Creag Death

Went on a trip with Frazer to Creag Dubh last week to go climbing He's always keen to go 'cragging' but I refuse to go if the forecast is wet or cold. Last week's forecast was for scattered showers on Friday and sunshine Saturday. So, only the second outing of the year, a three hour drive and we're there. Frazer had a look at the rock and and I'm eyeing up the views.

We set up to do a two pitch HVS. First pitch pumpy, but luckily Frazer was at the sharp end. Starting the second pitch I was worried it might be as hard but, luckily, setting off at the front end of the rope, it turned out to be much friendlier. Forgot to take the camera up the rock so no pictures.

Meal in Newtonmore with a pint and then back to the tents for a very cold night. Two sleeping bags took the sting out it though, but I did pop on a hat about five am. Next morning was fabulous with sun and mist so I had to go walkabout. The campsite view was much better than the usual.

Quick walk down the to get a view of  the hill. On the way a wind torn silver birch had a bracket fungus growing - just waiting there to be arty-farty.

Getting down towards the lochan, the mist rolling along with the sun shining through made the light just right, so that it was hard to take a 'bad' photo. Some of them I quite like.

Back to the campsite for Muesli and cup of tea as the mist was starting to burn off. Mid way through the muesli two dragonflies fluttered past. Eventually sneaked up on them after 'doggedly' chasing them for two or three minutes.

Eventually we made it back to the rock and I finally managed to take a 'climbing' photo half way up the cliff on a friendly belay ledge. Frazer was the proud leader of an E1 followed by an E2. I contrived not to fall off either.

There were other climbers about, but none of them human. We had the the whole crag to ourselves all day, apart from the newt, which I couldn't capture as I was busy belaying, the snail and the herd of feral goats. If you have a minute, try counting them.

Just as we were about to leave for the drive back to Edinburgh the wind slowed, the sun dropped below the clouds and it all turned a bit autumnal.

If not the bike climbing is magic.

King of Saddell

A close friend celebrated his 65th birthday by renting Saddell Castle for a week and having a succession of friends to wine, dine and walk the beaches in Kyntire. Saddell is in a south west corner of Scotland that is quiet and beautiful. 

Just in front of the castle was of course its own 'private' beach.

Lots of rock pools of course. Trying to take pictures of water boatmen skating on the water proved impossible without the distinct chance of falling in camera first. Then this wee guy blew past, literally. The breeze dropped momentarily - et voila!

Further along the the beach a few daisies were on their last legs, but the rowan berries were positively glowing.

A quiet morning walk produced a delicate campion, a rhododendron tunnel and an early fallen leaf.

Cambeltown is a few twisty miles away and is in the process of trying to regenerate itself - mainly with a marina and new harbour frontage. The Linda McCartney memorial garden eluded us totally but the church was a focal point.

A walk along Machrihanish beach was a blowy affair with an unusually strong east wind. The waves weren't that big but the wind gave the surf a wild look.

Finally, the huge chimney in the castle proved even more interesting if you stood in the hearth. However, it did take five attempts to get a decent photo with the wee camera trying to focus on the bright lum at the top rather than getting the huge dusty web in focus.

Distinct lack of happy pedalling but plenty of gin.