Walking in a winter wonderland

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Got my feet in snow for the first time this winter season.
As you can see by the pic, all the girls beat the guys to the summit, until I arrived and did the David Bailey duties.
We came across a guy at the top who had carried a 30ft antenna all the way up there to send morse code messages to his chums. My offer of a loan of my mobile phone was met with suitable scorn.

Ah well, some folks think we are just as crazy.
Then it was off for the club 'high tea' and lots of strawberry tarts before heading home for hot bath and early bed.

Shoot the weather girl (part 2)

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I can't believe the bbc got it so wrong again.
So much for clearing up and sunshine.
We had sleet and torrential rain in Glencoe and a foot of snow at 2 1/2 thousand feet.
The A82 was flooded, but luckily traffic was light.

The Willows, Abersoch, Wales

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We would like to extend a warm welcome to Anna and Miles, owners of The Willows in Abersoch.

Their site has  received the prestigious award of  'Best Place to Stay in Wales' (Caravan & Camping) 2010. 

Follow this link to their website.  http://www.the-willows-abersoch.co.uk/index.htm

Gary gets to go up North

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I was in the huff as Gary got to go up to Kinlochleven with the latest batch of mini-hobbits last Friday, but changed my mind as soon as I saw the weather forecast. Torrential rain.  Luckily, the weather for me over the weekend was fine and I managed to visit 'The Bunnet Stane' on the Northern slopes of the West Lomonds.

However, I may make it up to Glencoe this weekend coming and have a go at the few of the Mamores before the onset of the snows. Luckily, I'm all kitted up now as my crampons came, so I'm ready for the ice.

Tip for the day, don't try out your crampons on laminate flooring as the gouging marks are nigh impossible to disguise, and don't allow your cat to dance around your feet as the risk of perforations in the tail are high.

Mini Hobbits at Kinlochleven

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The first 2 of 4 Minihobbits have now been sited at Blackwater Hostel in Kinlochleven.
These mini versions of their bigger brothers are perfect for single walkers or couples, and with being bang on the West Highland Way, were occupied within 2 hours of delivery. They are set to become a very popular addition to the microlodge range.

Shoot the weather girl

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Quote...It will clear up by 10 in the morning.
Fact...Ryder cup goes to a Monday for the first time due to torrential rain.

With implicit faith in the BBC, I set off at the back of 7 in the morning with a view to tackle Ben Lomond.
This as it turns out was a leap of faith too far, and had my kit consisted not of sturdy boots and walking poles, but a snorkel and fins, I may have had a fair to good chance of doing the walk. Oh...bat-like radar would also have come in useful as I couldn't see a thing.
As it happens, discretion being the better part of valour, I turned tail after a thousand or so feet, soaked through, and went home to the pub.

Hey-Ho...It'll still be there next time.

                                                  

Mini Hobbits

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The first of the new Mini-Hobbits are now in production with an immediate order for 4 units to go to Kinlochleven asap.
The smaller versions are perfect for single walkers and couples, and fitted with a choice of either a double bunk, or 2 single bunks.
They still have the TV, fridge and microwave capabilities like their big brothers though.
All in all, another good excuse for me to do a few more hills in the beautiful Glencoe area when the first 2 are sent for delivery.
Another added bonus is that I managed to get a gig at the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven, so the guitar will get an outing as well.
Yesterday was spent visiting the Cateran Trail from Blairgowrie to Glenshee looking at possible Hobbit locations, so a good day for me.  Gary had the drive North and back to Glencoe, so I think I had the better of the days yesterday.