Distance 19 miles; Total Ascent: 300 mtrs; Time Out: 08:45 hours
Sun 19/04/09 - Distance: 26.5 miles; Total Ascent 150 mtrs; Time Out: 09:45 hours
Grand Totals: 147.5 miles; 1,150 mtrs; 55:40 hours
Apr
20
Day 7
"Scheduled as a rest day, but had arranged to meet colleagues from Inverness who had offered to walk with me across the Kessock Bridge to the City, which I thought was great. I met Morag More, Tara Bradley, Tonia Briggs, Diane Stewart and her dog Dusty, Sue Coggs, Alison Munro and Ian. Crossed bridge and took photos along the way. It was a real boost to meet some other walkers - I had not seen another walker (as in hiker) since John O'Groats, apart from my mate Terry of course!).
After meeting Morag More and members of her team it was back to Bucht Campsite to soak my feet for a couple of hours! In the late afternoon Terry and I went to play golf at Torvean GC, Inverness - our thanks to the pro Willie Rusk for his help. Result: Round 1 of the John O'Groats to Land's End Golf Challenge to Bob (but it was the first round of golf Terry had played for a few weeks because of his bad back.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Ascent: The height on the road over the Kessock Bridge!
Weather: Cloudy but dry, warmish."
Apr
19
Day 6
"From Lamington: Grid Ref NH745767 to Noth Kessock, Inverness.
Start: 11.10 End: 20.55
Route via Scotsburn to Alness. Feet again sore! At Alness met Terry and was able to change my boots back to my leather one's for extra toe-room. Then B817 to Evanton - cycle track for part of the way - to road adj Foulis Castle. Down road over railway line to join A9. Side of A9 over Cromarty Firth Bridge and then to North Kessock.
Distance: 26.5 miles
Ascent: 150 mtrs
Weather: Sunny and v.warm most of day. Cool by evening"
Apr
18
Day 6
"From Skelbo Castle to Lamington (Grid Ref NH745767), Morangie Forest (as in Glenmorangie!)
Start 10.15 End 19.00. Short walk into Dornoch. Met Terry visited the Cathedral and market in High Street. Left town via road to Cuthill. Over Dornoch Firth Bridge and met Terry on the other side at Tarlogie Woods. Walked up into Morangie Forest. Terry went back to the car, and I continued to the top of Cnoc an t-Sabhail. Great viws back to SkSkibo Castle. Top of hill was slow going - knee-deep heather and boggy gound. Then through forest to Lamington.
Distance: 19 miles
Ascent: 300 mtrs
Weather: Sunny, again great walking weather"
Apr
17
Day 5
"From wild camp site above Glen Loth to Skelbo Castle, Nr Durness.
Start 07.50 End 19.00. The walk through Glen Loth was awesome, but my feet were hurting. Took anti-inflams and was able to keep up a half decent pace. Joined A9 nr Lothbeg and briefly on A9 as far as the beach leading to Brora. This was my intended route anyway, but the soft sand was great for my feet! Alongside Links at Brora. Met Terry at Brora and had much needed fish and chip meal at a restaurant there. Then on coast path to Golspie past Dunrobin Castle - seat of the Eals and Dukes of Sutherland. From Golspie to 'The Mound' bridge over Loch Fleet, great views up Strath Fleet. Then along estuary road to just beyond Skelbo Castle.
Distance: 23 miles
Total Ascent: nominal
Time including breaks: 11.10 hours
Weather: Generally cloudy, cold wind, brief sunny spells - great walking weather."
Apr
16
Day 4
"Left Trantlemore at 10.30 - great overnight stop at the Cornmill Bunkhouse near Forsinard.
Stopped briefly at RSPB visitor centre. Terry spent time there and saw a Golden Eagle and
a Hen Harrier. I carried on through the Strath of Kildonan. Took the mountain road towards
Lothbeg. Saw herd of about 200 red deer on the way up the road. Pitched tent on slopes of
Beinn Dhorain. Soup and bread before bed at 10.30 then up again at 5.30 for Day 5."
Apr
15
Latest news
"Weather sunny and warm at times. Walked along A836 past Dounreay. Got to Trantlemore - 24 miles.
Right foot OK."
Apr
14
Day one over
This morning Bob left Duncansby Head at 11.30am then on to John O'Groats to make an entry
in the End of End register.
"Got to Thurso at 21.15 - 29 miles having walked from Duncansby Head to register End to End walk. Campsite at Thurso but too late to put up tent so slept in car!! Woke with right foot swollen - bootlaces had been too tight day before. Took anti inflammatories."
That's the first day over only 53 more to go!
Apr
06
Skittles Evening at the Kingsholm Inn, Gloucester
Over 40 people from Gloucester NHS and Cheltenham and Gloucester DWP as well as
members of their families attended. It was particularly great to see Gilly and Neil
Rowcliffe who came up from Bristol. The skittles was played in killer format through
the evening....
Apr
02
Bob's ready for the off
Bob is due to leave for John O'Groats early next week.
You can track his progress on this website with regular updates and interactive map.
Sponsors
Bob would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: