40 years reunion and Scotland

North Wales

Having spent two wonderful days with John and Margaret in Dorset we moved on to Pen y Pass hostel in North Wales. Glorious weather gave us the chance to go along Crib Goch and up Snowdon. This is the highest mountain in Wales and the first of the three peaks.Superb day with Youngmi leading a swiss guy past the point of no return and about 50 jewish boys in traditional clothes near the summit. Youngmi thought they might be welsh.

Reunion

Back to Keith and Junes and a problem with a blocked toilet. Despite Youngmis best efforts with tree branches, chemicals and a bendy sink cleaning rod the toilet remained blocked. We cleared off hoping Keith and June could suceed where we had failed and leaving branches sticking out of the toilet. To Lancaster to celebrate 40 years since we walked the Pennine Way. Met John and Margaret, Martin and Jill, Phil and Mandy and Phil and Joan. A walk along the canal, champagne then dinner at the Broughton in Lancaster all lovely.Even better as our friends had booked the hotel way in advance and got the miser rate.

Next day a walk near Arnside with Martin and Jill then off to Scotland. Beautiful sunny day. Visited the car rental at Glasgow airport to record Youngmis new driving licence. A very helpful guy sorted everything and chatted in a complex glasgow accent that left Youngmi completely baffled. Along Loch Lomond and past high mountains to a comfy bead and breakfast in Glencoe. The mountains are so big. Longest day and still light at 11.30pm.

Ben Nevis

Pouring next day but set off up Ben Nevis. Cold and wet to the lake then got better and better. Lots of snow and maybe 10,000 people. The highest mountain in Scotland and second of the three peaks.

Loch Ness

Even better B& B Briars at Loch Ness. The host wore a kilt and carried a big sword. Two deer in the garden and sightings of the monster.

Inverness

John O Groats

Rain on Sunday for a drive through Inverness, Dunrobin castle,Wick, John o groats and Thurso. Sky very low, rain very hard and everything grey. A drop of whisky with dinner brightened things up and then a meeting with Liz and Neil who we met in Patagonia made for a good night.

Drove along a single track road along the top of Scotland. Grand scenery and felt very remote. Past the old Dounreay fast breeder reactor. Now closed and being used to try decommissioning methods for the nuclear waste. Dave cycled here 34 years ago and stood on the core when the power station operated as this was part of the tour. Maybe Dave got a bit of radiation on the brain.

Dur Ness

Tongue, Durness both a bit bleak even with the chocolate cafe. More narrow roads to the tiny harbour for Handa Island. We had missed the last boat but a beautiful view and restaurant makes it all worthwhile. At the harbour two fishermen introduced Youngmi to their crabs.

Very comfy night in a great new hostel in Lochinver. The timiest road ever to Stac Polly mountain and a great scramble along the ridge. Ullapool lovely in the sun as we have fish and chips with an older german lady and watch the feryr go Lewis and Harris.On to Torridon and the youth hostel. Very well run and curry for dinner.The bottle of whisky that I tried to give to Lindsay and then to John is finally finished and has been a great success.

Ben Eighe

The weather forecast is good for the day with cloud on mountain tops. Climb Beinn Eighe rushing to stay ahead of a german couple. Stunning walk along mountain tops and the cloud lifted so all is clear.Liathach mountain looks splendid.Rocky climb down past the Triple Buttress to a lake and then a three hour walk back. Hard work but sun and scenery are are amazing.

Applecross and Sky

Phoned Keith from the mountain top and he said go to see my mate in Applecross. His mate is not there but Applecross on this sunny evening is gorgeous. Dinner in the pub looking across to the Isle of Skye. Camp next to beach near three aging musicians who have a campfire. Raining in the morning and Skye has gone. Drive to Kyle of Lochalsh, over bridge to Skye, back past Eileen Donnell castle to Fort William and dinner in Morrisons.

Stirling

Bed and Breakfast in Glencoe is full so onto Oban. One street of horrible B&Bs that all want $100 for a room. Find a better place for less.Pouring next morning as walk around Oban  but atmospheric. Old church on Loch Awe, lunch in Killin near Clan Mcnab burial ground, Stirling tour including pub with musicians and back to Accy.

Hebden Bridge

Soon off to Hebden Bridge for a night with Phil and Mandy. Phil can hardly walk as he had cycled 600km at the weekend.He takes us for a walk to loosen his achilles tendon. Then Mandy arrives for dinner and cannot walk much better. She has run 40km at the weekend climbing 10,000 metres of mountains in the Lake district. Two nights later they are driving to the Alps for climbing. We realise we need to lift our game.

Next morning go to see Doug who was in the army with Daves dad and shared the same birthday. Doug at 86 has just driven 200km back from his caravan in Wales where he goes sailing. We again realise we have to lift our game. Doug takes us for a slap up lunch athe Robin Hood pub that his daughter and hubbie own. We then watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for the Bolivian connection in front of Dougs coal fire. Next we are off into town for slap up fish and chips. What a wonderful day.

Stefs Allotment

Barnsley

A night on the allotment with cousin Stef and his family and the chickens and another night in Ackworth with Steve and Liz are all good fun. Heat wave again as we walked to the Yorkshire sculpture park.

We made two visits to the Whalley Road church that Daves mum went to, met many friendly folk and once heard Marshall preach.

Scattering Ashes

On the Sunday with all the family we carried mum and dads ashes to the top of the Coppice, the hill overlooking Accy. We mixed them together as they wanted. We planted a new tree near a xmas tree then we and the children scattered the 'fairy dust ' there for Mum and Dad. It was such a hot day just what they loved. On to the Calfs Head and a great meal in the perfect setting of the beer garden. It all felt right.

Lakes District

Monday we packed ready to move on and Tuesday we drove to the Lake District to climb Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England and the last of the three peaks. It was so hot and took seven hours of fast walking but what a great day. Luckily we took much more water than usual and we needed all of it.
Ray came to Keith and June's in the evening and we had a good chat.