Day 67 - AC/DC

Latest news from the ground is that Brenda, Gormanator, & crew, safely made it to the salubrious environs of Glasgow’s Hampden Park tonight to enjoy a few easy hours listening to some ‘Classical’ music. This will defo let them cut some steam from the trials & tribulations of big record setting, before, (and all things being well), they are back on the case tomorrow in the far NW for the last few days and hills. If Manny is doing Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh on the Friday morning, then that should mean an afternoon ascent of Loyal, hence giving us southern Sassenachs a chance to get up there in time, but no doubt Man & Bren will be able to tighten down on times in the next few days, depending on how the boy wonder is doing himself. Let us know?
Anyway, safe drive back up the road – you really do know how to live on ‘The Razors Edge’…

Friday 3rd July 2009 - Ben Loyal

It looks like at the present time with only 13 Corbetts left to do that Friday 3rd July 2009 will be the last one, Ben Loyal for those that can make it.

Day 65 - Black Bridge to Glencalvie

After a mad dash from the Arrochar Alps race to Ullapool in time for last orders on Saturday night, myself and Andy had a bit of a slow start on Sunday, giving Manny a head start on the way from Black Bridge to Beinn a'Chaisteil. Manny, Brenda, Pete, Elsie, Dave, Geoff, and Ali had mountain bikes, so it was a tough shift to do a 5-mile run to catch them. Seeing figures high on the hill, we dumped our bags and raced upwards, in time to catch Manny just coming down from the summit. Unfortunately, a logistical cock-up meant we didn't have Manny's fave fell shoes to replace the trainers he uses mostly for biking. The fell shoes were thereafter referred to loudly as "my ----ing shoes!!!". Oops. Anyway, on to the summit and back down with Brenda and Ali, while Manny made the most of the sun to ride on to Carn Ban with Dave, Pete, Elsie and Geoff.

After the long run back out, I just had enough time for the 90-min drive to Glencalvie, where the infamous shoes were successfully transported up the glen for Manny. By this time Cat Miller had made an unexpected but very welcome appearance, and when Manny and Geoff arrived by bike after doing Carn Ban (the others went back to Black Bridge), we set off at a cracking pace towards the summit of Carn Chuinneag. Manny was powering along, running even some uphills, and after a short summit stop, the gang of 5 headed back to the glen, another Corbett done in 75 mins.

Don't know if Manny cycled north afterwards, but I'm sure Brenda will provide details when she gets the chance. Today was yet another illustration of how busy she is and what a great job she does in keeping Manny on the road.

202 Corbetts done, 17 to go...

Quick update before heading away into Strathconnon

Please check the updated schedule on the front page of the blog, it is getting updated regularly.

If anyone fancies a bit of biking on Sunday then Manny will be leaving at 8.30am from blackbridge, on the Ullapool road, if any of you Carrbridge bikers want to join us. A couple of hills also which can be done, although you will need to sort out your travel arrangements.

It also looks live the last Corbett, Ben Loyal will be Friday 3rd July 2009.

Day 61 – Glen Leitire Nature Trails – Ardessie

Manny started at 7.45am this morning for a 22 mile cycle to Poolewe, more food & drink. David headed off just in front of him and I jogged in just past Kernsary for 4 miles to pick up the mountain bike that Manny was cycling in with and had an enjoyable cycle back. Another stunning day for 6 hills which they off doing at the moment. A grand total of 26 miles today. Poor David was carrying all the food day, they away with a dozen rolls, pork pies, cakes, biscuits etc… but I am sure with Manny being around they will all be demolished by the end of the day. I had a lovely afternoon in Gairloch, had a walk around the harbour, and got to laundry facilities done, which were well overdue. At present I am overlooking Little Loch Broom having an ice cream. I don’t expect them back until late. I think the road bike east to Loch a’Bhraoin will be added to tomorrow.

Day 60 – Lochan an Lasgair – Glas Leitire Nature Trails

David Riach joined us at 8am this morning after his cycle from Kinlochewe Hotel. They headed away for a short cycle to Coire Mhic Nobail car park, Upper Loch Torridon where Scott Kennedy was already there to start. Another big day, 3 hills ahead, the sun was out so all 3 headed away for Beinn Dearg, Baosbheinn & Beinn an Eoin. All 3 returned back to the car park at 5pm to be met by Charlie, his folks and the van. I had an enjoyable day today, went into Lochcarron for a couple of hours and spent the day getting a bit of sun. Quick turnaround, food & drink and Manny & David set off to Glas Leitire Nature Trails. David cycled to Poolewe while Manny headed off for his final 2 hills for the day, Ruadh-stac Beag & Meall a’Ghiubhais at 7pm. Charlie & I headed off to meet him on his 2nd hill at Meall a’Ghiubhais. It was a stunning evening, lovely views from the top, and came of the hill at 11pm.

Day 59 - Bealach na Ba - Lochan an Lasgair

Monday, 22nd June
Manny & I headed off out into the rain again, very poor visability to do Beinn Bhan & Sgurr a'Chaorachain. The 1st hill was nice and easy but it seemed a long way to Sgurr a'Chaorachain, it rained and rained and the map & compass came out a lot. 4½ hours later we were back at the van trying to dry out, food & drink and then Manny headed off for his 30 mile cycle to Lochan an Lasgair car park for Sgurr Dubh & Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine which is where he is at the moment, I am expecting him shortly. Surprise surprise it is still raining. I headed off into Kinlochewe to get gas and water. While I was there I met Charlie & his folks they are up to join as for a couple of days and David Riach turned up on his bike, he had cycled from Inverness. He was booked into the Kinlochewe Hotel for the night and is joining us for the next couple of days along with Scott Kennedy. Manny will do Beinn Dearg tomorrow to catch up on the hill he missed today, hopefully along with the other 4 scheduled. The weather is meant to be improving from Wednesday, so here’s hoping

Day 58 - Craig to Bealach na Ba

Sunday, 21st June
Dave & Manny headed away for an epic 17 miles, 3 hills - Fuar Tholl, An Ruadh Stac & Beinn Damh. The estimated time I was given was between 5-6 hours, and by 6pm they were still not back, eventually 7pm they arrived back to the van, nearly 9 hours later..... Dave was meant to back in Edinburgh by 9pm, so that was never going to happen and Manny still had 2 hills to do, which also never happened. He cycled from Kinloch Damph to the Viewpoint on Bealach na Ba road so that he could start there in the morning. Well that was a very long and interesting 5 miles in the campervan never mind the road bike, it was raining, no visability and all I kept on praying was not to meet any cars as I was going nowhere. Anyway I survived and Manny was not long behind me. Poor Douglas from our Wednesday night biking crew turned up to do the last 2 hills with Manny, but as he ended up not doing them he ended up going home, after having a going up part of Beinn Damh looking for them and had no luck and turned back in case he had missed them. He will just need to join us again before the end.

Day 57 - Strath Croe - Killilan Forest - Craig

Passed Manny as he cycled along the road from Strath Croe to Killilan this morning, and met up with Brenda at the Killilan car park. After the usual excellent hospitality from Brenda (she's a star!) Manny then biked the extra mile from the public car park to Killilan to start the climb, while Dot the Doughnut Lady collected the bike.

Manny's hill crew for today consisted of me, fellow Westie Andy Mott, and Andy's girlfriend Maria, who had all made the long journey north on Friday night for a big day out on the hills of the Killilan Forest on Saturday. First summit of the day was Sguman Coinntich, tackled via a steep climb from the Allt a'Choire Mhoir. Although Manny isn't as quick after his injury a couple of weeks ago, we did still manage a good jog across to Faochaig, with the weather still undecided on the cloud vs sun debate.

Andy and Maria dropped back at Faochaig, tackling it at a gentler pace before heading back down into Glen Elchaig. Manny and I descended via a stalker's path to consider an approach to Aonach Buidhe, again deciding on a steep and direct line. 3 large deer kept a watchful eye on us as we headed for the summit in conditions which were now pleasantly sunny (this cheered Manny up!). As my car was back at Killilan, we said our farewells and I headed down to Iron Lodge for the 8 mile jog back along Glen Elchaig, collecting Andy and Maria on the way to completing a 23-mile 3-Corbett day, which was nothing compared to Manny's efforts!

Manny went north to do Beinn Dronaig, Beinn Tharsuinn, and Sgurr na Feartaig before getting the MTB off the hill (brought in by Brenda), and finishing his 26-mile hill journey at around 10pm.

So that's another 6 hills completed for Manny, who is still grinding through the list at a relentless pace (leaving me wheezing behind him), despite injury slowing him down. Well over 75% complete now and fewer than 50 hills to go.

I'm just back in after the 4-hour drive home. Been a long day, folks. G'night.

Day 56 – Bunloinn Forest – Strath Croe

Up early this morning another windy day but it was not raining to start with. He must only have been away 5 mins and then the rain started. He headed away to do Meall Dubh and Jim went to meet him for the last couple of miles with the mountain bike. Back at the van for Bacon & egg rolls before heading away for his 20 miles. He was taking his bike in for 5 miles up River Doe towards his 1st hill and Jim was collecting it and then taking it around to the forest for Manny to collect for the last 3 miles after his 3rd hill tonight. Thanks to Jim for all his bike duties, as I would have struggled today getting the bike over the deer gates. The plan for today is Aonach Shasuinn, Carn a’Choire Ghairbh & Sgurr Gaoraic and I am meeting him at the Strath Croe Cemetery car park some point this evening. He is away with his head torch so I am guessing it’s going to be another late one today and not to start panicking and calling mountain rescue. Dot and I headed into Broadford to get some shopping and managed to get some washing done. It was nice and sunny that direction, then it started to rain as we headed back to Shiel Bridge.

Day 55 – Shiel Bridge to Bunloinn Forest

Quick 3 mile road bike from Shiel Bridge to Strath Croe then he headed up Sgurr An Airgid while the rain was hammering down as he was hesitating to get out as Dot & I were downloading the GPS he thought it would be more interesting to stay and see the routes that he has taken rather than go and do the hill, eventually kicked him out as Jim had taken his mountain bike a good bit up the track which looked rather entertaining for coming down. He was back to the van and Peter Bennett from Aviemore had joined us for the day. He had quick bite to eat, drink and then had a 15 mile road cycle to just back the Cluanie Inn while, Dot, Peter, Manny & myself headed up Am Bathach. Back to the van more food, drink and then Manny set of on his mountain bike to do Beinn Loinne. Peter headed out on his bike with him for the 4 mile cycle out to the high point on the track and back while Jim was already away in to collect Manny’s bike. Jim had already dropped my bike off for Manny to collect at the other of this track as this saved him 3 miles. He arrived at the van at 7pm absolutely frozen, knackered and there was no way he was going to do Meall Dubh this evening, instead shower something to eat at the Clunie Inn and early to bed as he knew he would have a even bigger day now. He even thought that he might just manage the 1 hill and have to leave the other 3 until Saturday. Iced his leg and the usual drugs.

Day 54 - Kinloch Hourn to Shiel Bridge

Just quick update - Buidhe Bheinn & Sgur a Bhac Chaolais, Beinn nan Caorach, Beinn na h-Eagaise & Sgurr Mhic Bharraich were all done on Wednesday. I had a visit to a friend's sister in law in Shiel Bridge where I was able to fill up with water and have a couple of cups of tea while I waited for Dot to arrive. Thanks Alison for the contact and Fiona for the cups of tea. I met Dot at Shiel bridge and we drove around to meet Manny at Suardalan Bothy, the timings were perfect we were just heading to meet him and there he was jogging towards the Bothy. I think he was surprised to see us as he was not expecting us. I ended up doing the last hill with him Sgurr Mhic Bharriach as it was nice and sunny but within 20 mins, we were drenched and by the top it was hailstones. We were down the back of 9pm, quick shower and mad dash to the Kintail pub for tea and a pint. Jim Hall from Newtonmore joined us tonight for a couple of days.

Almost Midsummer

Well another Friday and so the end of week eight beckons. Spoke to the Gormanator last night and he is sounding fooked, both mentally and physically. He seems to have got in and out of Knoydart unscathed, despite some big hill days, but the return to pishy weather is kicking off the mind games – there is nothing worse than when you are already jiggered, to look out the window at the heaving rain and know you’ve got to drag yir weary soul out into the storm.
When they get the time, and a pc connection, Manny and Brenda will no doubt fill in the details, but it’s that old chestnut of being so near yet so far, that seems to be rearing it’s ugly head – all the hard groundwork has been done over the last two months, and now it’s credit crunch time for the last two weeks. Needless to say, but if anyone has any spare moments over the coming fortnight, then I’m sure the pair of them will be glad of any company, whither on the hill or just bringing a brew & scone.
Keep at it Manny – when the going gets tough, the tough…

Day 53 - Knoydart to Kinloch Hourn

Another 3 hills done - Beinn na Caillich, Sgurr Coire Choinnichean & Sgurr nan Eugallt. Another stunning day. I set off from Kingussie around midday to give enough time to drive down to Kinloch Hourn. It was a nice drive around to meet Manny, although I was not at the exact location..... I had stopped about a mile too early, I had thought I was in the right spot, so as you can guess I was not too popular when he came off the hill..... I think he had visions that I had gone off the road or pranged the van, but once I served him with steak pie & beer it was fine and he came out of his strop. Ken & Claire from Lochaber met with Davy in Fort William to hand over the bike and his belongings before they headed up to meet me at Kinloch Hourn. Thanks to Davy, Ken & Claire for helping out over the last couple of days. It was a very windy night and he was not looking forward to another long day.

Day 52 - Sourlies Bothy to Knoydart

Manny left the Bothy early on Monday morning and headed to do Ben Aden, Sgurr a'Choire-bheithe & Beinn Bhuidhe. He had a lovely day and the weather was lovely. I received a call about 8.30 that evening letting me know that he had arrived in Knoydart and all was well. He was in The Old Forge having a pint or 2 before heading to The Old Byre Lodge Bunkhouse where he met up with Davy Duncan who had arrived at Inverie this morning to take his bike up a good track to save his poor legs.... They then headed back to The Old Forge for food & drink, although the food was not up to his usual standards.... I did not tell him until last night but the bunkhouse was £30pppn, he just about had a heart attack.....

Intermission

We apologise for this interuption due to technical problems with our Knoydart Transmitter. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
In the meantime we bring you a short Public Information Film:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/films/1964to1979/filmpage_swim.htm

Day 51 - Glen Dessary to Sourlies Bothy

More photos from Day 51...
Chris, Ellie & Manny all headed off for Sgurr an Fhurain & Sgurr Cos na Breachd-Laoigh. They had a 10 minute head start as Manny was taking the Mountain bike for 3 miles down the track. I had an enjoyable 6 mile run out to A Chuil Bothy and back in the glorious sunshine, and then prepared food for Manny’s night away while Manny packed for his trip into Sourlies Bothy. Chris & Ellie departed. He has Carn Mor & Bidean a’Chabair to also do this evening before arriving at the Bothy. I headed off in front of him for 3 miles while he came in on the mountain bike which I took back to the van before heading back around Loch Arkaig where I would get a signal to try and organise accommodation in Inverie, bike, ferry timetable.

I had a lovely drive back around Loch Arkaig into Fort William to drop of Manny’s mountain bike which Davie Duncan will collect to take to Inverie tomorrow. Gave Davie all his instructions and contacted Ken who is then collecting the bike and taking around to Kinloch Hourn to meet me on Tuesday evening.

I have a day off tomorrow so I am heading to the shops for some retail therapy while Manny has 2 large days on Knoydart and I will meet him on Tuesday evening at Kinloch Hourn.

Day 50 - Loch Eilt to Glen Dessary

More photos from Day 50...
He headed away to do 3 hills, Sgurr an Utha, Streap & Braigh nan Uamhachan and I was heading away to fill up with fuel, shopping & water and we were meeting at Glen Dessary. I had a rather interesting long drive around Loch Arskaig which seemed to go on for ever but got there in time to go and meet Manny with the bike. He advised that he thought he would be away for 4/5 hours so I headed off at 2.30 with the bike to meet him in the forest, but after waiting for over an hour and a half I headed back to the van, pad locked his bike to the fence post hoping he would see it as the heavens opened I got completely soaked. About half an hour later he appeared,, drenched too. He had a quick bite to eat & drink and then headed away to do Sgurr Mhurlagain & Fraoch Bheinn at about 6pm.

Ellie & Chris arrived shortly after so they headed off to meet him and do Sgurr Mhurlagain. We had dinner, few beers which were kindly brought from the Loch Lochy Munro’s Hill Race - Glenfinnan ales.

Day 49 - Luke at that view!!

Many thanks to Luke for suggesting to stay high from Beinn MhicCedidh across to The Rois-Bheinn 3. It was epic. Tired and sore, sure, but absolutely amazing stuff!
Me, Brenny, Charlie & June are all sitting in the camper west of Rois-Bheinn looking out across to Rum, Eigg and Skye with the most incredible sunset going on, and a beer in hand to sooth my tingling legs after a 20 min soak in the sea.
A cracking day of 5 in the sun, baking at times, and even a wee sleep on one of the tops.
Brenda, June, Chas & four legged Stella met me on top of the last hill, An Stac and an enjoyable walk off was had.
Heading into Glen Dessary tomorrow for a handful over the weekend, before heading into Knoydart for a few huge days.
Knee still very sore but improving.
Cheers everyone

Manny

Day 48 - Manny hits a sweet 6!

And so came to an end one of the finest days on the hills I ever had.
After a short mtb into Glen Gour (thanks to Charlie & June for taking it out again)I cracked out the 6 Corbetts north of Garbh Bheinn, with a tinge of regret that it was done seperately and not as part of a magnificent 7. Never mind, I'm back on the move again and while the knee was sore all day long, it was manageable with the sticks and drugs. The sticks were an almighty pain in the backside to use but an unavoidable evil that certainly helped me through a huge day - I just hope the leg recovers enough to let me stop using them soon. The weather stayed kind with only a few very light showers, not meritting taking the waterproof out the sack. It was fantastic looking back from Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn towards Beinn na h-Uamha such a long way away. As I was sitting scoffing the last of my grub on the now chilly last top, Brenda popped her head above the skyline having lugged up from Callop, via a scenic deep bog! This lovely glen has nowbeen scarred beyond repair by a massive road ripped out of the hillside to allow a new but small hydro scheme to be built, but with dis-proportionate destruction of the glen. Charlie eased my final descent pain on a sore knee by pushing up my mtb for the last mile back to the van.Cheers.
Back in the Stronlossit Inn for an outrageous steak dinner and a couple of fine beers (everywhere else in Lochaber having apparently stopped serving food just when when people may want to eat!) Looking forward to tomorrows 5, maybe even with an extra 1 if feeling good.
What better way to come back with a record 6 in one go.
Cheers all
Manny
XX

Day 47 – Still Game.

Well, hello again in the Blogosphere.
Rumours of my final demise are unfounded, (only just) after all it’s only pain – it will stop eventually…
It’s been an interesting 3 days.
Physio, sleep, drugs, physio, eat, physio, ice, physio…and put beer between all of those items.
Me and bikes never did get on very well and it’s no surprise that a stupid mistake on my mtb nearly cost me the whole run. Early indications seem to imply large and painful bruising to the whole left patella, and hopefully nothing more sinister underneath.
After the wonderful Alison Robb of Nethy worked on my leg for 3 sessions and with lots of ice and rest, I very tentatively got on my road bike this morning in Strontian, with the Right Horrible Al Campell as my domestique.
It was make or break as I turned the pedals for the first time, and thankfully the knee was not too painful. The next test was 2 miles later on the first climb in road and even under stress the joint held its own, albeit very slowly in the small rings. After warming up we got a steady crawl up the hill and enjoyed the whizz down the far side to the east foot of Garbh Bheinn, one of my favourite Scottish mountains.
The weather looked good with broken high clouds, and with the good company of Brenda, Big Al, Isobel Coombs, Charlie Campbell and sister June, with the indomitable Stella as back up, we enjoyed a slow but steady climb up the steep slopes with only one small shower, but otherwise warm all the way up. My defection to the use of walking poles or “cheating sticks” is only temporary, whilst the knee (hopefully) settles down again, but there is no doubt they helped take the weight off on the way up, but more importantly on the way down. My biggest worry about using sticks is that they make me go so slow it even made Al Campbell look fast! It was fantastic to get the views of those spectacular northern crags and then from the summit for lunch. A slow but steady stick assisted descent got us back to the van with the knee sore but not progressively so. Then it was into Loch Linnhe for 20 minutes to chill the legs down whilst Al & Isobel took the full plunge!! Tea, buns & beer were enjoyed in the van away from the ever increasing midge population before the usual frustrations of try to blog-on with poor connection signal.
Tomorrow I plan to try and get into it properly again by doing the other 6 tops to the north, leading to Callop – I reckon my knee only needs a bit of exercise now…

Temporary Fault

We apologise for this interuption to our schedule, normal programmes should return shortly

Day 44 & 45 – Bugger all, and beyond

Leg like a plank of wood this morning – there was no way I was going up a hill – I could barely get out the van!
After a hearty fry-up in the local café with the gang, they all headed up Garbh Bheinn in the sun while me, Brenny and the boys headed for the beach for a couple of hours.
I paid a visit to the Belford in Ft W and Doc says nothing broken, see a physio.
My physio says ice, beer, massage, beer, drugs, beer, compression, beer…and repeat.
I will go back tomorrow and have more treatment and re-assess.
I am now more confident I will get going again maybe in another day or 2, but off course this has knocked the timescale to hell.
I will keep all you Blogaloonies posted what happens.
Fingers crossed.
Thanks to Archie for the magnificent paint job on the van!!

Another wee update

In the few days since Manny's last post Brenda has had the van painted and the gammy leg is a good bit sairer (but for a different reason).

Don't panic! He's not out yet.

Full update to follow soon

Day 43 – Manny’s Flying Circus comes to Strontian

More photos from Day 43...
A large tribe of Westies gathered by Loch Eil side as I road biked in to start up Stob Coire a-Chrearcail across endless bog myrtle and soft ground. Before the top was made Donald Smith, Stevie Bell, Dave Rogers, Chris , Johnston, Ellie, JD and Don were all well spread out across the hill, with Shona and Brenda on van duties far below. I maybe lingered a bit too long on the top for photos and chat and got really cold before trotting off into the glen and meeting the van by Loch Linnhe. Communal feeding ensued before I once more took to the road with a good easterly tail wind helping me along. I got a great surprise at Cona Glen where Dave “Snake” Riach & Steffan “Herr” Gorgas were lying asleep on the grass road verge! Great company they kept me going down into Ardgour, Steffan in particular tramping along on quite a clunky mtb and up that last big hill – thanks for the beer Steff!
After considerable faffing about which was the optimum route, we climbed one of my favourite hills Creach Bheinn with epic views up & down Loch Linnhe. A quick down & up to Fuar Bheinn, then off towards Strontian with Brenny having cleverly suggested that she would get JD to humf my mtb up a zig ziggy track that seemed to go well up the hill. Great, that would save my once again aching left leg a jarring descent. Ho ho! After a very rough flog to find the track/bike, I set off down on the bike with the track rapidly becoming much steeper and extremely loose! I had thankfully killed my speed by the first hairpin bend, but as Ellie & Chris stepped aside and turned to let me pass, my front wheel turned in the gravel and I went straight over the bars Superman style! I landed with a crunch and an “Ouch, that hurt a bit”. The left knee was mashed. Blood ozzing from various scratches and feeling like death I freewheeled slowly down the rest of the hill to the van before a very painful couple of mile road bike to Strontian shops. My knee was swelling rapidly and hurt like hell, but with a good stock of drugs and food I set off up Beinn Resipol with Stevie, Chris, Dave, Ellie, Brenny & Donald. I took forever hobbling uphill but was not looking forward to the descent! The view from the top to mark Chris’s last Corbett was special. The low sun across Eigg & Rhum and Harris & Skye in the distance. WOW! That is the nights you remember for ever – unfortunately I will also remember it as the most painful, slow walk I have ever done. 5 hours!! Bloody hell, off the hill at last at 11.30pm. Depressed, very sore, food, beer, bed. Not looking good all of a sudden!

Day 42 - 4 Seasons in 15 minutes!

Hi all, just catching up on a missing day with Don Reid acting as pacer and councillor at the same time, with the distinct turn to colder weather and heavy showers my head took it bad, real bad. The heavy showers were easy to spot rolling in but this didn't help they hit hard & cold. We set not a bad pace over rough ground and topped out Ben Tee in quick time before a steep slippy drop off the back and traversed over very course ground to reach Meall na h-Eilde and a tough climb to lose the soft ground behind. Once on the ridge Don looked back to ask me something, but instead looked past and exclaimed "OH FLIP!!!" (or to that effect) I turned to follow his gaze and saw a jet black wall approaching us at high speed. Within minutes we were enveloped in thick clag and hail started to fall in huge sweeps. The temperature plummeted and the hail changed to thick heavy snow, sticking to everything. After what seemed eternity to frozen toes, it cleared and as the next patch of blue sky whizzed over the temperature soared again and the inch of lying snow vanished as quickly as it had fallen! After a thankfully brief nip up Geal Charn we had a steady track descent back to the van on Loch Arkaig-side for a big feed and drinks supplied by Brenny & Dot as more heavy showers swept over. I opted to changed the planned route a bit here by taking a longer road bike to Glen Loy for a shorter and well trodden climb up Beinn Bhan then a seemingly never ending 6 mile hike to Meall a Phubuill in howling winds and freezing cold! A quick map check revealed we almost missed the proper top and instead had to plod down and up yet another wee lump to finally bag it! We sploshed our way down for a quick look in Glensulaig bothy before I mtb’d back the van and Don trotted in totally knackered – great effort Don, we moved a lot better in the afternoon, thanks for keeping me going there. My Mum & Dad had arrived having ferried the boys to us from Newtonmore full of sweeties, fish & chips and fizzy pop!

Day41 - Glen Roy to Kilfinnan

Another great day, although well splattered with factor 60 sun cream and a hat!
After Archie delivered us the newspapers, Brenda & I nipped up/down Carn Dearg in quick time before second breakfast then I whizzed up/down Beinn Uri...?(sorry Can t spell it) in 50 mins to find the Doughnut Queen, Dot, back in attendance with fresh supplies. Then it was a fast freewheel down through Roy Bridge to the other side of River Spean to catch Sgurr & Cruach Innse with Archie. Great trip on the mtb's fpr a fast descent back to the van, and finished the day with a hours road bike to Killfinnan.That's me finished this side of the Great Glen!
My apologies for rubbish spelling and attention to detail, but my 14oz sirloin steak has just arrived at the table in the fine Stonlossit Hotel, with a superb pint of Atlas Brewerys Equinox, so must dash.
Love to all

Manny
XX

Day 40 – Kingussie to the Sun(without cream!)

Jeeezuz it was hot today!
The morning started cool enough and early cloud gave the impression of good conditions for a long 24 mile hill day. Not so. After an hours 18 mile bike ride to Garva Bridge Brenda & I wandered up the first hill Meall na h-airse and it got progressively warmer until it was hot hot hot! Fine view all around but we had to part company with her back to the van for chores and me for the alleged easy option…
I actually felt really strong running across the very rough ground that separates the 1st hill and Gairbeinn then Carn Chuilin though admittedly a lot of the bogs and peat troughs were well on the way to total drought. The views from the tops today were stunning with not so much haze as yesterday and getting closer to the west coast gave very dramatic shading with layer upon layer of mountains to try and identify. Then it started to go wrong. I had a good descent toward the Corrieyairack track but after pulling myself away from the temptations of a swim in the river, I noticed I was the colour of a large Alvie strawberry! For the first time I forgot cream up before going out and I have paid the price big time! Running with burnt legs through deep heather is something exquisite indeed… I took a bad route choice to the track and then a nightmare 3 mile flogging in long grass, bog and tussocks to get to Carn Dearg. Knackered. Some comfort eating and the fine views kept me going though and the last top, another Carn Dearg, was only 30 minutes away. The final drop into Glen Roy was hellish rough and I got messed up in some gulleys, another tired mistake.
Glad to see the van and Brenda was a superstar to have dinner ready to eat when I arrived! Ahh, food, beer and aftersun – what else does one need after a day like that? Yes, more beer.

Day 39 – Aviemore to Home!!

By the time we organised bikes and faffed about it was gone 10am when myself, Luke & Peter Porteous set off on our mtbs’s up the infamous Burma Road from Lynwilg Junction at Aviemore. A grinding 2 mile climb of about 1700ft then a quick walk up & down the remainder of Geal Charn. Peters determination to keep using his biking shoes from the 1800’s came back to haunt him when the sole fell off and he had to return direct to Lynwilg instead of following me & Luke down the fabulously fast & potentially dangerous descent on the other side to the river Dulnain and then onto meet Brenda and Dot at Slochd car park. A very fast whizz on the road bike for 13 miles to Coignafearn where some twitchers were with big scopes spying a fledged Peregrine chick on a cliff edge, and let me have a wee look – magic! Luke had to depart to start his new job in Brighton the next day, but many thanks for a couple of good days on the hills on new ground. Back on mtb again and a big climb most of the way into Carn na Saobhaidhe then the last mile or so on foot in now baking heat. Hazy views at the top before a fantastic shaky descent and out almost to the big lodge, but turning south up another track for a few miles before meeting up with Dot who was taking the bike out again, while I dashed off on foot over rough ground across the watershed back to the upper Dulnain and the wee bothy that sits there. A fast pull up from the end of the track there, then cut onto the top of Carn an Fhreiceadain. A note thanks to Russell Jones for planking his mtb there in the morning. The weather had turned much colder from the north in the last hour and it was freezing on the summit so I was grateful for a very fast and bone jarring descent with numb fingers all the to the bottom and cycled back to our house!
A real team effort today, thanks to Finlay Binnie for a loan of his mtb for Luke, to Russell for his bike on the last top and especially to Dot, the Doughnut Queen, not only for taking my bike out from the back of beyond, but for the priceless tips on the tracks in Coignafearn which are not marked on OS maps!
A great day for us finished off with the good company of my 2 handsome sons Manuel & Duncan for dinner/beer & pool in the Glen Hotel.

Day 38 - The Queens View out to Meall a' Bhuachaille

Another scorcher, great!
After a delayed start (surprise surprise) myself and Luke set off from Tomintoul on mtb's for 3 miles west then on foot over rough ground to the top of Geal Charn in about 2 hours. A good feed and sycronised timer photos of us on the cairn before heading down, with Luke not feeling 100% (or even 50% I suspect) after only just flying in from NZ, and not having done any running for about 6 weeks, heading straight to Ryvoan bothy, whilst I headed down and across what must be one of the great untouched wildernesses in Scotland towards Creag Mhor. I dare any of you to try and link these 2 hills to find out...Not a trace of human hand to be seen or heard, utterly still and boiling hot. Every peat hag would reveal new wildlife hiding from the sun. Grouse exploding from my feet every 5 minutes and flapping away with fake injuries to lure me away from their clutch of tiny chicks. Deer lying down in the shade. Curlews crying in the air. Fish diving for cover in the river. A special but desperately rough place.
At last, another 2 hour flog including a twisted right ankle with much whinging and punching of the heather, I finally fought my way to the top of Creag Mhor where the chunky summit tors allowed superb views into Glen Avon, Bynack Mor, Cairngorm etc etc. I had my chit on the top and soaked it up. A fast descent, climb & descent over the Bynack path lead me to a fast ascending Alan Smith. The cunning plan of him shoving his bike up the path as far as possible for me had come unstuck when his rear mech had somehow got damaged and fell off! So an unavoidable longer trot and very brief but exciting freewheel on his undriveable bike lead me to Ryvoad bothy to meet up with Brenda, Luke, Davy Duncan, Dave from Cairngorm Runners, and then the sweaty but ever chirpy Peter Porteous and his mate Keith. We enjoyed a very relaxed plod up Meall a' Bhuachaille to the summit where Daves missus Val waited on us before gentle jog back down to Reindeer House for drinks and food. I nipped of to finish the day with a fast 8 mile bike ride to Lynwilg junction outside Aviemore, then whizzed back to Glenmore Lodge to get a long overdue massage by the ever patient Kirsty Wright - a woman who can knead your legs to dough...as long as you bring your own bite stick! Thank you Kirsty. Judy & Will had arrived had arrived at Reindeer House, sorry I had to dash off, thanks for the wine, nibbles & cakes. Hope you will be able to do a hill soon with me. Thanks to Aidy for making tea and a cracking couple of pints were had in the grand Suie Hotel, Kincraig, before retiring to bed for a bit of bloggercise - Brenda is now snoring.
Short day tomorrow, hopefully catch up with 2 handsome sons!?