post from scotland 1

seth here posting from fort augustus on lochness. the journey thus far has been mostly rainy with intervals of sun and then more rain. we've met up with several interesting travelers and have had occasion to share some great meals with many of them along the way. our path today took us from south laggan at the north end of loch lochy and up through the caladonian canal. we're hiking today with a guy named peter, a truck (lorry) driver from leciester. he embodies the average walker we've come to meet along this route- middle aged to slightly older than middle aged folk, mostly from the uk, seeking the adventure and solace which these empty hills and valleys seem to provide. we as yanks, on the other hand as we are somewhat an unpoplular anomoly overseas these days, do provide some sort of topic of converstion with our own presence, if done with a measure of tact and a certain amount of deference. its amazing where self - deprecation can get you. anyway, the pictures will come later and there will be lots, i'm sure. until inverness