Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day Marches - Day 2
Distance 34km Climb 540m
Sunday 5 May 2019
Tim, Frans and I found ourselves near the front as we approached the start point for Day 2 of the Scottish Garelochhead March 2019. The weather was dry although a little cooler than yesterday the forecast was promising another good day. I thought the weather on Day 2 in 2017 was poor, but that must have been an earlier event. I have attached links to all my previous walks on the Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day March below.
Once through the gates we crossed over on to the main road the A814 and turned left and
headed up the hill, as we had the
day before.
After a few hundred meters the road turned South, and as a lot of the roads in the area started rolling up and down climbing higher and higher.
For most of the walk up hill it was cool and fresh. The road is sheltered on both sides with tall trees however occasionally there are gaps on the left hand side allowing us views across Gare Loch. Visibility was good this year and so we had some brilliant views.
We kept a steady pace going up, on the first hill a number of teams had passed us, now we returned the complement and passed them. Finding ourselves in front, behind the police car, we reached the first rest stop, first.
The first rest stop area was up a narrow side track, just to the right off the main road. After a short stop we soon set off again, but were no longer first.
Marching straight across the junction we had a small climb before we followed the route markers that took us right, South. Through the trees we had our first view today of Loch Long.
Very soon the road started to twist South/South Westerly as it drops down hill, turning directly West it very quickly turns steep, this was what was called Bastard hill, (Peaton Road).
Near the bottom of the hill we turned left onto Barbour Road heading towards Cove.
The road levelled a little before starting to roll up and down. Below to our right, west we could see a different part of Loch Long to what we saw yesterday.
Passing a little piece of Australia.
Following the markers we turned right down into Cove, passing some new houses, and the school. There is a short steep drop down to the B833.
A right hand turn along Shore Road the B833 and we soon arrived at the Cove Burgh Hall for the second rest stop of the day and lunch. Lunch was very civilised sitting on a proper chair and eating at a table.
After our lunch we took some time out to relax on a seat across the road that looks across the Loch.
Near the War Memorial for those who gave their lives during the Great War.
After our break we moved in a Northerly direction by the side of Loch Long, the views were clear and we could see far across to the other side. Passing some grand looking houses on our right.
Frans spotted a swan sitting on a nest. Checking my previous blog on our walk along here I had noted at the time we passed a couple of swans building a nest in this area. I wonder if it was the same swans?
On our travels we passed London on our right.
Rain suddenly appeared on the far side of the Loch. It was not long before we felt a cold wind started to blew and as it grew stronger it started battering the trees. Then the train arrived.
As usual this starts the debate waterproofs on or not, will the rain go or will it stay. It was heavy and therefore we made the decision to stop and to put on our waterproof jackets.
Waterproofs on we continued, within minutes as we cleared some trees the rain stopped and the sun came out. Its the law if we hadn't put on our waterproofs it would have continued raining, but as we did, the sun came out.
Approx 4km North from Cove is Peaton and we soon reached the right turn that leads to the Bastard Hill. We took off our waterproofs at the bottom of the hill.
We then started the climb East, then it was up, up and up up the Bastard Hill, up, up and up up again we marched.
Near the top the route turns left, Northerly before dropping a little. We had a short stop to say Skoll with our friends The Ravens. A brilliant group of lads who we had seen over the past two days.
Just up the rise and across the road is the third rest stop. Which is the same stop as the first rest stop due to the
route.
No one was staying for long in the rest area, the finish was only a couple of hours away. We also had a very short stop, next stop would be the finish.
When we set off again we took a steady pace back down the road we had walked up to the first rest stop. Enjoying the views across Loch Gare when a gap appears in the trees which are now to our right.
It did not take us long to reach the roundabout at the bottom of the hill, now we were facing East.
Straight over the roundabout towards Helensburgh on the A814. As the road climbs it turns Southwards. Another couple of climbs and we were approaching the roundabout where we had joined the A814 on the previous days March.
Straight over this roundabout and we had less than a km to go, all downhill.
A right turn and a short rise up to the camp gates. Where we were met by
cheering and clapping from other groups who were still near the entrance.
Today Day 2 we had covered 34km with 540m climb. Again another brilliant day out on the road with Tim and Frans. The weather had been good to us which helps. All done, all completed now, next stop Nijmegen 2019.
As everything points to this being my very last opportunity to take part in the Scottish Garelochhead March I would like to Thank everyone involved in organising, volunteering, support and marching, making this such a great event and hope that it continues. THANK YOU.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Garelochhead Scottish 2 Days Marches or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to previous day - Day 1 2019
Follow link to Day 2 2017
Follow link to Day 2 2014Follow link to Day 2 2013
