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Having cruelly mocked Stretch on Facebook after he lamented the fact he had to work on a sunny day. i felt i had to get out and climb something. Having spent a good chunk of the morning watching the Russian rugby team do their country proud in defeat against the Italians, i ummed and ahhhhed for a while before i recalled Graeme mentioning Ben Vrackie the other week at the WH meet.
I've passed Pitlochry a fair few times since starting walking, but up until recently i'd scoffed and dismissed it. It was always "just a Corbett" after all. I'm not quoting anyone, but i could be
Only just over an hours drive and less than 50miles from home, i never realised it was so close and convenient. I didn't even leave my house til after 1:30. Passed through some low cloud and rain between Perth and Dunkeld, but back to blue skies at Pitlochry.
Parked up and set off about 3. Straight forward walk, followed the WH route so i'll try to keep teh words to a minimum.
- Stumbpled across this guy on the way up. The wonderfully named burrowing beetle [i]Nicophorus investigator[/i].
Nicophorus investigatorDisappointed i'd ignored Ben Vrackie so long. Nice looking hill.
Quite a cold breeze blowing, and the rain came on as i crossed over by Loch a' Choire. Relating to a thread over in the general section, a Tornado was out for a bit of a fly-by.
- Tornado
Thought that was my fill of the sunshine, but there were fantastic views of the sun coming through the cloud to the west over Loch Tummel as i was ascending the steep section.
CLoud descended and the wind picked up. I spent some time chatting to a guy who'd overtaken my on the way up as he prepared for his descent. As if by magic, when we parted ways and i went up to grab a summit pic the cloud cleared.
- Ben Vrackie summit and view south.
The clouds may have cleared and the rain gone, but the icy wind was still there and it looked like more cloud was on teh way so i didn't hang about and headed back down.
I heard the sound of another plane. as i walked round Loch a' Choire. Didn't sound like a Tornado, and when i saw it i recognised the unmistakable shape of the Eurofighter. Wasn't quick enough with my camera though, this was the best i could do.
- Squint and you can see it!
Coming down the ealach path to the main path i was rewarded with one of the best rainbows i've ever seen. Pictures don't do it justice. The primary rainbow was dazzling, and the secondary was nice and bright too.
- Last views as i headed back towards the trees.
A short day's walk but a good one. I'll definitely be revisiting Ben Vrackie. The only question left was should i hit the Moulin Inn for tea and one of their fine ales? I resisted the urge knowing i had a steak defrosting at home.