Set off early as the forcast was for sunshine at 0900



The sky was looking good already with glimpses of amber edging the hills ahead
A'Chrois and Vane

IMGP0070 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0071 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
A little further up the sun was peering out from behind the Lomond Hills

IMGP0073 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
This was useful as it pointed the way ahead


IMGP0074 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
The views were pleasant enough surrounding me

IMGP0076 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0077 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0078 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
The view of the Dam was particularly fine

IMGP0079 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
Elected to wear my crampons as I reached the cave, as the path up had been quite a challenge

Strode on up taking in all around me. The Ice sculpture and the animal tracks.

IMGP0082 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0083 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
The route ahead

IMGP0090 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
Watching the cloud build up over Vorlich and through the gaps to the back. Was it to be glorious all day ?

IMGP0089 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0091 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0093 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
Not looking good, the wind was steadily increasing and the sky was darkening

IMGP0094 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
The summit reached and the snow was starting to fall from the wind swept and swirling clouds

IMGP0098 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
As quick as it appeared, it vanished with blue skies shining through

IMGP0101 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0102 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0106 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0107 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
Fuelled by caffeine and- excuse the use of Talking Heads lyrics, 'living on nuts and berries' I headed for the path back down, the same one I had blazed on the way up

Some more of Natures' Art Work

IMGP0111 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

IMGP0112 by BoydBlair, on Flickr
Met a few other intrepid explorers on the way down, out to sample all my sunshine

I did mention at the top of this report- a sting in the tail. Happy-Happy -Joy -Joy day was turned on its head by 4 idiots According to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code all dogs should be under strict control on a lead- a couple of walkers I met were following this to the letter. But, just on a rise beside the Generator bounded a sheep with a Golden Retriever in hot pursuit. Right in front of me the dog sank its teeth into the rear of the sheep getting a mouthful of wool and carried on the pursuit towards the river. Around the bend strolls two 'men' and their 'wives' calling for their dog. I sort of lost the plot with the clowns, especially as the 'Head Balloon' refused to believe his timid little doggie wouldn't do such a thing

As in the title, I was glad I hadn't taken my dogs as they might have been embarrassed for the Retreiver as it's owners were f**king useless. I hope the farmer had a view of this and shot the owners and not the dog, although I fear the dog may have had its own problems- sad to say
