George and Mary's Travels

Friday, August 3, 2018

Munro bagging - phase 2

start of week 2 and meeting Nicola at Dalwhinnie off train from Newcastle

Cycling in 8 miles or so to Loch Pattack

Nicola on summit of Beinn Bheoil

Our wild camping site ....

... with private swimming pool

Meeting up with my hero James Hawkins. at Inbhirfhaolain, an SMC related hut in lower Glen Etive and ....

...... for a memorable ( and very long ) day in the Glen Etive hills

James near the summit of Stob Coir'an Albannaich looking north east

Made the most of this phenomenal weather. 31 outstanding at start. 14 on conclusion. Some very long days , but all spectacular ones. 8 days of hiking. 5 nights under canvas. 17 climbed.

Met John and Rod at Roy Bridge after a day in the Laggan hills on my own with help of a bike. Spent night in Roy Bridge Hotel and took early morning train to Corrour. Spent 3 nights camping there 2 of them with John and Rod. 3 days of hiking in very remote country and the train out in time for a last day with John and Rod in the Glen Nevis area.

Back to Inverness and then at the beginning of the 2nd week I met my niece Nicola off the train at Dalwhinnie and camped with her by Loch Pattack for a couple of remote Munros on each side of Ben Alder.

Then a drive to Glen Etive to meet my friend James Hawkins for a final day in the hills at foot of that glen. Finished in time to collect Johannes off the train from Mallaig having delivered his charges safely to the night train Fort William to London on conclusion of Knoydart Outward Bounds experience.

Rod and John at Roy Bridge sation

Arriving at Corrour 30 minutes later in time for breakfast at the cafe there

at end of a long 1st day. Top of Loch Ossian

Puck - and admirable hill companion

Striding out at start of day 2. A;long south side of Loch Ossian.

Looking back to Corrour station - our tents ( if you could see them ) at a spot in the very centre of the photo

Discarding all clothing and swimming in this divine pool (and lying under the waterfall for a full 15 minutes). Bliss.

Back to tent in time to enjoy this stunning sunset

Loch Ossian very early on the the 3rd morning. Walking that day on my own for 12 hours and doing 3 very remote Munros at east end of Loch Ossian

Looking back to where I've just come from. John and Rod's train departing from Corrour station ( white dot in distance ) about now.

.... and where I'm heading.

Packing tent to make early train back to Roy Bridge

...... and the walk to catch it !

These next few pics for the benefit of Martha S. Want to start planning a trip for 2019 !

And Martha you can catch the night sleeper from London Euston to this very spot in time for breakfast. No pancakes though.

Rod and John meeting me in Roy Bridge ..

... and transporting me to one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland - Glen Nevis and then on to .....

...... top of Carn Dearg Mhor looking west to summit of Ben Nevis and its famous northern corries

Scotland and Ireland - family time

June 19 to July 8.

A hugely successful visit to both daughters and their families. Main purpose was to assist Jane during Johannes' outward bounds work with kids from S of England. Mary undertaking the lion's share of this undertaking allowing me - generously - to pursue my Munro bagging enterprise . 31 to go !

I had 2 fabulous weekends with Mary , Jane and Anna .

Then to Ireland where we had a weekend with Meghan and her family before returning to Snowmass - the Ryans arriving in Denver on the same day allowing me to drive them all back home for a 3 week visit with us. Next post.

Here is a sample of the days in Scotland and Ireland currently enjoying the best summer weather since 1976.

Outdoor lego

Anna with her beloved " Peter "

Granny Moon and Anna on the shore of Loch Ness

The hedge we planted last year. Helping Granny Moon !

Lucy comfortable in the cat mint

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree - literally !!!!

Airing out after a week's camping and Munro bagging

It really must have been hot

Last evening in Inverness and stunning sunset shining on downtown Inverness

Angus helping Grandad with lawn mowing duties

Iona's 6th birthday party

New neighbour - dream scenario for Meghan

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, CO

We needed to go back to Subaru in GJ for maintenance related issues and decided to combine it with two days of road biking. Had heard so much about the phenomenal road, and mountain, biking there, but with a 3 hour drive, there needed to be another reason to make the trip.

While car in the shop, we explored downtown GJ on bikes and were impressed. First stop a recommended bike shop who were more than helpful on routes/trails. Lunch in cute salad bar - Cafe Sol - and then headed down the bike trail parallel with the Colorado River and I.70. Then disaster struck - or nearly did ! An off duty GJ cop failed to stop at a stop sign where the bike path had right of way over a pedestrian/bike crossing. Result: I was hit square on, me and bike sent sprawling. Fortunately nothing , apart from bike and helmet, broken and merely bruised and shaken. Said off duty cop couldn't have been nicer, was mortified by his carelessness, and loaded us and our bikes into his pick-up truck, taking us back to the bike shop we had been in a few hours earlier. An hour or so later, bike was repaired , new helmet bought ( all at expense of cop ), and we were on our way back to collect Subaru and drive to Best Value motel ( Indian management, inexpensive and top notch ). Dinner downtown still feeling a bit sore and shaken, but after a good night, we were in the car by 6.30 headed for a breakfast cafe in Fruita at bottom of Colorado National Monument. The rest described in captions beneath.

Mary with my bus driving colleague John Carlin at the Town clean-up day

The cycle path down the Colorado River bu Grand Junction just before the fateful incident

Anyone who knows me is aware that religion and I parted company some time ago, but Mary still reckoned I should be giving thanks to someone. So here I am. To the mountains ! And the bike shop !