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Informative couple of days exploring the Roman sites along Hadrian's Wall - with James providing much of the background information following his recent school project. Spent a dampish first night at Boe Rigg, Northumberland, visiting incredible Roman fort remains and museums at Chesters, Housesteads and Vindolanda, exploring sections of Hadrian's Wall itself too, where we could find them. Then took a little excursion to the Lakes, to stay at the idyllic riverside Sykes Farm and climb Castle Crag in glorious sunshine.
Cubs' hike from North Berwick town to the top of the Law, then back for chips!!
Wonderful three days' skiing at Les Houches with James. Two days of amazing weather and views - the third day, er, not so. But brilliant to watch his skiing develop quickly - it's all becoming very instinctive now, linking his parallel turns beautifully and any hints of the old snowplough consigned to history. Very proud of him!
Fab weekend at Glenmore walking, cycling, eating and drinking with the Border Search and Rescue squad as a farewell to Helen who's about to head off to a new life in Colorado.
A chance to bag six less than inspiring Glenshee Munros spiced up by having a bit of snow on them, but before the hoards of skiers arrive. Hard work in the powder and a LONG walk!! Just made it back before dark.
Approximately 18,000 feet of climbing on foot and on tandem over 6 amazing days with Kim in Torridon and Skye. First, "the big one" - the Bealach Na Ba and the Applecross peninsula on the tandem - very happy to have to managed that (we wonder how many tandems have gone up there before us?). Punctured on the way down due to overheating the wheel rims with all the braking on the 6 mile, 2000' descent back to sea level. Then up Beinn Alligin on Monday. Then cycled to Elgol (return) from Broadford on Skye - planned as a "recovery ride" but was hillier than expected (2000' of climbing). Raced up Blaven on Wednesday and on the penultimate day an exciting and memorable romp on the Cullin ridge in sublime conditions, bagging Am Basteir (omitting its tooth!!!) and Bruach na Frithe. Finished the week with a return south, back to the dodgy weather, and a damp 30 mile loop of Perthshire taking in a section of the Etape Caledona course and a new (to me) steep climb up into Glen Errochty. A brilliant week leaving wonderful memories and both of us feeling fitter and stronger.
Boiling hot Bank Holiday round of Bow Fell and the Crinkle Crags.
Chapter Four of the Dads' and Kids' camping series - and the third time back at Beadnell, Northumberland. Bigger and better than ever before....
James first island by microlight. Lovely flight to Gigha for an evening walk to the pub for dinner and camping on the airstrip. Then home, circling Saltoun Hall on route, and waving to neighbour, Gregor.
Discovering the North West of Scotland by Campervan - in all weathers. Learning about castles and beaches and lighthouses and plant-life and World War 2 and geology and too many other things to recall. Another wonderful Big Tree adventure.
First taste of real rock climbing for James and me - great fun and tough challenge on Kyloe Crags in Northumberland, with expert supervision and instruction from Kim's Border Search and Rescue buddies, James, Damon and George. And a wonderful climbing exhibition from Damon's 10-year-old twins, Toby and Oscar.
Impromptu trip to the Lakes for a wee birthday hillwalk, camping in the rain in Langdale then heading up into the mists of Bow Fell and a lovely round under the cloud, high over the Langdale Pikes. The photos a little deceptive as the camera quickly came out, only with each very brief glimpse of the sun.
Arrived on Arran to cycle a lap of the island on the tandem only to discover a 5 mile section of the road is currently closed. So instead we did a north loop followed by a south loop. This took in all 3 big cat 3 Arran climbs - the String, the Lochranza climb and the Ross - as well as countless cat 4s. A huge effort, but wonderful fun - and further and MUCH more climbing than the originally planned lap.
Another brilliant East of Scotland Microlights club flying trip to the West of Scotland. Overnight on Gigha then on over the Paps of Jura to Colonsay for a bbq lunch on the beach. Sunshine and tailwinds all the way - someone up there loves us!!
Bank Holiday treasure hunt in our fab, big gardens - followed by a walk to the shop to get ingredients for a picnic in the back garden. The beginnings of summer at last perhaps?
A fabulous, memorable weekend on the big mountains of Kintail. Climbed the Five Sisters on Saturday - collected at the other end by our perfect hosts, the Cluanie Inn. A very damp day, but lots of views and smiles nevertheless. Then a wee "warm down" on Sunday up Sgurr an Fhuarail - plodding up through rain and sun and wind into the wildest of blizzards at the top - then back, via lunch in the storm shelter, to the Inn for a well earned coffee and cake.
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