Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Friday 22 January 2010

Leaking Skies over Timperley

The Bridgewater Canal in Timperley - 21 January 2010

Here’s the canal today.  Still frozen, but grotty.  There’s even a palette on it in the distance.  The ice is remarkably thick, but generally not quite strong enough to stand on.

It’s raining, cold, and fairly miserable here in Timperley.

Especially as Sue has gone…

…to Egypt.  She says it’s warm there.

Sue has escaped

There’s only one thing for it…

Tuesday 19 January 2010

TGO Challenge 2010 – A Route is Born

Ice crystals on the Bridgewater Canal - near Timperley - 7 January 2010
Late last night I finally pressed the ‘send’ button, delivering my route across Scotland in the last two weeks of May to be vetted.

It’s a low level route – 320 km (200 miles) with about 8600 metres of ascent and absolutely no summits.  There are numerous opportunities for ‘refreshments’.

Just in case my feet are ‘itchy’ around that time, I’ve provided my vetter with some ‘FWAs’ – Fine Weather Alternatives.  In the unlikely event of having the weather and the energy, these alternatives involve an additional 8600 metres ascent, and bring my Munro count for the journey to …

…zero!

So, for double the ascent and an extra 30 km (19 miles), I can still contrive to stay below the 3000 ft snowline.  So no crampons will be needed?

I do hope to get up a few minor summits, though.

Here’s the route:

Lochailort > Glenfinnan > Corran > Corrour > Killicrankie > Glenshee > Clova > Tarfside > North Water Bridge > a sand dune near Montrose.

It’s rumoured that the Corran ferry won’t be running, so a completely new route may be necessary!

I don’t expect to see anything like the above ice crystals, now a distant memory, as the Bridgewater Canal, whilst still having a covering of ice, is now defaced by a rather unsightly layer of debris.