I left mid-morning with Charlie, as we were both heading for the same hostel. Katya and Sally stayed later as they were intending to wild camp outside Fort William and didn't want to get there too early in the day and just have to sit around all evening. The route climbs steeply out of Kinlochleven, affording glorious views back in the direction you've come from and I felt initially we were making good time. However just after midday the knee strain that had plagued Charlie for the last hour of yesterday's hike, returned, and he was slowed down considerably. The miles seemed to creep by, so you can imagine our disappointment when we came to a information board that stated we were only halfway - when we'd already been going 3 hours! We passed through felled forest areas and then into a replanted section of non-forestry trees. Whilst it is still growing now I'm sure it will be a splendid walking zone in a few more years. Charlie struggled bravely on up the last climb of the day and then it was all downhill on broad forest roads, passing some very impressive logs on the way. My feet began to ache from how long I'd been on them, but it would have been to mean to just leave Charlie behind in order to finish faster. Instead we decided to stop in Glen Nevis, and had a very nice (very late) lunch in the Ben Nevis Inn, seated by the window looking at the cloud shrouded bulk of Ben Nevis, and it's dauntingly steep track. Maybe next time - I only have one day in Fort William, and I intend to rest.
We finally made it in to town and at 5:30 stopping briefly to purchase WHW badges and then pressing on to the official finish of the Way.
Charlie very kindly bought me a drink that night for not leaving him behind - it's nice to have one's good deeds appreciated.
The next morning we met up again with Katya and Sally and one by one have gone our separate ways - til next time trail-friends.
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