Day 34. The Jogler set out from yet another AirBnB hosted by Andrew in Preston and walked a measly 11.2 miles. What!? That can’t be right can it? Is he actually walking from John O’Groats to Land’s End or just having a little wander about. Oh hang on, there’s another message coming through to Blogle HQ. Yes, his bloody route tracer thingy app looks to have broken down again and following that stroll he did a further 20.3 miles.
Now far be it for me to complain but – stop sniggering over there, I’m a very unflappable person normally and – right, that’s it! You over there who’s gone puce in the face trying not to laugh, get out! And take your mate there with you. Yes that one! The one that’s doubled up laughing. Go on. I can wait…
Have they gone?
Good. Bloody cheek! Now as I was saying, I’m really not one to complain – it’s alright, I can wait for the muffled titters to subside – but this isn’t the first time his bloody route tracer thingy app has decided to split Steve’s journey into two without so much as a ‘by your leave.’ And you know what that means don’t you? Exactly! Here at heart of Blogling operations I have to do sums. As if I have time! Here I am providing serious journalistic commentary on this epic charity event for Macmillan Cancer Support (See link here http://bit.ly/2Tzmjwi ) and now I’m expected to do adding up as well! I ask you! It’s a good job that I don’t moan really, isn’t it?
Anyway, the Jogler crossed the River Ribble – Steve knew that because he studied it in ‘O’ level geography. Who says you don’t use what you’re taught in school? There’s a perfect example. O.k., it took nearly forty years, but there it is, the education system in all its glory. I wonder if he passed? As his brother I suppose that that’s the sort of thing I really ought to know.
Or perhaps was it this sign that gave the game away? We may never know. What was verified however was that Leyland did indeed build trucks. Here’s one.
And continuing the trucking theme, here’s a Whale tanker. Why is that important, well because they sponsor Steve on this little adventure. They have their logo on the tee shirt he hasn’t been able to wear until recently because it’s rained so bloody much.
More trucks as he crossed the M6. Where are we now Steve? Oh – Charnock Richard is it? Ah yes, there’s a view that I’m more familiar with.
Another one of those interminable ‘ice’ warning signs. Surprisingly little sign of the slippery stuff though, the Jogler reports.
He is however quite a fan now of pavements. Having done without through much of Scotland they appear now to be one of life’s little luxuries that the mid-point of his journey Jogler really appreciates.
So the stats: Let’s see. Add that to that, carry the one. Has pi got something to do with it or is it a burger? Divide by seven, add two because it’s Friday and take a wild guess. Oh, I don’t know – here are the maps.
From their overnight stop at Garrison’s farm they chose this as their wildlife pic of the day. One can only hope that Steve’s options improve on his trek down south to Land’s End. If you’d like to donate to this charity walk for Macmillan Cancer Support here is the link to his ‘just giving’ page 
They are now well and truly on The Great Trossachs Path (no, no, we did the ‘getting caught by the Trossachs joke the other day, remember?) alongside Loch Lomond and heading out toward Ben Lomond. The Ben is the most southerly of the Scottish Munro’s and therefore very popular due to its proximity to Glasgow.
And so, exhausted from their previous days yomp up and down Ben Nevis our Jogler and Jogleress are having a rest day. I dare say they’ll be in the pub again.
Wow! Not only is the Jogler breaking through all sorts of barriers, 1 week in, over 100 miles and 100,000 steps walked, but now the Blogle is getting in on the act too. We started Day 1 with a meagre 16 views. Yesterday on Day 6 we attracted over 100 views on the blog site, that’s not counting all the interactions on Facebook and Twitter. Keep up the good work sharing, retweeting and generally spreading the word you wonderful people, my brother Steve is doing this for a great charity after all – check out his reasons for walking from John O’Groats to Land’s End along with the 3 peaks thrown in for good measure on his just giving page at 
So, setting out from Evanton our Jogler continued along the lesser known trails he’d discovered the day before. Ominously there were warnings of ice once more, but none encountered – lucky that as our brave walker had left his crampons at home.
Eventually though the inevitable happened and as Steve traversed an unmanned level crossing he found himself once more on the dreaded A9.
Eventually the road crossed the Cromarty Firth, via the aptly named Cromarty Bridge. What a strange coincidence they should both be in the same location. Mindful of the ice warning, Steve was keeping a keen eye out for penguins, but only managed to spot this solitary heron. That’s the wildlife done for today then.
The Jogler now found himself on the ominously named Black Isle, but contrary to expectations found a warm welcome at the local Spar in Culbokie where we give a shout out to the kindly serving ladies who allowed our elite athlete to sit and devour his mars bar and orange lucozade (disclaimer – other confectionery and energy drinks are available) in the chair in the corner reserved for collapsing old folk. What!? No, I never said a word, but I know what you’re thinking. You lot can be so cruel sometimes!
And so on to the highlight of the days adventure. As mentioned yesterday, as part of a covert operation, Steve’s wife Sue, a trained medical professional was dropped in to meet up with our Jogler in a secret rendezvous earlier in the day. Pausing only to bury her parachute beside a convenient haggis nest, our ‘Jogleress’ made her way to the meeting point and duly stuffed her face with a cheese and onion cob. Nothing untoward there you may think, but she was in fact attempting to use the onion smell to mask her unenviable task in examining Bertie Blister. She needs a citation in my opinion, her husband has now been walking for a week and she was only just about to re-supply the Hobbler, sorry Jogler, with a change of socks!
After a thorough assessment, Bertie was pronounced ‘not too bad,’ and the pair set out, past the Black Isle brewery (Steve does appear to have become quite addicted to their produce, perhaps in attempt to mask the undoubted pain in his foot). Over the Kessock Bridge, Steve – as he did on Day One – failed to spot any of the dolphins which are supposed to frequent these waters. Perhaps the Whale and Dolphin Society of Scotland should revoke his honorary membership.
They passed the home of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, took a wrong turn and bumped into Cromwell’s clock tower, restored and all that remains of Ollie’s citadel which was demolished at the start of the Restoration of the monarchy. (Not only do you get geography and nature here folks, we also give you history!)
At this point Steve bid a thankful farewell to the A9, on Day 7 he and his travelling nurse set out along the Great Glen Way.
And so we leave you, dear reader, with a few random views of Inverness and the days statistics:
mistybooks 
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