Therefore, to celebrate this, we are going to update our latest adventures...and look back over the previous year...and what a year it's been.
Working our way backwards.
Last Sunday, we planned to go to Lochearnhead, meet with Cathy and Digger, and get Blazes 10th Munro climbed. We kitted up with crampons and ice axes, which luckily were not needed as there was no snow as such up Ben Vorlich. However, it was colder than an ex wife whom you had cheated upon.....
Some mountains deserve the 4 lettered word...LOVE...however this one was classed as SLOG...and by God it was. It takes an hour on tarmac just to get to the start point...then you look up...it's vertical, having to go from 500 feet to over 3,000 with very few flat bits to allow you to catch breath. Add to this the fact that it's a veritable mud slide...and you get the idea. However.....about 1/4 of the way up, the dam at Loch Sloy comes into full view and you can gaze over to Ben Lomond & the loch.
The dam, from 1,500 feet
...and Loch Lomond
Eventually, we approached the summit...and had an amusing moment, as a walker who was ahead of us looked a tad confused.... It transpired that he had stopped to take some photos...got completely disorientated..and had started coming back down the hill instead of going to the summit... Guess what he wasn't carrying...here's a clue...rearranges these letters Cap and Mompass... Duh.
On the plus side...he then trailed us to the summit, where as his rescuers...he was pressed into photo duties to take our pics at the cairn...
Then, it was hot soup time...or it would have been had I not skimped and bought a cheap flask which could have been marketed as an ice making machine.... Normally, this would not have been a major issue, but with the wind chill factor up there...an Eskimo would have been off and running, seeking a hot bath....it was bitter.
On the plus side...the descent was rather swift...again taking into account of the muddy conditions...ie, at times a lot swifter than planned as we slipped on our butts a few times.
Halfway down...another photo taken...
Still, another Munro now 'bagged'.
We then headed home..and into the pub where there was a birthday cake for Blaze, to go along with the many great cards and presents he had received from his special Twitter friends....
The previous adventure
After a while, we bit the bullet, and got our climbing gear, so we headed along to Elie, to do the Chain Walk...minus the chains, and attempt some free climbing and abseiling. As if this wasn't difficult enough, Blaze also got kitted out with his new climbing harness.....little did he know what lay ahead...
It started off, so well...
We made our way along the beach until the caves that marked the start of the walk...still going well...
At the caves
Then it was time to get down to business.....
The stacks
To say that Blaze was not impressed by this is a vast understatement. However, after the first few climbs, he knew what was coming, and settled down and got used to being hoisted up...then heaved back off the rock face. Then we did some nice easy rocks, which allowed us a few good photo shots...
Even time for a dance....
...and then a run in the fields on the way home...
So....to go back just 10 months...here is a timeline......
A new puppy arrives on the scene...
..and soon settles in...
...but he sleeps a lot...
.....but gets lots of cuddles....
Getting fluffy...but those floppy ears???
..and at last..the ears start sorting themselves out...
1st day with the rucksack.
Starting to be introduced to the pub...
...and the hills....
...and the beach...
...and the snow....
...learned to jump...
...build Hobbit houses...
..and canoe...
..and we could go on forever.
Anyway...phew what a year.... what could make it better? Not much except perhaps Celtic winning the Champions League.... :-)
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