Day one: Milngavie to Drymen

After 12 miles, one wrong turn, two pints, rude people and blisters we have arrived safely!

Alex and Ina dropped us off in Milngavie in the morning where our bag was duly checked in and we had the obligatory photos taken at the start point obelisk in the town. This created a bit of a spectacle in itself as it became a bit of a photo shoot!! First Alzheimer t shirts, then Doms, then with the book speed logo! After numerous t shirt changes in the pedestrian precinct we were ready for off! We headed up the side of the beautiful Allander water gurgling by our side, the sun breaking through the trees! It was lovely- so peaceful and so many lovely people. This was about the time of our first wrong turn- too busy chatting and we missed the waymarker! Fortunately a lovely gentleman pointed us in the right direction!
So off we headed and very quickly found our way in the heart of Mugdock Wood- ancient old woodland to the north of Milngavie; hard to believe it's only 10 mins from Glasgow!
Not long after this we were treated like proper ladies when the "laird of the manor" (least he thought he was!!!) held the gate open! On passing through the gate our breaths were taken away by the sheer beauty before us- rolling countryside with the mountains behind- a truly breath taking moment! I have the feeling this will not be the last such moment on our journey!
The path then joined the remains of the strath Blane valley railway- this led us to lunch and a pint at the beech tree inn. The next part of the route wasn't quite so inspiring as it followed the main road so the tunes had to go on!
The path left the railway not much longer after this and joined B roads- talk about up hill and down dale through a beautiful hamlet called Gartness. As we plodded on, I spied a most wondrous sight- the campsite! Shame about the grumpy people who own it! It was then we discovered Lesley's blisters- not good. We're now having tea in Drymen: chip butty- perfect end to a perfect day!!