Bang…whoosh – what was that ?

Well it’s been another couple of windy days here, so windy in fact that the picnic table in the garden was tossed up  and over by the wind ! and as for the dustbin…well you can imagine ! Gusts up to 100 mph were not unusual, with torrential rain to accompany it

So, what did I do ? Well I found myself somewhere to stop next week Osprey Cottage in Cromdale http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Moray-Aberdeenshire-The-Coastal-Trail-Grantown-On-Spey/Osprey-Cottage-4234.html near to the site of the famous Battle of Cromdale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cromdale , where I move to tomorrow ( Friday), I don’t expect to have an internet connection, so it may be a while before i update things !

Whilst I’m there I expect to be able to do a little climbing in and around Aviemore, and the Cairngorms, and also more biking – the weather forecast looks reasonable (at least not too much rain ), so should be fun !

I also spent quite a while reading up on visiting Australia – more later in the year, and reading up on a couple of other things…

So, today the wind has died down a little, and I took advantage of a break in the rain, to go out riding, firstly collecting my unusual rocks, then riding along the Glen road, intending to ride across along the Coulin  pass to Achnashellach, having gone some way along it last week.. I’d only gone a few miles along the road, when suddenly there was a loud explosion from my tyre, followed by the unmistakable hiss of the air in my tyre whooshing out, and almost immediately I had a flat rear tyre !

Fortunately, I had brought my cycle bag with me- for the first time on this trip, someone obviously ‘guiding me’-thanks ! - containing pump,spare inners etc, and with much adroitness (but not speed) managed to replace the inner tube, and pump the tyre up sufficiently to get me back home… phew, that was close…

I then took the opportunity to start packing for my move tomorrow,at least I got my bikes on the carrier...before the rain came again, so I had a hot bath,continued my packing indoors, and preparing to move early tomorrow

So, I’ll say ‘Ta rah’ for now,and I’ll update next week sometime… Keep smiling Jotown !

Slip,Sliding…away

Up early today, to try and climb up (and down) before forecasted bad weather later in the day..

I was climbing the big beast of Liatach http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Liathach.shtml  from the west end, and so filled up on a big Breakfast and set off as it was only just becoming daylight

I was soon down the bottom of the Glen, found the start point, and set off straight upwards towards the steep cliffs above, hoping that I would be able to work my way through the cliffs, to the top of Spidean a Choire Leath, 1020 mts http://www.munromagic.com/mountaininfo.cfm?mountain=75  Although steep and unremitting, I was able to follow the track upwards, and soon had in sight, the cleft that I would have to work my way through/around, so as to reach the ridge above… As I reached 500+ mts the lying snow became quite deep, and unconsolidated – it was soft,wet snow, blanketing the ground as I continued upwards, trying to pick out the safest route – the difficulty with wet snow, is that as it gets deeper, particularly on steep ground it could all slide beneath me – Avalanche… not what I wanted to experience today !

I continued up to 750 mts, and as I got higher the lying snow was deeper,softer…and dangerous, no matter which way I tried (and I tried several different routes) up through the gully above I couldn’t make any progress, not far… but far enough !

Eventually I decided enough was enough, I wasn’t (or couldn’t)  going to find a safe route up and onto the ridge above, and called it a day …took in the views, and started the slog back down to the valley below – itself a tricky business !

As I got off the snow patches, I sat down and had an early lunch, looking down on the Glen below, an easier day than I had expected… this did allow me to take in my surroundings a bit more than normal, including ‘Wally’ in the vale below.. and lots of waterfalls as the streams tipped and tumbled all the way down the steep hillside …

As I arrived back at ‘Wally’ I realised my real good fortune… the rain started just as I got there, and I drove home,dry,content…to a nice hot bath, and afternoon snooze listening to the wind gathering force as the day went into night, with gusts of 100 mph forecast !

So, I’ll say a ‘windy’ Goodnight

and Happy Birthday Nicola…all the way over in the USA !

Wet and Wild in the Highlands

It’s been a couple of rough days up here, with gales and torrential rain sweeping across the highlands… so I’ve done the sensible thing !

I managed to get and read the Sunday paper, got to church in Gairloch community centre, cooked a nice ‘Spicy Lamb’ with chickpeas (for several meals !), read another book, watched the birds feeding and generally took it easy

I had been hoping to at least go biking today, but watching the rain sweep across my field of view deterred me slightly.. by late afternoon things did look at a little brighter, so I quickly changed and went out (fortunately in rain gear), exploring the hillside , spotting some nice coloured stones –you can guess where they’ll end up ! , and again the rain swept in, so I did also before I got too wet

The forecast suggests things dying down overnight, with then more rain/snow later tomorrow, so I’ll be in bed early, and up very early too, hopefully beat most of the bad weather, and maybe even, have a climb on Liatach… who knows ?

So, I’ll bid you all adieu… Goodnight

By No Means …Certain ?

The weather was a little uncertain today, heavy snow and gale force winds had been forecast, but not yet materialised – and occasional bursts of sunshine have been the order of the day

I’d taken advantage of the forecast, and my wet gear… to not set the alarm, and ‘wake on demand’, so I did – at 7 a.m. !, and managed a couple of hours listening to  sounds of the sixties http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wqlv whilst finishing a book I’d started reading last night

When the programme had finished, and I finished the book, I got up and treated myself to a ‘full fry up’ (with toast !), and lounged around, before deciding to take advantage of the sunshine, and went out for a ride on my mountain bike, exploring the trails nearby, with views down over Kinlochewe and Torridon  

then a leisurely return ride, and cooking a big pan of ‘Scotch Broth’ ..should be ready for tomorrow !

Again heavy snow forecast for tomorrow, although I doubt it – so we shall have to wait and see what tomorrow brings, meanwhile I’ll bid you an early Goodnight !

Celebrating the Bards Day

Again an early start, and a quick view outside didn’t raise my hopes too much –grey,overcast, and as I was leaving scattered rain came whistling up the Glen, giving me the chance to change into rain gear (just in case !)

I drove down the Glen, to the car park situated between Beinn Eighe  and Liatach. My option was to be the western end of Beinn Eighe, hoping to climb up the side of the ‘Triple Buttress’ to the top of Ruadh Stac Mhor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beinn_Eighe and then, dependent on the weather (and my legs !) I would decide whether to do more…

Firstly I had to travel up alongside Choire Dhubh, on what is now a good path, lifting me from the car park, into the snowy terrain ahead, and as I gained height the snow/sleet arrived battering me in my face, as I tramped along

With my excellent navigational skills ( !) I located the split in the path, and took a branch around the side of Sail Mhor continuing to rise as I walked along facing into the now persistent snow, stinging my eyeballs as it battered into my face !

As I wandered further up, towards Choire Mhic Fhearchair I saw fresh bird tracks in the snow ,and saw ahead of me a YBB !…aka as  a Ptarmigan in it’s white winter plumage !I don’t suppose many get so close to one of the se birds, well camouflaged as they are. I continued up the snowy track, towards the Choire floor, with gale force winds peppering the snow/sleet into my face , and I managed to scoop snow out from behind a large boulder, so that I could shelter and eat something… now what to do ? The continual snow had started to build up a lot of wet snow across the trail, and was quite unstable.. I decided I’d try for a while to get to the top of the Corries, and climb to Rhud Stac Mhor , if I could, it being only another 300 mts climb…

I started working my way alongside the Loch, trying to gain height, and get further towards the corner gully which I was to use to climb up to the summit – not as easy as it could be ! The wet snow was covering all the hillside, and I was continually dropping through the snow, sometimes up to my waist in the wet snow,but more worryingly not being able to see the rocks beneath, which could injure me… I kept going for about 30 minutes, had a few ‘close shaves’ and decided I wouldn’t be able to safely get along the Coire, and then there was the likelihood that the wet snow wouldn’t have been safe to climb up… so reluctantly, I decided to turn around, and start to make my way down… easier said than done, the earlier firm snow, had turned to ‘mush’ and I was soon sloshing through wet snow as I went… and as I got lower the snow turned to rain…a miserable  walk back to ‘Wally’, by which time I was soaked and cold.. although another good walk up to the reputedly most beautiful Lochan  in Europe !

So, a nice hot bath…and Macaroni Cheese for dinner…lovely, with Rhubarb Crumble and custard to follow, delish – my own Special Rabby Burns Supper !

I’ll say an early Good night to you all !

Where’s the Keys ? ….Ooops !!

Yes, I was up early, shortly after 6 a.m., and looking out saw that far from the clear skies expected, it was dull,misty and overcast, so in deference to my aching legs and feet…I went back to bed, for a relaxing day !

The weather didn’t improve much all day, battleship grey probably being the best way to describe the skies colour, although there was an appearance of blue late in the day,  not for long though…and quite cold outside…as I found to my horror, especially when I realised that whilst messing about outside I’d locked the door, and inside the house were the Keys !!! – I was locked out… fortunately my years of reading all the brochures etc provided with accommodation paid off ! – I’d read that a spare key was held down the road, and as I pedalled furiously there, wondered whether I’d remembered correctly… I had ! - and soon pedalled back and forth with the spare key, and later returning it ! -

There , a whole days excitement in 10 minutes, and all the while seeing and receiving lots of messages about Kinder Downfall, only a few miles from home being in glorious climbing condition , ah well, enjoy the picture…

Horns of a Dilemma

An early start at 6-30 a.m. this morning as I looked out onto a starry sky, with the prospects of a good day ahead..

I intended climbing Beinn Alligin http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinnalligin.shtml hopefully all the circuit, but if not at least a ‘Munro’ or two !

As I drove along the road towards Torridon village, the sun was just catching the snowy tops of Beinn Eighe and Liatach – which I was saving for other days !

I continued up through Torridon, to a car park and the start point for today, looking through the trees up at the Alligin massif, with sunshine just on the tops

I soon set off, clomping up across the moor at the side of a stream, and up and over several rock outcrops, and eventually a huge stile over the deer fence –must have been 8feet high ! There was a good track to follow, and as I gained height was soon into the snow and ice, which wasn’t a problem, until there was sheet ice laying over the entire path… but, as my navigation is never the best (so, it’s said ?) it was nice to be able to follow a trail, and some footsteps in the snow, probably from the weekend, as no other vehicles were on the car park. I continued into a rocky snow filled gully, with my route straight up ahead, meandering around the bigger rocks, although falling into deep snow occasionally. I stopped for a snack half way up, then continued, soon to reach my first top of the day..with views of  the first ‘Munro’ nearby. I didn’t hang around, and scuttled across the snowy panorama, and continued upwards a short distance to Tom na Gruagaich at 920 mts high, although my altimeter said a lot higher ! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beinn_Alligin From the trig point I had a fantastic view all around, out to Skye in the distance, and across the tops to the ‘horns’, which I still wondered whether I would be able to climb ?  As I moved from the top, towards the ridge over to the next top, I was met with some ‘tricky’ snow covered rocks, which I would have to negotiate down, and possibly up later… I couldn’t see a safe way down, although I did have several attempts to get down, without being ‘stuck’ ! Eventually I had to decide not to continue , and ‘sad’…but alive I started to re-trace my route , back to the trig point again, looking down the steep East face  and having to be satisfied with distant views –to be done again…perhaps ?

I then had a leisurely gambol back down the gully, which seemed a lot harder going down, than coming up stopping for more food as I broke out into the sunshine, and contemplating having my own mountain to myself, not seeing anybody – although I thought I heard some people, only to discover it was my gaiter strap ‘squeaking’ on my boot ! ..and distant views of what could have been !

I tramped back to Wally,discovered I’d climbed exactly 1,00 mts today ! and returned triumphant to Cairn Shiel in the late afternoon sunshine… looks like another starry night, followed by a good day tomorrow ?

So, that means no rest..another climb before heavy snow moves inI’ll leave you with distant views of Slioch, an early Goodnight to you all !

In the Glens

Although up early, looking out I saw it was misty, snowy, and overcast…so went back to bed, to get up later for a ride instead of a climb… and another read of the papers.. as I watched the snow spluttering down outside

However I couldn’t lie around all day, and changing into my biking gear I set off, down towards Torridon, and then along a Coulin estate http://www.coulin.co.uk/ track along the side of Loch Clare and eventually Loch Coulin. Snow lay along the track, which wended it’s way around the ‘big house’ and up towards the Coulin pass and on for Achnasheen, although I wasn’t going that far (today!)… I had distant views back towards Liatach

Eventually I stopped at an old bridge river crossing looking back down the glen and then perambulated back along the way I’d come, for a short while anyway, then discovered a track through the woods, which was a bike trail of some sort, and took me on a differing route back, through the snowy woodland and back onto the estate roads, with the classical views across Loch Clair and Liatach – which I may be able to climb before I’ve finished here !

Then it was back to Cairn Shiel for another bowl on Minestrone soup, and time to plan for tomorrows day climb…

Oh, and last night’s wait…was it worth it ?… well who in their right mind can resist an invite from Jotown ?- certainly Marten couldn’t, and cowboy time arrived as he scurtled up from the darkness, and spent around 10 minutes eating what had been left for him, checking all posts and branches to ensure he’d got everything – although the last piece he carried away with him, possibly young to feed somewhere ??

So, maybe the same tonight, although I’ll be in bed early , ready for an early start tomorrow …

Watching and Waiting

Although I was up fairly early, it still took some time to get everything together for my first climb of the year – I had decided to climb up the Eastern end of Beinn Eighe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beinn_Eighe which I could see from Cairn Shiel –although dry still, there were lots of black clouds hovering over the mountain tops and upland gales forecast for later, and so I had decided to climb to the first top – Creag Dubh 929 mts high, then decide where else to go ( if I made it !) I slogged my way directly uphill, through the deer fences, and onto the open ground above, where the snow and ice lay on the ground becoming deeper as I got higher. I then had to forge my own trail straight up a snow filled gully, which at times was a little ‘tricky’ but I managed to keep going upwards, coming out onto the side of the ridge, which I was then able to follow upwards, into the gathering gloom, and with snow blowing behind me .. I did see some footsteps in the snow, probably from over the weekend, so at least I was on the correct route !, and I kept going… I knew I was nearing the top, as the wind became really ferocious, pushing me back and around, although \i could see little, as a combination of mist and snow blocked  views… I realised I was at the top, as the ground dropped below, further along the ridge, towards the western tops – I decided that I had done enough, and so put my goggles on, turned around and faced into the wind and snow, as I started to drop back along the ridge

It was pretty cold directly facing into the wind, with my face being blasted, and fingers freezing up, as I rushed down towards what I knew would be warmer… and the visibility improving with every step –typical ! – I even found the correct path, which wasn’t the way I had climbed ! I eventually dropped far enough, to be able to sit down for a drink and sandwich, before plodding my way downwards, with the added dangers of ribbons of ice all over the path (I only fell twice! ) and then sauntered back to9 Cairn Shiel for a nice hot bath, and home made Minestrone soup with Macaroni..what delights

Waiting for me when I returned were a couple of young birds….

I’ve also put lots of jammy pancakes and egg out for the Pine Marten…wonder whether I’ll catch them on film ?

Who knows…in hopeful anticipation…Goodnight !

Lazy Sundays..

Not that I really wanted it to be ! It was a good day for climbing, with intermittent sunshine, and little wind (or snow!)

Mass was at Gairloch in the afternoon, so I was up and about in early morning, riding into Kinlochewe for the Sunday paper, and then rode up to Incheril, having a look at my start point for when I climb Slioch, and looking down on the length of Loch Maree , back to Cairn Shiel and then further up and out the back surveying another climb start point, then lunch, shower and ready for church…

Off I drove all the way to Gairloch, about 20 miles away,finding the community centre just before 2-30 p.m….to find there wasn’t a mass, although there was a service…at 2 p.m. !! I’d missed it, so skulked back to Kinlochewe, managing to get 6 pots of beef spread on my route home …

Then it was reading the paper, listening to football on the radio (nuff said !) and planning my walks and climbs…missing the Pine Marten as I did !

Ah well, ready for an early start tomorrow

Goodnight !

It’s the Weekend !

So, did the Pine Marten appear last night ?

-of course, they knew Jotown was in residence, although I must have frightened them as I drew the curtains to have a look…there one was, mooching about the logs where some food had been placed earlier …and off it scurried into the night, not to be seen again !

and today, being Saturday, I had decided I would just take it easy, and get my bearings again

I had a ride into Kinlochewe, then further down the road to Coille na Glas Leitre Trails car park, where I abandoned my bike and had an easy  walk on   http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Woodlandtrail.shtml up through the old Forest, with views down and along Loch Maree http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Maree  then back to the cottage for an afternoons cooking, eating and…reading !

Not forgetting, my Grandson Lincoln’s Birthday, I did manage to catch him on Skype, between parties, and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him – was he impressed…guess ! Happy Birthday Lincoln

Did the Pine Marten re-appear ?

-who knows I was engrossed in my book, along with ‘Take the Floor’ !! http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0079g5m

Goodnight !