A birthday weekend, two fine hills and quite a bit of wind!

This weekend was a celebration of my birthday, a return to the hills and a year since we first decided to live here.

So this weekend was back to the hills after injury, illness and various other calls on our time.
Saturday was a fine if breezy day and a good day on which to re-test our fitness levels on Dumyat. Straight up the direct route from Blair Logie car park. Steep, nettles, thorns and brambles, head-high ferns and muddy and slippy under foot. Compared to the last time we attempted it, a much easier ascent - still needing pauses for breath but all was well. Joined the main path and the hordes from the Sheriffsmuir car park including runners, mountain bikers, small children and walkers. Up to the beacon on the top where wind speed was measured at a steady 35mph with one gust of 39.6mph. That's shout to be heard wind.  A sheltered spot found for our quick lunch break then back down the steep but short path to the track past the farm.

West from Dumyat summit

Forth River towards Edinburgh in the background

A quick check on legs and lungs - all well so bags packed in anticipation of Sunday's walk and (relatively) early start. 

Saturday evening brought pre-birthday champagne and chocolates plus home-made pizza - in the correct order of course!

Sunday morning was misty locally but a hint of brightness to the west decided us and we were up and off. Bags packed, clean clothes in the car and off we went to the good old A84. Past Callendar and on to Lochearnhead south road. Single track road with very few passing places saw us back at the gates to Ardvorlich House - our second attempt on Ben Vorlich was underway. There were still people camping on the lochside beach but this time no Japanese tourists. Set off up the drive and in came the rain - big spots but straight down. Waterproofs on and memories of the walk in and up the hill came to haunt us. Anyway we tramped up and up without stopping until the bridge by the mini-hydro station. Then spotted a rock where we sat and had our breakfast. Passed by three small boys, their father and, some way behind, their mother.  Their energy levels were amazing!
Watched the weather changing - clouds, rainbows, rain and quite windy. No midges though which is a good thing.

Today's target - Ben Vorlich, head in the clouds

Rainbow over Loch Earn from breakfast rock

Sunday was my birthday - and what a way to spend it. Received several texts and facebook notifications as we were walking. We climbed on and up; the mountain much quieter today than it was on our last visit.  We reached the junction of the paths which was where we turned around last time. Not today, now for the steeper part of the climb - up to the shoulder where we rounded a cairn into the face of the wind. Battened down the hatches and trudged on. We were approaching cloud level now so visibility was intermittent at best and sometimes non-existent. The path was huge though and we couldn't miss it. The energetic family passed us again - coming back down. Apparently it was cold on the top. All children were soaked through but still smiling. We carried on past several cairns and eventually the gradient eased. Summit coming into view - Oh no not just yet. A huge hill loomed out of the mist, by this point the wind was howling and rain beating in from the west. Couldn't see the summit and wind speed registered as 36mph. Decisions, decisions - did we want to trudge up another huge hill for no view and more chilling in the wind and rain? Nope not today thank you so we turned it round and decided we would return on a day with views.

View across Loch Earn before we walked into the cloud

Lawers range in the distance

Back down we went, cold now and fancying a hot drink and some food. Found shelter behind a group of rocks and enjoyed a quick lunch stop (in the rain) 

Birthday lunch shot - no I don't have a huge hand, it's a wide angled lens.

Birthday lunch, damp coat and quite cold but happy 

As we descended, the wind eased and it got warmer. Still raining though. Back at the car for around 3pm, quick change in the cool wind, avoiding the raindrops - luckily there were very few cars or people around - and home by 4pm. A lovely day, exhilarating to be out in wild weather and rounded off by a nice dinner and a glass of ice cold white wine.


And you never know, we might, just might complete the sale of the plot this week.
Gary's birthday on Wednesday - might just save the celebrations until next weekend.

We are off to the Cairngorms next week for a relaxing yet energizing week of walking and exploring an area we have never visited before. Really looking forward to it. Will be blogging as we go, wi-fi allowing. It's forecast to get cool so we might see the first snow of the winter. If we do, will share the photos and experiences on here.

A year ago this weekend we were looking at houses to rent in the area. Wanted the one in Salen, got the one in Fishcross. It all worked out well in the end. Almost a year since we packed our bags and headed north. Let's hope the next year doesn't go quite so fast - we have a house to build!