Day 1d - Balmaha to Rowardennan – 7miles

This last section in the day was meant to be a straight home run of 7 miles. We were happy that the first day was nearly over. Some lovely scenery alomg the shores of Loch Lomond. But later we were surprised by the steep ascent of hills, up and down, that just kept going on and on before reaching Rowardennan.

We finally reached Rowardennan to a hearty and warm welcome!!

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Day 1c - Drymen to Balmaha – 8miles

We were enjoying the day as it was dry and hazy - perfect conditions for long distance walking.

Hey we came across speed restrictions!! No speed walking! So here Sanjaybhai and Manishbhai put on their brakes to slow down. We did not see any cameras - speed cameras!

Here Manishbhai and Bharatbhai could not walk together......

Now they made up as friends again!

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Day 1b - Carbeth to Drymen – 7miles

The day started well and there seemed to be a spring in our step!! We were truly enjoying the first few steps of our many thousands to follow along the journey....

Note the scenery as you browse through the the blog - it will change every few hours of walking.........

Spot the bluebells in the photo below....

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Day 1a - Milngavie to Carbeth - 5miles

A good night's sleep on a comfortable bed was a real bonus as the next few nights will be in Youth Hostels with shared facilities. So Premier Inn was a real luxury to start our challenging journey! Bushy tailed, all 29 walkers were eager as ever to commence the West Highland Way Challenge. We all had a good vegetarian breakfast at Premier Inn. After breakfast, the four teams were scheduled to depart in 15 minute intervals from 6.55am.

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7.25 Start - Group 3 on 2nd May 2014

Here is the third of the four groups leaving for the walk. Wish them well!!!

First left at 6.55 am, second at 7.10, third at 7.25 and fourth at around 7.40.

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First Night @ Premier Inn on 1st May 2014

Our first night is spent at Premier Inn in Milngavie.

Once we arrived here after our long journey, we went to see the start line and then straight to Dinner in the Premier Inn Restaurant. The menu was not bad!

The time at dinner gave everyone a chance to catch up with each other. 

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The Volunteer Supporters

We were very fortunate to have four wonderful and resourceful volunteers with boundless energy to support us on our gruelling journey along the West Highland Way. They were the first to be up in the day, starting at 5am in the kitchen to make breakfast.

The Volunteers were Jayantbhai, Maltiben, Minaben and Suniben.

Jayantbhai with 'new earings'!

Maltiben, Jayantbhai, Minaben all nursing youngest group member Sanjaybhai Shelat

Breakfast was creamy hot porridge, cereal - Cornflakes and Weetabix, fruit juice, fresh fruit, thepla, toast and masala tea or coffee.

Lunch was a variety of sandwiches freshly made with lots of love and a double bout of positively inspired energy! Gormet sandwiches - cream cheese and chutney, cheese and cucumber or a special order of your choice!! Were we spoilt on the Highlands? You bet!

In addition we had the usual - freshly peeled oranges sprinkled with salt, freshly cut apples and pears, potato crisps, hula hoops, theplas, dhebras, bananas, papdi gathias (day 3) etc....

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The Groups

For the ease of logistics and pacing the walks, the 29 walkers were divided into four groups:

Group 1 - 'Pagal'

Kaushik Shah
Pradeep Shah
Divya Shah
Jagdeep Shah
Mayur Dhanani
Rajesh Dhanani
Rashmita Shah

Group 2 - 'Gandas'

Kavi Shah
Ajay Gudka
Chetan Parekh
Dhiren Shah
Harsha Shah
Raj Shah
Rasik Shah
Vipul Buddhdev

Group 3 - 'Shishu Tots'

Naresh Shah
Ramesh (Ruda) Patel
Bharat Dhanani
Ketan Varia
Manish Shah
Neel Shah
Sanjay Shah
Sanjay Shelat

Group 4 - 'Junglee'

Dhimant Shah
Rahul Shah
Dipak Patel
Hitesh Patani
Mukesh Shah
Narendra Hirji Shah

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Van has a puncture

One of our vehicles had a puncture on the way. Luckily we had stopped at services when we discovered it. This is just the first hurdle we have had to face and we have taken it in our stride ..... still smiling altogether! Maybe a message that we have to start walking NOW!

You will not believe this but it was incredibly hard for the wheel to come off and we actually had to call in reinforcement from two RAC patrolmen who had to use a winch to get the wheel off!!

After nearly two hours, we were back on the road. 

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The Journey Has Begun.....

We left Stanmore at around 10am this morning to drive up to Scotland. There was some light rain when we left London but it soon dried up. 30 of us with two minibuses and a van. Picked up two more people from Luton enroute and one more person to pick up in Preston. The planned route is M1, M6 and towards Glasgow. From there to Milngavie via A74.

The journey has started well. Everyone is excited and keen to enjoy and next few days and the challenge!

Stay tuned for further updates.....

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Raising funds for Shishukunj, a UK registered Children's Charity

Hi!

I need all your help and support I can get! I am embarking on a crazy challenge...

...to walk 96 miles over 4 days on the ‘West Highland Way’ in Scotland.

The Route starts just outside Glasgow and finishes at Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis. 

We are a team of 28 walkers and 4 volunteers, and have been training hard over the past few weeks. During the 4 days of our trek, we will be walking upto 26 miles a day!

You may ask why would anyone want to walk 96 miles in 4 days?!! This is a personal challenge to go beyond my comfort zone and do something challenging enough, whilst raising funds for a worthwhile cause. This route is also arguably the ‘most scenic route in the UK’, and I love the outdoors, so I am looking forward to the walk! Check out their website - www.west-highland-way.co.uk/home.asp.

I must confess that another reason why I wanted to walk this distance was to lose weight and get fitter!! But to my dismay, I have not lost any weight whilst training! :-( So my conclusion is that walking does not help to lose weight!!

I am raising funds for Shishukunj, a UK registered Children's Charity dedicated to the development of children both here in the UK and abroad. Supported largely by a strong volunteer force, Shishukunj has undertaken great work in the UK and globally since 1941. Please do visit their website www.shishukunj.org.uk. I have been associated with Shishukunj since 1974 – for 40 years! Every penny raised through your donation will go towards supporting children directly. So please give whatever you can and help me reach my target.

Don't forget to tick the box to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation if you're a UK tax payer. Virgin Money Giving will pass this on in full to charity, making your donation go even further. I really appreciate all your support and thank you for your donation.

PLEASE dig deep! Every Penny Helps!

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