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My day off from flying. So went flying!! Met Kim's mum for morning coffee in Dundee in glorious winter sun.
Fantastic week of hillwalking and tandeming in the Cairngorms, Torridon and Skye, using the motorhome to its full advantage and "following the weather". It just so happens that for the second year running the weather took us the pretty much the best places it possibly could have. We feel very lucky.
EOSM Team lunch - in Plockton!! Exciting flight under the clouds, through Glen Coe to the west coast at Arisaig, then north to Plockton. Flown expertly by Kim - with Gordon and Jill alongside. Then home for tea...
Watchng the Tour de France flash through the Yorkshire Dales
SNAC runners photoshoot for Sharon Douglas at the 18 mile point of the Edinburgh marathon.
Impromptu jolly up Blencathra.
Headed south to visit the North - fascinating Beamish Museum, Wellhouse Farm campsite, The Angel of the North and er, even a quick stop by at the Metro Centre!
Two days of leisurely flying with Kim and Richard in glorious sunshine, camping at Glenforsa airfield on Mull, with a late afternoon jolly to Iona. Back the next day via Gigha for a bbq lunch on the beach and a quick drop-in on Strathaven to see that house again!
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....
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