Important Info
Planned kilometres: 0 (cummulative 1541)
Kilometres walked: 0 (cummulative 1606)
% Completed: 88.5%
Weather: Sunny
Pubs visited: Dores Inn, The Dog House
Pints: 5 (cummulative 198)
Kms per pint: 8.1
Blisters: 0 (cummulative 4)
Inverness & Dores (Rest Day)
As I haven’t seen many midges and the hat/face net that I brought in Glasgow hasn’t been used, I thought I would try it on and get a photo to show what I had in preparation just in case the midges were encountered.
Today is a rest day and as I am walking solidly for the next seven days, this morning was about getting some jobs done.
- Laundry done so I had a pack of clean clothes
- Excess clothes/gear posted back to London to reduce pack weight as no luggage service now
- Another barber to remove the mohawk (can’t afford the weight of carrying hair gel) and to give the beard its first trim.
This afternoon we took a taxi to the Dores Inn to have lunch and a few beers in the garden bar on the banks of Loch Ness.
As the sun was shining it was a great day to spend in the garden bar overlooking the loch.
Not a bad place to do my blog from. Steve is trying to take an artistic photo of his cider and Loch Ness, but I think I have nailed it with this photo.
Next to the Dores Inn is also the famous Nessie Hunter (www.Nessiehunter.co.uk). Steve Feltham has been a fulltime Loch ness monster hunter since 1991 and is recognised in the Guinness book of records. He wasn’t home when we visited but below are photos of the old library bus that he lives in next to the loch and Dores Inn.
My mate Steve caught the Caledonian train back to Manchester tonight and after four days having a great time walking, drinking and acting (slightly) immature with him it will be tougher tomorrow striking out on my own for John O’Groats.
Only 7 days and just over 200 kms to go to complete my trip. The rest of the trip is mainly walking along an A road and its going to be a slog as I haven’t found any walkers who have enjoyed this part of the trip. I am very fortunate that the forecast for the next 7 days is good weather.
I am not sure how I will feel when the trip finishes in seven days but definitely know that I won’t be doing a Forrest Gump and turning around and walking back again.
www.mylongpubcrawl.com 
Mate, many years ago we were at the Dores Inn. Great memories. Looks just the same!
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Awesome effort Andrew – getting close to the end so I hope you really get to enjoy every step over the next week. The entire family have loved the journey and wishing you all the best – cheers Brett & Family
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Find it hard to believe that you were acting slightly immaturely! Wow only 200 kms left to go.I will miss reading your blog usually keeps me entertained while eating dinner on a late shift.
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PS: Keep the hat – you can wear it next time you take Kate Steere out for dinner.
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Haven’t I been traumisited enough with my rats
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Too funny Paula. Fabulous idea!
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Mate, best of luck on the last 200 miles, go hard, you’ll be out the other side before you know it! Just waking up in Tuscany – if the weather in Scotland comes from the east, you’ll be fine, although, that would be way, way too neat!! Really enjoying the blog, see you in London next week.
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“Isn’t walking back all downhill it is on my map” – your 6 year old nephew Barnaby
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I should have got advce from him before I started as I then I wouldn’t have walked uphill all the way
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Awesome effort so far ( even if the pints / km is slipping )
look forward to seeing make it to the end
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Not the Mohawk!!! Thinking of you on this last stretch.
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Still in awe! Fantastic job Andrew! Lucky you got rid of the Mohawk and trimmed the beard. Aerodynamics are important – you’ll fly through this final 200km
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Hope you’re torching the ‘Surfer Joe’s on your return…
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Can’t believe you’ve got rid of the Mohawk! Hope the last stretch is more enjoyable than you anticipate.
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