Ophelia with the swim group
Loch Garten 415m
I have finally gotten a bit bitten by the outdoor swim bug. I have always loved to get in the water in very warm weather but am now getting better at getting in and staying in. Last week I swam out to the crannog in Loch Vaa. So today I swam to the water Lillies in Loch Garten and took part in their annual photo shoot….well Maikie with her camera. It was good fun.
Seacliff with Sam
Recovering at Sue’s from my wash out bike tour in Northumberland I’d always lovely. Totally spoiled by them both. I had a wee walk with Sue and a short road ride with Chris. Then Sam came over and we went for a dip at Seacliff. Sam wanted to go in the harbour. A beautiful but cold looking place. It was in fact wonderful. Not that cold. I think I am getting better at getting in!
Sue lent me her dry robe —— I want one!
Not the SSW
Bellingham to Eldon
I had a cosy night and woke up to a damp but not raining day. I went to a cafe and had coffee and breakfast and a think. I decided that riding the sandstone way in the wet would not be fun so plotted a route on the sustains 68. I got back to the tent just as the rain started, managed to get everything packed up without it getting wet. Apart from the tent! I set off nice quiet roads but pouring down. Eventually got to a country inn where I took refuge. The people there were wonderful, put my coat in the boiler room and gave me fluffy towels. I ended up staying there all afternoon the rain got worse and in the end Chris came and rescued me. I have spent a nice few days with him and Sue.
SSW Day One
Part one: Ride to the start.
D: 12.78km El: 126m
Today started well. I got up early got all sorted and set off at same time as Joe was going to work. I nice drive over. Very quiet good roads. The inn has a big car park. Not quite what I expected but friendly people. I hadn’t been going long when I had to repack my saddle bag. It was sticking into my bum! Anyway good progress was made although now I am on the train in a queue waiting to pass a broken signal. It was going to be tight making it to the campsite tonight. I may end up riding in the dark. Good job I have lights.
The train drivers are good. There are lots of announcements
Part two. Hexham to Bellingham
D: 36km. El: 575m
I got in an hour late so not too bad. I stopped at the Lidl to get some provisions. At first it was an ok track but a lot of gates and railway crossings. First problem was a bull in a field. I made a detour. Next was the off road tracks/bridleways. Really mostly not rideable. Locked gates. In the end I was so running out of time that I hit the sustain route 68 and made it to Bellingham for 9pm. Tent up. Indian eaten and a half in the pub. A good nights sleep. Hoping for drier weather tomorrow.
The second half of the ride was a bit more interesting! Rain started. Tracks were not always very rideable. I struggled a bit with the new technology. At the start of the route it was death by gate and level crossing. Eventually abandoned the off road route and finally made the campsite about 9pm. Tent up. Indian meal eaten and a quick drink in the Black Bull Inn. Bed. I slept pretty well.
Mullach Clach a’Bhlair
Mullach Clach a’Bhair (m) 1,019m
Bike D: 5.88 El: 92m. T: 45mins
Hike D: 11km. El: 687m T: 2hrs 45mins (3hrs 52mins )
Bike/swim D: 6.26km El: 46m. T:38mins
The day didn’t start well I got to the parking place and realised I hadn’t put my ruc sac in the van, it was starting to spot with rain and the clouds looked very grey. It was also windy. I pondered and then decided to go back home to get my sac.
So eventually I set off at mid day. It was a hard ride in as there was a horrible head wind and I chose the route badly ending up on a sketchy washed out path. Once I got to the up hill track I hid my bike and set off walking. A track all the way but steep and loose. I e biker passed me but I saw no one else until the ridge. It is feature less rounded hill but it was nice to be up high and the rain held off mostly. The ride back was easier than I had feared. And as the sun came out and it was quite warm I stopped for a dip at the pony bridge. Which I had all to myself. Glad I made the effort.
I decided I needed to get back to being a photographer so from now on I am going to add some edited photos to my blog!
Gleann Dubh Lighe
A two hill solo overnighter.
Streap 909m (c)
Braigh nan Uamhachan 765m (c)
https://www.strava.com/activities/14568906123
It was a bit of a wound licking week after my bike packing trip got unexpectedly cancelled. I spent a couple of days with kenny in Mallaig and then thought that I should pull myself together and do something. I had all the bike packing gear with me so decided on a wee trip up gleann Dubh lighe. there was a bothy if it got midgey and two fine hills either side of the glen. I set off not too early but with enough time to go up streap first and then make camp. Streap was a wonderful ridge and a bit day. When i got back to the bike I had no energy left to get back to the bothy luckily there was a breeze and so no midge. I put up the tent ate and slept. I wasn’t sure if I would have another hill in me!!
I slept well and decided to go for the second hill. I left the tent to dry as there was a lot of dew on it. It had been surprisingly cold during the night but my new mat bag and could cover combo kept me warm. I took brew kit with me and had morning coffee on the first top. It was a long but enjoyable ridge although on the way back i cut steeply down from the coll to reach an argo track back to the tent. Packed up and rode out a thoughly enjoyable solo trip.
Coll Climbing
Dun Dubh 17th may – i obviously wasn’t feeling it but very much enjoyed seconding
Borg Cube S** Seconded, Trigonal32 VD * Seconded, Pyramid S** Seconded Sphere S* Seconded
Ballyhough 18th May – a bit of a better day!! only just!
Beginers Slab Izzy Whizzy S Seconded Batternburg Boy VD Lead One Move wonder Solo S 4b
The slab Ryan’s Way VD Second Callum’s Callisthenics S Second Basking shark VD Second
photos in no particular order lovely rock though.
Coll
Day one, Settling in and swimming……..still weird……..Claudia being unpleasant……finding it difficult. So used AI to remove her……..
Tiree
It wasn’t the best time away, the weather was amazing but the group dynamics were weird and got worse.
I came from arran via the garage to get a new battery fitted in the van. and the laundrette. The campsite was ok.
The first day there was a bit of a route march to to the wee hill which we rode up. Nice view I escaped to the sea and had a bit of a surf although not really big enough waves.
Carnan Mor 141m
D: 18.53 km El: 215m T: 1 hr 9 mins
Second day we had a gravel ride and a swim in the most beautiful cove. dynamics still weird
A very Long Day
Souwester slabs
Cir Mhor 799m (c)
I learned a lot on this climb…mostly to not take a persons description of their experience for granted. It was a bit of a shit show for a few reasons but we all came back and Sarah and I ended up on the summit for the sunset. But i really miss my old climbing buddy.
Mountain Days and Photo Nights 