We are the Famous Five (West Highland Way)

[ Firstly, my friends, it is not surprising, though again, disappointing,  that the Boston resident should engage in some Alternative Facting. Still, it isn't his fault, that's what the movie business will do to you. See below for an honest assessment of the last day].  And so it came to pass, last day walking, free of all the stresses and strains of the real World, a group of lads enjoying the fresh air and each other's company. Or not, as it so happened. After Victor's heroics yesterday we knew that Pa had a point to prove. Especially after spending a night in a dog kennel with three others. The Engineer meanwhile luxuriated in a family room with a tv and two spare beds. Course he kept well quiet about this. There was no 'ah come on lads, I'll see you right, share with me". In fact he left dog biscuits outside the door just because he thinks he's funny. He was barking up the wrong tree on that score and we vowed to put some manners on him at t...

So it had to happen. Frank has cracked. Two nights in a row in a sweat box and he is broken.  He has disavowed blog duties and appears sullen. Pa stepped in and saved the blogging day. The last leg was doomed from the get go. No one slept well except for Cormac whose accomodations were top of the line two star. No sleep, no esprit du corps, no energy to rally and treat each other with any semblance of decorum. Clearly a leadership vacuum. And our supposed leader Cormac was lounging solo in a 3 bedroom with all the mod cons. Off we went. Burdened with lingering resentments, it was angry hiking. Not a happy ending in sight. There had been talk of a 3 day party to celebrate our achievements on the trail. Not a feckin' chance. Pa tried to rally everyone with a well rehearsed Patton speech but it was of little use. Mike smiled nervously. Vic's vision of a harmonious drum circle was in tatters.  We rolled into Fort William at disjointed times, not a pair of us to cross the lin...

Super walk today over the mountain and into the town. Pa and Mike walked with me - normally I was forced to walk alone - so few photos of them below. Vic put manners on us all and waltzed into town thirty minutes before the rest. I promised I wouldn't mention the fish and chip shop incident with Cormac. So I won't. Let's just say chicken nuggets probably wasn't the way to go.... This is our accommodation tonight. Four of us in this shed. I'm not blaming Vic for this but needless to say things are tense in the camp. Cormac is laughing of course as he has a room up town.

We met Mary from Kilfenora on route and I think it's fair to say that Frank made an instant impression. It was clear that she was immediately attracted. What was also clear was that the other lads didn't like it. None of Mike's gags went down well and as for Cormac's jokes and interesting anecdotes, well, the less said the better. Pa and Vic remained curiously aloof although Pa was distracted by allowing the two Israeli's to shower in his room and whether they would rob him blind or not. And then kill him.  Anyway Mary went on her way, though looking back at Frank all the while, in a pining, longing kind of way. And the lads settled in for a few leisurely pints over food to watch Man Utd v Ajax. And then the bombshell from Cormac. He said to Frank the following:  "You are hearing the ladies Frank, but you are not listening.  And you look at them but you don't see them" . Frank went for him immediately and got a good few blows in before Benn...

It was hot and it was sticky.  A member of our party (who shall remain nameless) got sick on an orange but we think that perhaps it was something to do with the night before. Sorry for all the Pa shots, he was very insistent that he be the focus of this post.       

An interesting day after all the coups in the past few days. Cormac has slipped easily into his leadership role as the big man, ruling with an iron grip. What he did to Vic over the spilling the wine incident was truly shocking, as well as sending a very strong message. Deliverance comes to all who deserve it I suppose.  Of course, the usual infighting continues unabated under the superficiality of all being good in the camp.  Firstly, the organizational abilities of the group remain pathetic. After much discussion last night no one knew what was agreed for the morning. After multiple texts still no one knew who was doing what with whom. Look, I'm the last one to point the finger but Mike really is dragging us all down. Not to put too fine a point on it, but there really is too much lubing. Which is fine but why involve the rest of us?  And then there was the incident with the cops, and you've guessed it, Mike again. In fairness, sheep worrying is hard to prove but he cou...