A wild sea

A boxing day walk. It was wild watching the sea stirred up by the wind and coming over the wall.

So this is Christmas

Hope you all have a good one.

Winter Sunrise in the Pentlands

Yesterday was spent in town, allegedly for a bit of shopping but I didn't do much.    I made sure I got to bed fairly early though because I wanted to be out this morning.  It was certainly worth it!  When I got up it was still just about dark but looking out of the window I caught sight of a clear sky, stars still twinkling out there.

I got dressed quickly and out the door.  The car thermometer showed it was just above freezing as I climbed up to Fairmilehead and then turned up an icy road to Hillend, jumped out and started up the hill.  It was dawn twilight, a moon still sitting bright above the hills.  Cold too until the climb warmed me up.

The moon was still bright above the hills and as I climbed higher I encountered more and more snow.  Over my left shoulder to the east the sky was starting to crackle with gold.  This was going to be special, the mix of snow and sunrise had me almost aroused as I went higher, anticipating what I would soon see.

It was wonderful snow underfoot - crisp but not sloppy - and I soon got up the the ridge.  A runner went past me.  I said hello and went back to taking photos of the sunrise, captivating now as the warn rays turned the snow orange. 

Stunned by what I was watching I even took a video...forgive my repetitive drivel but I was loving the scene.



Then I continued along the ridge.  Today in these conditions it would be all the way to Allermuir.  I would stay out here as long as I could soaking in these views.  The crescent moon above all this snow was wonderful.

Over Caerketton and then through Windy Gap before climbing up to Allermuir.  At the trig point I stopped for a while rattling through more photos.  The pictures never do justice to the hills but I kept trying to capture what I was seeing  -  the clean fresh snow, warm golden sun. 

 


Over the the north the Ochils then the bigger hills of Perthshire, Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin distinctive shapes on the horizon.




A nice final pull up to the top.

On the way up I was passed again by a guy running, with kit that had orientering club writing on it.  We greeted each other and agree that the day was glorious.

The viewpoint plaque was crusty with frost.

The main ridge of the Pentlands - Turnhouse, Carnethy, Scald Law were all white with snow.  Smooth and perfect with a moon above.

The barbed wire fence was also frosted, beautiful patterns of crystal hanging from it. 

Eventually I turned and wanting to keep my height and the views i stayed on the ridge as I retraced my steps along the tops and then down in snow that let me bound, leaping through softness and heather.  Wonderful.  ALL THE PHOTOS ARE HERE

With La Maroma and Blaven one of my best days this year.

Probably my last trip in these hills this year.  Christmas is coming which will be tough this year with my Dad in hospital and his mind who knows where.

Allermuir

That was yesterday on Ben A'an

Last weekend I had not had my usual weekly walk in the Pentlands.  I was down visiting my parents.  My Dad is now in the hospital in a ward specialising in dementia care.  It is hard to see him there and my mum just wants him home but it is probably the best place for him to be at the moment.  It will make Christmas a bit strange. 

It is a horrible disease but perhaps he is suffering less than we are.  He is amid his own world, his own realities and our worries and concerns are not featured in them.  I hope he is relatively happy in his worlds.

This morning I was awake and feeling pretty fresh, keen to get up and play in the snow on the Pentlands.  Yesterday's hills were clear in my mind and I was looking forward to similar fun in the local hills.  All the snow had melted though!  I saw it was all gone as got to Fairmilehead then up to park at Hillend.  Never mind.

I wandered up the hill at an easy pace.  Behind me the streetlights were still on across Edinburgh.

streetlights still on in Edinburgh

To the east it was gloomy and dark - no spectacular sunrises today.  It was warmer too, while it was windy it was not unpleasant on the tops.  The usual guy was walking towards me at the usual spot and he said hello.  I like the routine.



I walked the usual route, passing familiar personal landmarks, cairns and fences.  I know these hills well and I enjoy that closeness.

Allermuir looking down to Glencorse Reservoir

I went right along the tops all the way to Allermuir, with its views down to the reservoir.  I enjoyed being up there.  It felt easy today and as ever I was grateful for the time and space at the start of the week to think things through.

What will the next week bring?

I was back in trail shoes today by the way.  Yesterday in the snow I had worn boots for the first time in ages and I had forgotten how uncomfortable they are, how they make me so much less agile.  It was good to be back in something light and bendy

Snow on Ben A'an

I was supposed to be seeing Colin for a massage this morning, but his diary had got confused so we had to rearrange.  Instead I had a nice bath and a big breakfast.  A good and relaxing morning.

There was a good fall of snow last night though and I was keen to get out and enjoy it.  The idea was to head up to the Trossachs for a quick trip up Ben A'an.  We were up against the clock though with it going dark so early.

Heading up the motorway we were going through fog and it didn't lift really until we were on the shores of Loch Venachar.  The car park for Ben A'an was not accessible - a tree had come down in Thursday's storm so we parked with a couple of other cars on the road and headed up the familiar path.

I know this route well, but in the snow still managed to take a wrong turn, following footprints....Eventually the approaching night caught up with us.  We didn't have time to get to the top and back down, so we jsut took a few photos at the flat bit before the final steep steps / waterfall climby up part. 



We took a few photos and then it was back down.

Everything was beautiful - snow hanging off the trees.  It was a shame not to see Ben Venue through mist, but still just great to be outside.  I simply love being outdoors in the hills.

windy

It was a bit windy in Scotland today.  I am not sure if there was a wee bit of an over-reaction or if it was all justified but the whole country seemed to shut down.  We were effectively sent home from work at about 230pm.  The police had imposed a warning such that you were not supposed to travel between 2pm and 9pm so I think work felt that they couldn't really encourage people to be out and about.

The roads were really quiet, but it was exhilerating to walk home, fast clouds shooting across an almost full moon, gusts banging me about with frightening force.  Exciting stuff.

Interesting too how the storm was quickly christened Huricane Bawbag via Twitter.

Alistair links to some good photos of the storm.

and this made me smile

Further Review of the Paramo Men's Mountain Pull On

I  mentioned the other day that I had been offered a base layer to test from Go Outdoors and I had chosen the Paramo Men's Mountain Pull On.

The other Sunday morning I put it on for my usual constitutional up around
 the Pentlands.  I put some photos of that walk up here and here is a favourite:

Anyway, I was wearing the new top and thought I would do a short video to show you the Paramo top:



To summarise:

• very well made  -  this feels like quality kit
• it feels great next to the skin
• I like pit zips
• make sure you get one that is snug in its fitting - this one is probably too big for me.
• there is no zip protector so  be careful not to catch your chest hair in the zip.

The Paramo Mens Mountain Pull On - I like it!

The full range of Paramo clothes is available at Go Outdoors here.

Home

I am away for a couple of days on family stuff, so a couple of photos from last weekend.