by raykilhams » Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:59 pm
Date walked: 01/01/2014
Distance: 10 km
Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I can't remember for how many years that my wife and I have begun the new year with a walk to the Corrie Fee. In the 1970's along with our two boy's , we would hike up to the waterfall at the far end of the corrie , in the 1980's our family had grown and so six of us ( the two of us plus two boys and two girls) would bundle into the car and make the drive to the corrie . Some years it would be snowing , others raining , sometimes a hard frost would cover the ground ( my favourite time for walking) while at other times the weather would be unseasonally warm. I can still remember many years ago one new years day when I fell head first into a pool in the river , much to the amusement of my family ( they still remind me of it) and I had to remove my wet trousers and put Arlenes on , she just removed her fleece and wore it like a skirt ....happy days.
Some years we would take our parents and other family members or just close friends , we would laugh together , gaze with wonder at the shapes and formation of the mountains and enjoy numerous goodies....always happy and fun times.
Now with the passing of the years our parents and a number of our friends have passed away , our children have moved away to make their own lives with their own families , but we still make what is like an annual pilgrimage back to the corrie . Our parents and deceased friends are still with us , not physically , but in our hearts and minds , and as we walk through the corrie time stands still and I can still hear their voices , see their faces , and hear their laughter .......... the corrie is just so atmosphreric at this time of year and coupled with deep.... intense memories....... it just keeps calling us back and one can almost hear the haunting melody of Auld Lang Syne with its heartfelt lyrics playing on the light wind .... Some places just do that to you , maybe you too have have your own special place , sentimental ?...maybe ...possibly.... but....so unashamedly human. It makes you stop and think deeply about your life and how truly wonderful life is , and what an absolutely stunning and beautiful country Scotland is . Yes ' the moving finger writes and having written moves on' , we can't stop it , but boy we can enjoy it .....so I wish all Walkhighlanders happy walking /climbing for 2014 .....so what are you waiting for , put those boots and gaiters on , get that backpack ( with its goodies in) on your back and get out there , experience what it is to live and look on , at the truly uplifting and inspiring country that surrounds us.... and we are part of.
