Jenny has been saying to me for the last few weeks that I should really try out my new rucksack. She said, “put some stuff in it and go for a walk”. I said, “good idea, I might”. Well I didn’t.

Part of the reason was that I didn’t want to use it, find I didn’t like it, and then have to buy another one. I couldn’t really afford to do that, and besides, it’d be a waste of money. My compromise position was to walk to the station today to give it a good shake down on a smaller walk before the walk proper tomorrow. That also would give the opportunity to make adjustments on the train and try out those adjustments walking between platforms. I may, and only may, have erred.

I was expecting this pack to be a big improvement over my last one. So far that doesn’t seem to be the case although it’s early doors and I’m hopeful that things will improve. It didn’t help that the walk to the station went from a leisurely stroll to a quick march as I wanted to catch an earlier train to give me more time for my connection in Sheffield. That part worked out well but I did get some pain in my shoulders. Which is exactly the problem I had with the last pack. I thought the more substantial waist belt would eliminate this problem but not so far. Maybe I’ve just gone for the wrong size. I’m not sure. I will persist though. I’ve made a few adjustments so we’ll see. It’s not had a proper test at its new settings. For example, the walk from platform 14 to platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly wasn’t a very big test.

The sun shone

The walk to the station, despite the pack concerns, was sunny. I was a bit too hot for the first time in a long time. It wasn’t a stress free start to the day. Kian’s moped had broken down on his way to college and Jake had decided to cook rice last night, and as with all his cooking endeavours, involved quite a bit of tidying for me.

I couldn’t actually do anything to help Kian. One of the terrible things about being a parent is not being able to solve all your children’s problems. His call to me really was just for information and to make me worry as he was pushing the moped the last mile or so to college and getting it working was a future problem. However, it did worry me and added another level of anxiety to what was not an anxiety free endeavour.

Positive thoughts though, the sun was shining, I was making good progress and would catch the earlier train, and I was getting to go on another thru-hike. Don’t let those demons get you down…

Old haunts

I didn’t really think I’d have much to write about today. It’s more of a positioning exercise to get me in the right place to start the walks. It was easy to forget why I was actually doing it. I know some people love cities but they can depress me a little when I see some of the litter and people who’ve not been as lucky as me in life. It amazes me that this time tomorrow I’m going to be walking along the banks of Loch Lomond. The contrast should be amazing. I think with all the bluster of the train journeys it’s easy to forget that I’m a few miles away from unbelievable views and peace and quiet.

To the old haunts. I’d been messaging Tom today and he reminded me that this time last year he was heading around Ennerdale Water with Andrew and I realised I would have been doing the same. Probably a little behind them as I remember engaging in a lot of procrastination that morning. It occurred to me that the train would have to cross the path of the Coast to Coast. Since that route went from the West coast to the East it was physically impossible for it not to. It actually crosses just next to the point where the path goes over the M6. Definitely a significant point in any coast to coast journey. This is just after Shap. A place where I decided to upgrade from my tent to a dog kennel type structure.

I’m so glad I looked out for it. It was nice to relive those memories. I thought to myself, if I was doing the coast to coast again, I wouldn’t be feeling so nervous. I’m always a lot more relaxed the second time I do anything.

Everything was late

But not my fault. And not really important.

The train from Leicester was 5 minutes late, but didn’t matter as I was catching an earlier one so the connection at Sheffield was less critical. It did make me very glad I’d made the effort to catch it. Although more effort than was required as it was late!

The train from Sheffield to Manchester was late which worried me a lot as I didn’t want to miss my connection there. I didn’t sit down on that train as I didn’t want to leave my backpack and there were no free double seats (one for me and one for my pack). It was a nice view from where I was standing though, looking out of the door window at Edale and other parts of the Peak District. It was odd going through Stockport, a place I used to live in. I hardly recognise any of it.

The train from Manchester to Glasgow was about 20 minutes late. So all the time worrying about missing the connection were wasted worry minutes. It was really busy as well. When the train finally arrived we were herded on with someone over the tannoy making sarcastic comments about trains having multiple doors and maybe we should use them. Although they had a point. Some older people – now what do I mean by older people? That used to be people in their 40s. More recently it was in their 50s. Now 50 is very young I think older people must mean those about to celebrate their centenary.

There were two older people in particular who pushed in from of me and then proceeded to stop and discuss whether to turn left or right on the train. Then go left, then stop, go back on themselves, only to then spin round and go back left again. I didn’t feel very tolerant of them. Sorry. The man on the tannoy knew what he was talking about.

I don’t repeat every mistake

The journey from Manchester to Glasgow was really pleasant. I heard from Kian his moped was now working so he was on his way home, I was listening to some music, glued to the window as the views continued to change. Amazed how the motorway and train lines seemed to wind round each other, watching the hills in the background getting higher and higher. Although their tops were starting to disappear into low clouds now as the weather was getting a bit wet. But, I was happy and enjoying the ride.

Once in Glasgow I found the hotel really easily. Popped out to get some lunch for tomorrow, had chicken nuggets for tea, passively smoked the ‘herbal’ cigarettes that some of the locals were enjoying and then headed to my room. All in good time. So I do learn. On my last walk I decided it’d be a good idea to walk another 8 miles the same day as the journey down and ended up walking along cliffs in the dark. This is very much a contrast.

Early start tomorrow

As discussed, I’ve got a long day tomorrow to get to my campsite. The train to Milngavie leaves from Queen Street station and only takes 25 minutes so I should be on the trail in good time. I’m aiming for 8. That then gives me 12 hours to cover the miles. I really don’t want to be worried tomorrow. That has a habit of ruining things for me – certainly at the time anyway. When I look back I always feel triumphant.

I’ve checked the West Highland Way website for any diversions and issues and it looks like I’ve been fortunate. Conic Hill has had closures to fix a path recently and more are due in the next 2 days but tomorrow I think I’m good. See, things often do work out.