Day 11

Got up and packed the tent away and left the campsite at Rostrevor.

Today we managed roughly 20 miles but Kenny's feet are in a bit of a bad way so may need to slow down a bit tomorrow and see how it goes.

We went through Warrenpoint to Dundalk which was a lovely walk. Once we had a break we then headed down the coast to Annagassan.

   

We have pitched up on the beach for tonight and plan for a good rest and let Kenny's feet get a well deserved break

Day 10

Left the B&B this morning and got on our way again. Left Rathfriland and walked to Hilltown.

We found a great track through the Mourne Mountains, was a brilliant walk with some stunning scenery.

Camping out tonight and we have managed to find a great campsite at Rostrevor to pitch up.

A pint of Guiness and a fish tea for dinner, superb after a great walk today.

Kenny has sore feet so going to take it easy for a few days and enjoy the walk. 

Day 9

Got up, packed up the tent and thanked David & Rachael for they're kind hospitality.

Walked from Annahilt to Dromara and had some breakfast. Walked another 4 miles more to Finnis then Jack Corcoran from Belfast brought us tea & sandwiches. Cheers mate. I met Jack doing my walk last year and we have kept in touch so was good to see him again.

After our small break we got on our way again and walked another 8 miles to Rathfriland and stopped for the day.

Had a Guinness and found a great B&B thanks to Colin & Jane

Back with more tomorrow

Frank

Day 8

Had a rough night last night in the hostel, very noisy and didn't manage to get much sleep.

Got up and after breakfast i walked from Belfast to Lisburn, roughly 12 miles. Waited for Kenny to arrive on the train to join me for part of the walk.

Whilst waiting on the train i met lovely Jennifer and her wee dog, she gave me directions to the civic centre. I met a couple David & Rachael who after telling about my journey they offered they're garden for me to use to camp out for the night.

After meeting Kenny from the train we walked to David & Rachael's house and got the tent pitched for the night.

Once that was done we walked from Lisburn to Annahilt. Almost 18 miles covered in total today.

Starting to get some pain in my shins, maybe getting shin splints.

A big thank you to David & Rachael for allowing us to use they're garden to camp out, really appreciated it.

Day 7

I had a beautiful breakfast and then left the Seascape County House to get back on the walk.  A big thank you to Margaret for the warm welcome and hospitality.

I walked for 15 miles to Belfast.

I met a man called Harry Robinson who stopped for a chat and offered a lift but unfortunately had to decline. Thanks for the offer though.

Feeling a bit tired today so stopped for the night at the Belfast International Youth Hostel. Nipped into Tesco to get something for my dinner.

Day 6

Said goodbye to the Gilfillan family on saturday morning and Nora drove me back to the Larne ferry terminal to recommence my walk. Unfortunaly Nora needs to go back to work but i'll hopefully see her soon.

Walked 10 miles from Larne to Whitehead. Stopped for a break at the Bentra Grill in Whitehead and was met with a warm welcome and they gave me a Fish tea for free. A big thank you to the staff for the good wishes and hospitality.

I stopped for the night at the seascape country house in a few miles from Whitehead and had a warm welcome from Margaret.

Day 4 & 5

I left Micks house this morning and walked the remaining 6 miles left to get from Gatehead to Troon.

I had a great surprise when i got to Troon to see Nora waiting for me to join me on the way across to Larne. Plan to take a day or 2 break and spend some time Nora and her family.

Thanks to Willie McAlpine for coming to see me off at Troon, Really sorry i missed you, i was already on the ferry and couldn't see you.

Arrived at Larne and Nora took me to Limavady and spent some time resting my sore feet with the Gilfillan family.

I had to buy some new boots today as the other boots i bought were not working out. Hopefully once these are broken in they will be much better.

I would like to say a big thank you to the Gilfillan family for there kind hospitality and generous donations

Day 3

Hi,

Left Elaine's this morning and had a hard walk from Renfrew through to Paisley. I managed to make Neilston by 12pm.

After a short break I then headed on to Stewarton and reached my mate Mick's by 4pm.

Once i had some dinner and a break Mick joined me for an 8 mile walk from Stewarton to Gatehead.

Now in a good position to make it to Troon for the ferry tomorrow morning.

Another 26 miles covered today. Ireland next on the journey



Frank

Day 2

Morning,

After leaving Paul's this morning i was back along the Forth & Clyde canal. Paul walked with me for 2 miles to Twechar.

I reached Kirkintilloch around 10am, i would just like to say a big thank you to the staff at the cafe mariana http://cafemariana.co.uk/ in kirkintilloch for the free coffee.

I stopped outside the stables restaurant and had a good chat with 2 cyclists.

After 12 miles i reached Elaine's house in Maryhill at 2pm. After some refreshments and a rest Elaine joined me for another 6 mile walk to yoker.

Today i have managed another 18 miles.

Frank

P.S.

here is my pic leaving the tearoom from yesterday

The Journey begins

Well the journey has commenced.

Thank you to everyone who came to the Tilly Tearoom to see me off yesterday. It was brilliant to see the support, I felt quite touched and a bit nervous to get going.  Thanks to Neil and his boys, and Alice who walked to Gartmore Dam with me and also   Ryan for walking some of the way with me and of course Colin, who managed to walk to edge of the wee county with me - just over the Clackmannan bridge, I really appreciated the company.

I managed to walk 26 miles yesterday and arrived at the boathouse in Kilsyth.

After a good nights rest at my brother Paul's, I am up and off again. I am hoping to get another few miles under my kilt and staying with my sister tonight.

Get the 3 courses ready Elaine, I'll be needing it!!!

Almost time to the big walk starts

Hi everyone,

I am Frank McGarry, I am going to be walking from Alva, Scotland to Santiago De Compostela in memory of my mother & father, May & Frank McGarry.
I am hoping to raise as much money as possible for Alzheimers's Scotland to help sufferers and families affected by this debilitating disease.
http://www.alzscot.org/

Alzheimer Scotland provides a wide range of specialist services for people with dementia and their carers. They offer personalised support services, community activities, information and advice, at every stage of the dementia journey.

Scotland to Ireland

My journey will commence on monday 19/08/13. I will be setting off from the Tilly Tearoom in Tillicoutry after a hearty breakfast, I will be walking to Kilsyth along the Forth & Clyde canal to the Erskine Bridge then to Stewarton then on to Troon to catch the ferry to Belfast.

Ireland to France

From Belfast I will be walking to Dublin and then to Cork. Then on to the Ferry from Cork to Roscoff, France. I will be travelling through western France through Nantes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux and then on to Bayonne.

France to Spain

Once across the Border into Spain I'll be heading for Najera then to Bourgos, Leon and finally on to Santiago De Compostela.

This will take between 4 & 5 months to complete and I will be walking roughly 1500 miles, your support along the way will be very much appreciated.

You can follow my progress on my just giving page or on my blog franksbigwalk.blogspot.com

Thank You

Frank