A Glencoe weekend

Back from the rig Thursday night, and up to Glencoe on Friday. Met Jimmy Saville in the pub - now then, now then, but he didn't fix the weather for Saturday. The morning loomed grey and the Ballachullish Horseshoe walk didn't look the best as the tops were covered in a misty mess. The forecast was a bit pants as well, so I called Mountain Mike to arrange the walk on Aonoch Eagach for Sunday. We ended up walking up to the Hidden Valley in a mix of weather - wet,dry, and wet. But it was fun and a great surprise when you crest the brow of the hill and the valley lays before you. It would be great for a picnic on a dry sunny sky - assuming the midgies don't get you. But we didn't see many this weekend - too wet and a touch chilly on high.

Sunday didn't start too well, due to Mike not turning up for the ridge walk. As it is one of the best in the UK to do, I was having second thoughts as I sat in the car and looked up. But you make a choice in this life and stick with it - I choose life, so I was up and walking uphill to the start of the ridge.

Fortunately for me I met up with three great guys from Dumbarton - Neil, Garry, and John. They gave me the confidence to walk/climb the Aonoch Eagach, and not only that they were great company as well.

All I need now is some continental drift to bring Scotland a touch closer - it's just a bit too far for a day walk. So in future I shall be planning a few more weekends up in Bonny Scotland - a fantastic place to walk and celebrate afterwards. I met some lovely people this weekend - thanks to you all.

My best walk to date

Well it finally came along....I had to cancel a walk in the lake district because it was absolutely persisting it down. I was heading up to Jacks Rake in the Langdale Pikes to meet up with a couple of mates, and judging by the response I got from Paul when I asked how the weather was, I made the right decision - "as bad as it gets" read his text. As I had better things to do later in the month I didn't feel too sorry, and as it happens I nipped down to the Llyn Peninsula for a walk up the Rivals at the weekend before the nuptuals. We had a great little walk in sunshine and an amazing little hillfort called Tre'r Ceiri - well worth a visit.

The next saturday I dubbined up my boots and scrubbed up for the best walk of my life. I was priveleged to walk my precious daughter from the house and up the aisle to the altar. The day was fantastic and obviously very emotional for us all, but even the fickle British weather behaved for the day.

The next few days I felt strangely flat after all the build up of the weeks before, and to add to that work had the temerity to call me back to Denmark. But work is work, and now the wedding is done and dusted I can start to plan a little more for my coast to coast next year - Bamburgh to St. Bees. But before that I am going for a week to Mallorca for a little wandering up in the Tramuntana mountains. My mate Murray has given me several walks to consider - he even went in the office and scanned them for me on a Sunday - what a star. That's several pints I owe.

Next up for me weather permitting is the fearsome Aonoch Eagach in Glencoe......gulp....watch this space...