A little bit of weather, dull days, rainy days, work and a couple of colds.
We did have a lovely weekend back in Devon where we celebrated One Hundred and Eighty. Made up of a 50th birthday, a 75th birthday and an Emerald anniversary (55 years) Took a flight from Edinburgh to Exeter - very easy journey and an enjoyable family meal on Sunday lunchtime.
We have had some email discussion with Mary over the house plans but don't expect to actually get our hands on anything until the first week in February. At least this is on the horizon now.
The weekend just past promised high winds on both Saturday and Sunday, with excessive wind speeds at summit level. However, the temptation of blue skies, some sun and snowy tops was enough to get me researching a smallish mountain - safe from the snow and ice - reasonably close to home that we could tackle on Sunday when the winds should have eased. Ha.
So Sunday saw us up and out at an early hour for the drive towards Loch Lomond. Plenty of storm damage on the way including flooded roads, trees down and debris but no hazard to travel.
We arrived at the large, free car park at Balmaha, a small village on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, We were one of only a few cars and one camper van. No breeze in evidence in the car park so shirt and fleece for me plus gaitors with Gary kitted up in full as usual. As always we carried the full back up kit with us, including a variety of cold weather gear. We were only climbing up to just over 1,300 ft but even so.
The path, part of the West Highland way, climbed up through forest with steps kindly provided and was wide, not muddy and impossible to lose. Once onto the open hillside, the path narrowed but still had steps where it got steep. As we approached a stream crossing, we met a Dutch couple who carried a small child each in a carrier on their backs. Both children were wailing quietly and a bit snotty. Made a passing comment about how I wouldn't cry if someone was carrying me and they explained that it was just too windy for the kids and they had turned back.
At this point we decided that perhaps we should prepare for the wind we could now hear shrieking around the ridge although we were not yet feeling the full effect.
Upwards we went and as we hit the ridge we definitely found the wind. It came howling in from the west - straight across the loch, buffeting the mountain. We carried on steeply uphill and met a few fell runners, one of whom slipped, fell, swore and bounced back up and carried on. We were on Conic Hill which is on the Highland Fault Line, so some interesting geological features if you had the inclination. We were concentrating on battling on, even with the wind at our backs, some of the gusts took my legs away. A Scottish person in shorts slithered down the hill, bleeding from a scraped leg and warned us about the tricky and slippy mud ahead. Undeterred we went onwards. Stopped in the shelter of some crags to take a few photos. The views now opened out to Ben Lomond and, further away, the Arrochar Alps. (I have my eye on these for a later and longer day out)
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| Ben Lomond shines in the sun, as a snow shower threatens |
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| Arrochar Alps looking gorgeous in the sun |
Climbed the last bit to the summit and just about managed to stand on the top - by now we were wearing all available clothing and only the tip of my nose was visible. Decided that we would try and find a sheltered spot for lunch on the east side of the hill. Was a bit boggy but we found a nice hollow, probably used by sheep and sat with feet dangling, almost out of the wind. Sat through a light rain shower that was snow just a bit higher up and found ourselves almost in the middle of a rainbow. The shower soon got blown over and we packed up and headed back down to the car.
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| View back up to Conic Hill. If you look very carefully, you can see people on the ridgeline. |
The car park was now almost full although not sure where they all were. The Oak Inn looked nice for a pint and a pie and the menu was reasonable so perhaps people were in there. We did stroll to the loch and took a couple of moody pictures - jostling with the Japanese tourists for the best view. It was at this point that we spotted the boat / yacht that had been apparently blown out of the water and was "bottom up" at the edge of the small boat yard.
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| A final look to the west across Loch Lomond before we head for home |
Days like today make you realise that Scotland is a beautiful country with views and vistas that are constantly changing. We are very lucky to be living here within easy reach of such glorious scenery and walking routes.
The Arrochar Alps may be next on the agenda although we have also been considering the Cairngorms as we have never walked up there. Advice is that the Cairngorms are best in the winter as they have a reputation for being boring great lumps of hills and the snow and frost make them more amenable.
Back home to prepare for the week ahead, quietly hoping that Mary might send us the first house plans ahead of schedule.
PS: Forgot to mention the weather station that now sits proudly in the garden recording all manner of weather events. More information to follow plus a link to Gary's website where the information will be broadcast.
