The Tale of a Particular Walk

14 November Loch Bradon
Alan, Bob, Davie, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex & Robert
Overcast with a threat of rain. Sunny spells later
“There’s a path right round the loch”, said he who knows these things. Why we believed him is difficult to say, but we did.
We left the cars in the car park at Stinchar bridge and followed the tarmac toward the loch. When the tarmac ran out we took the forest road to the picnic spot overlooking the loch and had elevenses. Johnny discovered the end of his walking pole was missing but he reckoned that he would not need it for there was a path right round the loch and the going would be easy.
We definitely looked for the path going round the loch. We did! There was none! Why do we do listen to each other? We ended up slipping and slithering over greasy boulders or struggling through thigh-high, tussocky grass and heather. Still it was only about miles and miles and miles (250 metres). I am sorry to say that some muttering and mumbling was heard then. Eventually we found the forest road and all was sweetness and light again. We followed the road to the first dam. Some of us managed the climb on to the dam and crossed this. The faint of heart took the road. East of the first Dam the road petered out and a path took us to the side of the water again. Had lunch here while Johnny exhibited his old cricket skills by constantly throwing a stick into the loch for holly to retrieve. After three 'overs' both were beginning to flag.
After the peece, the path took us to the second dam. Those who saw the gap in the dam kept to the road, the other two decided to cross the dam. Did we tell them? We waited at the other end of the dam for the two of them to retrace their steps and come by the road. We found the path round the south side of the loch and the racers took off. The sensible amongst us took their time. Came together at the tarmac. Walking back along the tarmac Johnny’s missing part was found so we all returned to the cars happy - kn*****ed but happy
A grand day out and worth repeating.