Awakened by birdsong, a trip to the loo beckoned. We’ve already learned that nearer to the loo is preferable, especially in the morning when necessity demands a quick trip pyjama-clad. The dreaded midges were not quite a force to be reckoned with, so with cookers to hand, A and J provided a breakfast of sausage and bacon rolls. By the time we’d finished, the swarming had begun, the dishwasher had softened his hands yet again and we were off on a jaunt to Dobbies, Lakeland and Callander. Fitted into one car easily, chauffeur Joan once again did the honours while we all sat back and enjoyed the passing scenery.
A few purchases later, it was time to return to our riverside home for a promised tea of local fish and chips. No washing up this time, and a suggestion by Joan that we visit the local pub encouraged us to take to the road. One step forward two steps back was the dance adopted by A and J as Alex and I marched ahead with the dogs. We were the advance party. It was our intention to investigate this 0.6mile route, and burn off the calorie consumption in style. Another bend, another hill, a few houses, another bend, yet another hill. We looked back to see no sign of the dancing duo. Had they turned back to collect a car? A van passed. Were they hidden aboard having raised a thumb or four? A spec of pink appeared on the distant horizon. They were still stepping it out!!
Country miles are notorious. At scout’s pace a mile can be covered in 15 mins. At Pegged-Out pace it should be achievable in half an hour. We’d already been on the road for 45minutes and there was still no sign of Gartmore village or its splendid hostelry! We trudged on. The dancers caught up and we passed the village signs and crossed the green. We’d been walking for an hour. Another corner, another hill and we spread ourselves on tables outside the Black Bull Inn.
As we drank welcome pints, we noted a local bus stop, considered a taxi, and were astonished to hear the dancing duo insist that they’d make it back by foot. Even as we left to begin the walk back, and the local bus drew up, they refused the opportunity to avail themselves of its comforting return ride. The bus left passenger less!!

The return leg is always easier, especially when the hills tended to be the reverse of up. We made it back to base in 45minutes and assured ourselves that the intake of fish and chips had been well and truly burned up!! Smiles spread across faces as we arrived back at our campsite, although these soon turned to grimaces as the dreaded scourge attacked and demanded an early disappearance under canvas to escape their incessant attack on our sensitive skins!
An early night beckoned and we sought the comfort of warm sleeping bags in midge-free zones.
We slept without rocking, and determined to check the mileage to the pub the next day. Alex assured us it was 0.6 of a mile. We were NOT convinced!!!

More to come…….