Well, we hope so, as her birthday isn’t until Thursday…
Congratulations mum – and keep up the good work…
Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Friday, 2 April 2010
A Great British Ridge Walk - Number 45 - Ben Mor Coigach
Sue, Anne and Janet (newly arrived last night) came with us to Culnacraig for their low level stroll back to Janet's car at Blughasary. They took longer than we did over their 10 km!
Ben Mor Coigach, at 743 metres, isn't a Munro. Nor is it a Corbett. But it's a fine hill that on all previous visits (four or so) I've ascended via the steep gully from Lochan Tuath. So Bill Birkett's route was a new one for me, and also for Ken whose previous experience of this hill had been via the Speicein Coinnich spur.
From Culnacraig we headed up Garbh Choireachan, the snow line being around 400 metres today. It was steep, leading to a flat-topped, narrow rock crest crowned with little tors and towers of sandstone. Delightful. We skipped along, enjoying every minute, with impressive views over Assynt to the north, and to the Fannaichs and An Teallach and beyond across Loch Broom.
Lunch was taken out of the wind on the 743 metre summit, from where the preceding two postings were snapped and sent. It's a great viewpoint.
The route took us onwards over the deserted hill to the spiky point of Sgurr an Fhidhleir, another fabulous viewpoint. The scenery in these parts compares with anything else I've seen in the world - perhaps I'm biased, or not well travelled, but that's how I rate it.
The walk back down the broad ridge to the car was simple. We were entertained by a couple encountered earlier at our parking spot, who could be seen slowly descending from half way along the Garbh Choireachan ridge. One of them had obviously encountered difficulties, and they hadn't managed to get as far as the main summit where Ken and I had savoured our lunch.
The above image shows Ken near the end of the 10 km, 960 metre ascent, 5.5 hour day, with the ridge behind.
All seven of us then regrouped for a final delicious meal (the larder is now bare), before preparing for tomorrow's long drive home.
There is likely to be a short interlude now, before some better images from this most successful (despite the weather) trip are uploaded.
And so, as they say, it's goodbye from me, and it's goodbye from Ullapool...
...until next time.
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A Nice Little Ridge
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Thursday, 1 April 2010
Thursday 1 April 2010 - A Touch of Spring at Inverewe Gardens
The snow was down to below 200 metres, so the road was slushy for much of the journey. Views through the squally showers were dramatic as we rounded the vast bulk of An Teallach.
Inverewe Gardens opened today. We were amongst the first visitors. The coffee was excellent. Outside, coal tits, bullfinches and others were vying for pole position on their own restaurant.
The gardens were remarkably colourful, with lots of new life sprouting from the ground that is constantly warmed as a result of the gulf stream. Some images will follow. Sadly we were unable to walk along all the paths in the walled garden due to a 'jobsworth' Health & Safety officer having forced closure of certain excellent pathways.
Returning via the Corrieshalloch Gorge we enjoyed impromptu halts at a wartime pier, and when a bird the others thought might be a sea eagle flew over. It was probably a buzzard. Ken's an expert - he confirmed that Neil's grey goose theory was probably correct yesterday.
The gorge, also a National Trust property, harboured dangers far more hazardous than the walled garden, and would surely be closed down if inspected by the same person. We admired it from slippery pathways in a blizzard.
Back at home the sun shone for Janet's arrival from North Kessock, and all eleven of us (Lucy stayed in) enjoyed a good meal at the Arch Inn, just a few doors away.
Today's image is of Slioch, from Inverewe Gardens. The snow-capped mountains were impressive all day.
It's good to hear that Mick and Gayle are managing to bumble their way along a lumpy canal towpath, and that JJ is all set to embark on the Pie Man's big adventure. (Peebles to Moffat to Peebles.) We hope that trip is a great success, and an entertaining read...
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