Surprising End to the Winter

I had a bit of a sneaky start to the month, ‘leaving’ Kate’s Lossiemouth  house, full of babies and fun… as I set off to do some climbing further North in Scotland…or did I ?

Actually ‘No !’, I spent a night wild and windy camping (in Wally) in a nearby forest, and then met up with my son Joseph, who had flown from New York to surprise his sister…and newly born nephews ! Then went back to Kate’s, where Joseph did the trick…glad Wayne knew all about it, to catch Kate !! I spent a further night in Lossiemouth, where we ‘wet the babies heads’…then he flew off to London, as I set off up North properly !

After another nights wild camping I arrived at The Rowans http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Northern-Highlands-Cairngorms-National-Park-Craigdarroch/The-Rowans-1901.html a cottage that I’d rented for the week, a brilliant location, which had only just opened up after the winter freeze…As i gazed at the Red Kites flying overhead, and the gently blowing snow…I just knew I’d enjoy it, and I did !

I spent the next week Biking from the cottage, over the hills and down through the forest to Strathpeffer itself, a quaint ‘Spa town’… getting up extra early to see the spectacular sunrises…and the deer that munched their way around the cottage in the dark…to climbing the nearby Ben Wyvis, still holding it’s winter snow mantle, and an exhilarating days climb… all too soon I had finished my week at the Rowans, decided not to rent it for another week, and so set off further up the coast, initially across to the Black Isle for a couple of days, then further North, and to a favoured spot of mine at Goslpie, where I happily stayed wildcamping and biking in the winter sun for a couple of days, and then continued North.. initially up to the famous John o Groats, and re-traced my steps, to go further inland, ready for another days climbing …to climb the highest hill in Caithness…Morven – I had seen this hill from the beach at Lossiemouth, as it stands proud and alone…perfect for me ! Firstly I had to survive a cold and snowy night, out in the wilds..superb, and well rewarded with a great sunrise ! I carried on along the Glen, parking at the end of the road, and chatting to two gamekeepers (who asked to film me !) before I rode several miles along the track, before abandoning my bike, heading across a soggy moor, and climbing to the top of a snowy Morven, and a quick descent as it was a bit chilly !!

I had another few days biking around the Highlands,before returning to Lossiemouth en route home, checking up on the little ones… and returning home… the end of a wonderful winter !