Bournemouth

Work with LV= takes me down to Bournemouth several times a year and this May two weeks in a row. I don't generally get much time for leisure but managed an hour long run along the sea front on a glorious sunny evening.

Scurry Along The Esk

Another ramping up of distance run with this low key race reaching 15 miles. A mix of old railway tracks and the Penicuik estate this was a very pleasant route although there was light drizzle most of the time. Took around 2.5 hours at a slow easy pace with walking up the steep bits.

Bike from Ballachulish to Salen

Fabulous ride from Ballachulish to Coran Ferry and then onwards to Salen. The weather turned for the last hour with some very heavy rain but the early bits of the ride were lovely. Cherry picked me up at Salen and we drove home on a loop via Glenfinnan. We'd been running into motor bike trials all week and today was the worst in terms of heavy bike and support crew on the roads making the drive quite unpleasant.

Enjoyed some great dinners during the week at the Laroch Inn and the Hotel by the Loch in Ballachulish.

Hidden Valley

With overnight snow covering all the munro peaks in the morning a summit attempt wasn't happening. Instead we both headed to Glencoe for a walk up the hidden valley. There was a steep ascent up to a very high and hidden hanging valley with a wide flat floor. 

MTB Ride to Fort William and Neptune's Staircase

Another fabulous ride. Followed quite roads from Ballachulish to Kinlochleven and enjoyed coffee and egg roll at the Ice Factor. Then a tough climb up to West Highland Way trail towards Fort William. Going was pretty tough but fine. Took the road route at just beyond the half way point rather than continue on the West Highland Way (although would probably stick to the WHW if doing it again). Had a very nice lunch at the new bistro at Neptunes Staircase.

Bike & Hike but no summit

Headed by bike in the morning with the intention of bagging two munros sitting just behind North Ballachulish. Plans were thwarted first by forestry works which blocked the route I had intended that would approach via the col between the peaks. Was forced onto another route which was steep scree in parts. On arriving at the high ground the rain and clouds had closed in with next to no visibility. With some complex high terrain and a tricky descent I called it a day and didn't attempt the find the summit. Oddly - I enjoyed the walk today more that the first day.

No pics with the poor weather.

Cycle from Ballachulish to Oban

The official cycle route number 78 provided a very nice offroad route from the cottage down to Oban a distance of 37 miles. Weather was fabulous and the views stunning. Cherry drove down to meet me for lunch and a wander around Oban. Great day out.

Sgor Na h-Ulaidh

On Sunday morning Colin headed out for some Munro bagging. Cherry dropped Colin off near the Glencoe visitor centre and it was a fairly steep slog up the hill and a very steep and slightly unpleasant descent off the hill. The weather started fine but the clouds and hail closed in just when I was approaching the summit and then cleared again just as quickly. This was hard work and not a massively pleasant climb.

Holiday at Ballachulish

Colin and Cherry headed off to the Highlands for a week long break in a wee cottage in the village of Ballachulish near Glencoe. We drive up on Saturday and were hit by traffic jams on the approach to Stirling. Got into the cottage late afternoon with time for a gentle stroll at sunset.

The Zoo with Max and Taylor

Taylor was over to Scotland for a short break having just finished her studies and Max was celebrating his birthday. His present was a trip to Edinburgh Zoo and dinner in the evening at the Rabbit Hole.