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Drinking in the morning sun, blinking in the morning sun, shaking off a heavy one.....ah Elbow. Fabulous. Yes, that was me on Sunday morning. Sun streaming through the window, rousing me from a weird dream and into the fog of a hangover. I lay in bed trying to decide whether to spend the day slobbing around in my dressing gown, swearing never to drink again, or get out for some fresh air. I chose the latter, pushed the other half out of bed and quickly ran round the house like a dervish getting our stuff together. A quick plan was formed - head off down to do Meall Chuaich as Peter hadn't done it before and it's relatively short and easy (he is knocking on a bit after all...), and then swing in to the Mountain Cafe on the way home for some post hangover, post walking nosh. It was already half nine in the morning, so no time to spare the horses. Only we forgot about the average speed cameras
so a steady pace was set and we parked up in a busy layby 94 by 10.30. The day was as beautiful in Dalwhinnie as when we left Inverness. Coldish, but sunny and not a drop of wind. This weekend last year I was skiing in the Cairngorms
We climbed the gate and set off at a good pace along the track and we were soon at the left hand path to start the climb. The last time I did this hill it was pretty easy to negotiate the bogs, but this time round, it was a complete bog fest. We hopped, skipped, jumped, pole-vaulted
, cursed and slipped our way up the shoulder, stopping frequently to take photo's of the stunning views opening up behind us towards Loch Ericht and Ben Alder. The colours were stunning. Hard to believe we were nearing the end of November. We continued the climb - the going now a bit dryer - out of puff and dehydrated, enjoying the grouse jumping out here and there. Time for some fluids and scooby snacks. We found a nice boulder to sit on and just sat for about half an hour looking at the scene before us. We are truly blessed to live where we do. Aware of time, we packed our flasks away and continued eastwards towards our goal for the day. The heather soon turned to boulders and it got a bit steep again, so we were soon huffing and puffing once more, but forgot about our sore legs when we spotted a mountain hare, then another, then another! All in their white winter coats (like me, wondering where the flipping snow was),
so very easy to spot.
It was pretty cold by the time we got to the cairn. We'd climbed to the summit with just a fleece on, but once we sat down for our summit lunch, it was time to cover up
Once more fuel was on board, we wandered around the top for ages taking in the most wonderful views all around. This hill might be a bit of a featureless lump, but what it lacks in beauty, it more than makes up for as an excellent viewpoint. Well, when there's not a cloud in sight!
After a quick time check, and much rolling of the eyes about the boggy return, we decided to head off down the other side of Stac Meall Chuaich, which would take us to the far side of Loch Cuaich. We made our way down to the right of a small stream, and followed it down, stopping every now and then to watch a hare bound around here and there! Love it when the wildlife put on a show for us!! It was pretty steep and we had to hang on to the heather in bits, but it was nice and springy so gave good going - and drier than on the way up! We were down at the bottom before we knew it. By now it was well after three and the sun was getting low. The colours were stunning. I've said that before, I know. But they were. I pulled my camera out of the side pocket of the rucksack to take yet another beautiful photo - but as I did, it flew away into mid air and plopped right into a deep bit of bog. I have no idea how. Sleeve rolled up, face screwed up, I eventually managed to retrieve it, but it was goosed and the memory card corrupted.
Gutted just doesn't cover it. How often do you get up a hill and are gifted a perfect panorama? No cloud, no haze, just clear, crisp Autumn sunshine? Please take my word for it - my photo's would've been shamazing (in the voice of Nicole Scherzinger).
By now in a foul mood, we tramped along, crossing the burn a couple of times and followed the deer fence down to the loch and then through the gate onto the track for the loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong walk back to the car.
- many have said it before, this is a great wee hill, but biking to the bothy is the way forward. Yes sirree.
Back at the car, despite drowning the camera in a watery peat bog and not having any photo's, we both agreed it was an excellent day out. We'd blown away the hangover, enjoyed some magnificent scenery, saw lots of hares and grouse and got some exercise. A quick u-turn on the A9 and we headed off for Aviemore deciding whether to have the coffee cake or carrot cake. It was a difficult decision let me tell you.
