Another Damp Squib…

Well, there was I with all my stargazing equipment ready ( Thanks Kate and Wayne, for my new telescope), I was in the perfect location, miles from anywhere at Bruce’s Stone car park, near Glentrool http://www.thebuchanglentrool.co.uk/history.html (more stories of whinging Scots !), and it was so black, I literally couldn’t see my hand in front of my face…neither could I see any stars !

All night, I was looking out of Wallys windows,trying to see if the clouds had lifted…no chance, eventually the rain arrived, and that was it !

So, up very early, and off home, tracking through a wet Dumfries and Galloway, towards that great Country – England ! … and as I passed the border – the sun came out, and shone on me all the way home ! (via Sainsbury’s !)..seems like a different world…

So now, unpacking, opening my mail, and Birthday cards and presents – thanks everyone !

I’ve travelled 2,752 miles on my Scottish ‘leg’, with the additional 984 miles on my combined Devon/Swindon/Wales trip immediately before giving a total of 3,736 miles on my Autumn trip…Wow !

Hope you enjoyed it.will this be the end of travel for 2011…??

Thanks for your company and comments everyone, all 3,150 of you !(still counting)….so, how long will the hair and facial growth last..??

Having Fun

Jotown

Clear Skies Tonight ???

I awoke to another day of rain, and decided to chance my arm, and head over to Dumfries and Galloway, the European ‘Sky Park’ http://www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway, with a hope that clear skies may give me a view of the skies, before the weekends rain heads in again…

and so, I’ll then head home..for a hot bath…and shave /haircut?… perhaps, what do you think ??

Shivering Above the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond…

After a very Brhhhhh cold night, I was awake early looking out onto Loch Lomond, with clear skies, red skies, and the prospect of it being pleasant, at least for a couple of hours, as the forecast said rain later…. where have I heard that before ?… so, butties made, Wally packed for the road, and I was off, only 5 miles along the Loch, to a big car park,where someone was waiting for me ?

No grub though, and off she flew !

Then I was away, and working out the correct route from the car par, initially going the wrong way through the forest, quickly backtracking, and starting again, this time in the right direction… The views across the still waters of Loch Lomond, were great…calm before the storm ?

Up I went catching up to a young couple, who would overtake me again and again,then stop for a rest – tortoise and hares ?  It was a good track, and I was making good progress out of the forest, onto the open hills, and further up towards the tops,however, the mist dropped, and wind picked up, quickly followed by that dreaded rain !- this being one of my last views of the valley…

All the way up to the top of Ben Lomond http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Lomond, which apparently has great views over  Loch Lomond, and all surrounding mountains – I’d even brought my binoculars…no use !

As I got to the last few hundred metres I was into deepish snow from yesterday, which had frozen overnight, and was quite hazardous..onwards I went, looking for the trig point on the top – although it’s a very busy mountain, only about 6 people came down before I arrived at the top,974 mts,all climbed, in a thick mist,driving rain, and stupendous views… as you can see !

I only stopped for a couple of minutes, to take a few pictures, and before I got cold,set off down again …

Oh, and the young couple ??—way behind me ,still struggling up !,well a few hundred feet !Then it was downhill all the way, into driving rain and mist, made easier saying ‘Hello’ to all the people still struggling up the hill

Within a couple of hours I was back at Wally in the car park, soaked to the skin, with fleeting views of the mist lifting on the top , and back to the rainy and damp campsite… where I was slightly extravagant and put ‘two bars’ on the  fire !!

So, a hot and humid Jotown wishes you good night ! before I settle down to a glass,or two of Red wine and hot food !

Sunshine and (Snow) Showers …

The wind had reduced in the night, and I got up to some nice clear skies, and the prospect of a bright day.

Where i was staying ‘Achnabreck’ Forest, contained some ancient Rock carvings http://www.skipnesshttp://www.welcometoscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/historic-attractions/argyll-bute/achnabreck-prehistoric-rock-carvings-hs , which I was anxious to view, so not having decided what/where to go to, I decided to set off for a look whilst I decided.

I was soon at the first rock carvings, from at least 5,000 years ago, called ‘cup and saucer’ marks, although actually normally concentric circles, done,believed at differing times, but for what significance ?

Then it was further uphill, to view more of them,  and look down on Lochgilphead below.

I then returned to Wally, surprising a forest ‘resident’ with snow forecast for the higher roads, I decided to move across to  Central Scotland, and was soon rewarded woth lovely blue skies, and views I’d never seen before as I travelled through the Arrochar Alpshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrochar_Alps

 So, off I travelled along the A83, in great sunshine, although ‘threats’ of what was to come as there were lots of Gritters on the roads, and then along the side of Loch Lomond http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/ , and around to the East side of it, for views of tomorrows climb Ben Lomond…with snow already on the top, and me raring to go …

I decided to stay at the Camping and Caravan Club site at Mullrochy Bay, and parked Wally alongside the Loch, looking out onto the water, for an easy afternoon, in the sunshine,although quite cool.. 

Rainbows Over the ‘Mull of Kintyre’

After a fairly stormy night, I awoke to an overcast,but dry day, and decided that I would continue my travels down the peninsula….all the way to the bottom – where I would have to turn around,and come back !

So, and early start was called for, and I was away before 9 a.m. firstly having a brief stop in Lochgilphead (toilets!) and then on the road south on the A83, driving along the side,initially of Loch Gilp, then switching to the opposite coast, at Tarbert and going down the Sound of Jura, with views out onto Jura, the waves were crashing onto the coast,alongside the road

I was by now, on the headland of Kintyre ,heading for the bottom, and soon arriving at Campbeltown http://campbeltown.org.uk/ ,where I stopped for a short look around, fortunately having just missed a heavy hail shower, the remains lying white on the footpaths..I popped into the Tourist Information, and then I was back on the road,for the rather aptly named village of ‘Southend’, although I did take the ‘adventurous’ route there, passing the large rock of Ailsa Craig,around the Ministry of Defence fuel terminals, and over the twisting and winding singletrack road over the tops, and eventually into Southend, a windy and desolate place, I didn’t stop, but continued South for my ultimate destination – that famous piece of sea, ‘The Mull of Kintyre’ http://campbeltown.org.uk/, made famous by Sir Paul McCartney’s song(go on, you can sing it if you want!), and his and late wife Linda’s farm,on the headland.

Initially I stopped at  High Keil, where  St Columba first set foot in Scotland (536 AD)http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/southend/footprintscaves/index.html , and there is a carving of St Columba’s footprints, where he reputedly  ‘looked back to Ireland’…before he continued to Iona…alongside Keil Caves,  where people have been known to inhabit since at least 2500 BC..  they certainly gave me shelter whilst a downpour travelled passed !

I then continued up,around and over the headland, along a desperate 8 miles of tortuous singletrack, and to the end of the road, where I parked above the Lighthouse at the Mull of Kintyre, and then walked down the steeply descending twisting road, to the lighthouse, with views across the water, towards Ireland – I could see the Antrim Coast and Rathlin Island (it said so in the book !), with,as usual a Rainbow to accompany me…

The views were very impressive,with,for once the skies clearing, and I didn’t get too wet..and then puffed my way back up the hill to Wally,just missing a heavy downpour for my return trip.

I returned to Campeltown by the ‘normal road, and then set off along the eastern coast of the peninsula, along another single track road, for Carradale,looking across water to the Isle of Arran, again being accompanied by several startling Rainbows,at one time seeing two different ones at the same time,although I couldn’t catch it on camera..

I then arrived at Skipness Castle http://www.skipness.info/,an old fortified house looking out onto the Sound of Bute ,and the end of my days sightseeing…phew ! 

So, where to sleep (raining again!), back to last nights stop,knowing where to go, and a quick meal and early night, with the wind rocking me and Wally to sleep , Goodnight !

Following My Nose…South

Late Monday morning I headed out of a wet and windy Fort William, for my continuing trip down the West Coast of Scotland, firstly down through Ballachulish, with a quick trip up and down the valley of Glencoe, but torrential rain reminded me how wet it can be, and denied me any reasonable views…

I then returned to Ballachulish, and travelled South on the A828, diverting to Port Appin http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/appin/portappin/ ,with views over the Bay of Loch Linne,and lots of different small islands.

I continued on the main road,travelling through the port of Oban,firstly going over the old iron work bridge and into the town, and out to Ganavan Bayhttp://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/Ganavan , where I sat for some time,watching the sea, and hoping the rain would stop - it did,occasionally !

I then continued down and along  the coast ,not sure where I would be ending up, just ‘following my nose’

As I travelled along I saw signs for Kilmartin Church and Stoneshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilmartin_Stones , so stopped to see what was there..It’s an old church,from at least the 1300’s with gravestones dating back to that time, and many since – the gravestones, or slabs were particularly finely carved pieces of rock, many showing knights in armour, or sword, and probably originate back to a school of Irish masons,settled in Iona.  

 

 

 

 

A very interesting find…with information that this particular area was full of ancient archaeological sites,dotted around…more to come !

I then continued to Lochgilphead,where just outside the town there was a Forest,http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ourwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandArgyllandButeKilmichaelForestKilmichaelForestAchnabreacAchnabreaccupandringmarkedrocks with a bike trail,which I thought may be suitable for a night stop….and it was, settling down, just before dark…and more rain…

Happy Birthday…

Susan (my beloved wife,and best friend)would have been 54 years old today, this is the memorial card I always have at the front of ‘Wally’ (named after her)  reminding me of her happy smile,guiding me on my way

I celebrated by going to Mass in Fort William, whilst Mass was also said for her at home (Thanks Fr John ) –strangely enough her power still works-they had to move the mass from Marple Bridge to New Mills as they were decorating …she loved New Mills Church..!

Now I’m travelling with those happy memories

Hope you also remember and smile….

’Jotown’

Rainbows and Reading….

I had woken up in Creag Meagaidh to the sounds of cars of walkers disgorging their occupants, ready for a day on the hills. I looked out, hoping for a good day, as I had planned to do two further Munro’s lower down the valley, alas the black skies had returned, and almost as I looked the rain came. Ah well, perhaps by the time I’m ready to set off myself it would have cleared? so I had breakfast,washed up, and set off for the village of Rougburn – having left a Thank You note in the visitors book at the Reserve Office, really welcoming and nice people – and I’ll return !

As I got to Roughburn it was raining,although not heavily, so I decided to wait a short time reading, whilst the weather made it’s mind up….and it did ! The sky turned very black, and rain started hammering down, and didn’t look like it was going to stop – and it didn’t !

The sun did break out momentarily,as I heard that Wales had been knocked out of the Rugby World Cup, losing to France…what a shame !!

I carried on towards Fort William, going through the usual routine of Rainbows ahead ,and heavy rain, so went to an Internet ‘hot spot’ where I was able to have chats with some of the children, finding out that one of my Grandchildren ‘ had been wanting to show me his ‘Tattoo’s’ !! – what do you think, at his  age ? – although soap and water should soon do the ‘trick’ !

Then after getting some food it was back to the Glen Nevis Campsite for a good wash, reading and finishing a great book - ‘Nine O'clock in the Morning’ by Dennis J.Bennett – a great inspirational and thought provoking book, which meant a lot to me - Read it and see !

Then it was food,drink,’Take the Floor’ and ‘Pipeline’ by candlelight before an early night, being buffeted by the wind..

 

 

Fresh faced on Sunday morning I had ‘booked’ a dry walk to Church, and nearly succeeded…walking into Fort William underneath a Rainbow arch, in my own seeming bubble of dry sky….then got soaked just before arriving at St Mary’s, but I was happy by then,so water didn’t matter ! The church bells were ringing out a Hymn to Our Lady, it being October, and really brightening up the day. It was enhanced by the priests sermon talking of some difficulties with legislation going through the Scottish Parliament, comparing the reading of ‘Giving to Caesar what is Caesars(even if Caesar is wearing a kilt!)…and to God what is God’s ‘, excellent.

A quick wander round Fort William, and a non descript lunch of steak pie,and fat chips ,and dash back to Wally for the afternoon papers, more washing (it’s very handy here), and out to the Restaurant next door for my Sunday evening meal..before moving on again tomorrow – the weather forecast is for gales,snow and heavy rain, getting colder…so who knows where I’ll end up ?

I’ll let you know when I get there!!

Hurry Up….and Stop !

Having a lazy start to the day -  as you may expect, I spent the morning sorting some of my gear out,changing gas bottles- fortuitously running out on a dry day ,chatting to Rory the Reserve manager, reading and generally taking it easy, I decided to go for a short ramble around the lower fields to see what could be seen.

The view from my ‘bedroom’  early morning was quite pleasant, although,once again the mist was lying on the mountain tops.

As I wandered along I saw four stones,carved and ‘planted’ some years ago – with a lovely thought…

  

A great reminder of the skies above… I also saw Golden Eagles, Buzzards, Falcons, and loads of smaller birds, a great pleasure to wander around,sit on rocks and just do….nothing (and drink it in ) !

Then it was back to Wally for lunch…and finish my book, before the early evening rain came, although blue skies have now popped up !

So, what to do, where to go next ……..??

A ‘Hatrick’ of Munro’s ‘Bagged’

I had set the alarm for 6 –30 a.m., and early start, but I knew I had plans for a big day ahead of me. It was still pretty dark, and so I snoozed for a short time, getting up at 7 a.m. to greet the day, and face whatever challenges would be offered to me (and there would be plenty !)

My first being to finish breakfast, pack all my gear, and get going !

There were three ‘Munro’s’ in the vicinity to climb, http://www.munromagic.com/MountainInfo.cfm/30 and as I set off, looking at the mist covered mountains in front of me I was undecided as to whether I would climb all three today, or separate them into 2 different expeditions, which was fairly easy to do.

I had firstly to find a faint trail leading up off the main track, to my first objective of the day Na Cnapanan,623 mts, although I had decided that if I couldn’t trace this, I could always choose an alternative route, and attack it from a different direction. However, my unerring sense of direction, and navigational ability (which you’ll hear plenty of today!), found me locating a small ‘cairn’-pile of stones, indicating the track, and I then had to set off up the hillside,into the mist, which would accompany me for most of the day ! I managed to locate the top of Cnapanan, and onwards and up, tracking by compass bearing (and ability!) to the top of my first ‘Munro’ of the day – Carn Liath, 1006 mts . By this time the mist had really dropped, and the wind was getting quite fierce, but pleased that I could still find my way (the muddy track beneath my feet helped !).

I then changed into heavier weight clothing and continued along across a broad, mossy ridge, dropping down a col, back up to my third ‘top’ of the day Meall an t-Snaim,969 mts, with occasional glimpses into the valley below . Continuing along a narrower ridge to Coire a Chriochairein,991 mts – I was going great guns, enjoying the challenge, and becoming more confident in my navigational ability.

I stayed on the ridge, carrying on towards my second ‘Munro’ of the day Stob Poite Coire Adair,1053 mts high !,passing some snow on the side just before I got there, phew , it was good to get there, and only just after 12 noon, I had the rest of the afternoon to do as I wished !

As I was on this top, the heavens opened for a couple of minutes (being looked after again !) and I was able to see to the valley floor below, and across to the main summit Creag Meagidh if I chose to do it today ?)

     

 

 

 

The mist soon rolled back in, however I continued, and navigated my way to a ‘gap’ (Col) between the mountains, which i dropped several hundred metres down to, known as ‘The Window’… so, it was decision time, should I continue and do the whole range in a day, or should I wander back down to ‘Wally’ and return tomorrow,or another day to complete the full traverse – what would you expect me to do ? Yes, I continued! –full of unerring belief in my navigational ability( which I would regret!) and,not wanting to have to climb back up 700 mts (2200 + feet ), to re-start the route.

So, I continued down and across the ‘window’, having a brief sojourn beneath the clouds, then on and up, back into the clods again, as I followed the trail up to the summit plateau at 1090 mts. I continued along the tops of the cliffs, looking down into the chasms below, thinking I was on the right trail…then navigating into the mist, expecting to find the summit in front of me, and rising from the plateau – wrong ! Although I could get up to a height 10 mts below summit level (trusty Altimeter), I couldn’t find or see anything like a summit, and it’s two cairns shown on the map. Ooops, after some time of trying again and again to locate the correct point, I knew I had to try to return to somewhere I knew exactly where I was, or face being lost on the plateau !- once again my excellent navigational ability (!) got me back to the cliffs I had been peering down earlier, and I was then able to return to my start point on the plateau, at the top of ‘The Window’…Now, what to do, go back to ‘Wally’ and lick my wounds to return- NO , Never ! I just had to re-read my directions, and follow them correctly, as I should have done, rather than peering down chasms in cliffs, and quickly realised I had started in the wrong direction completely, so would never have been able to find the top – unless of course, it hadn’t been covered in thick mist ! 

I laughed as I went along the correct direction, suddenly finding the first cairn looming out of the clag, wondering how I could have missed it, then 15 minutes later (and an hour since first going wrong) I was at my final top, and Munro of the day Creag Meagaidh ,1130 mts high !

All I had to do now was find my way back off the plateau, down to the window, down to the valley floor….and walk 3 miles back – well there was an alternative route, but,decided not to chance it again !

As I descended into the valley I came out of the clouds  above the herds of deer,so was able to see what was ‘going on’ at close quarters (I had taken my binoculars ) – it was funny to watch, but not for this publication !!

I continued down , eventually arriving at Wally 10 hours after I’d left ,having climbed (and descended ) 1490 mts, and,even for me….pretty tired, but a good day…and most of all……Survived !!, Goodnight, I’ll sleep well….