Ridiculous week part 5

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

On the way down Sgurr nan Eugallt, I was slowed down by some noticeable knee pain. This was worrying: it was the metal knee. Had I been overdoing it?

The next morning, despite yet another good weather forecast, I very reluctantly decided I would have to miss out on Aonach Meadhoin, the target for the day. I decided to console myself with a trip to Glen Affric. I have never been there before but had heard a lot about its beauty. Would it be a disappointment after the hype I'd heard about it?

In fact, my expectations were not met. They were greatly surpassed.

First glimpse of Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

IMG_8212 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Second glimpse was just as good

IMG_8260 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

A wider view. Is being on drugs like this?

IMG_8267 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Down by the loch shore, stumps of Scots Pines

IMG_8286 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Another stump

IMG_8295 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Never been to Canada...

IMG_8303 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Some nice little stepping stones

IMG_8324 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I reached the car park. The river nearby was a fine sight.

IMG_8371 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_8374 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Snows high above the pines

IMG_8455 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

More picture-postcard views as I did a there-and-back walk along the southern shore of Loch Affric

IMG_8471 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I noticed these two white ponies grazing near Affric Lodge. Later, waking along, I heard voices saying hello to me: it turned out to be two young women riding these ponies bareback: apparently it was the horses' first ride out of the spring season.

IMG_8475 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

An Tudair through the trees

IMG_8494 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Toad on Road

IMG_8506 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Beinn Fhada and a glimpse of one of the Five Sisters (not sure which one)

IMG_8519 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Creag Coire nan Each (horses' corrie? - named after the ponies?!), An Tudair and Mam Sodhail

IMG_8525 - Copy by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Sgurr na Lapaich and a creepy-looking tree

IMG_8538 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I did a shorter walk along the north shore of the loch (knee really hurting now)

IMG_8555 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Limping back to the car park, one last shot of the Loch Affric

IMG_8573 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

And a last one of Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

IMG_8683 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The river, near the Dog Falls

IMG_8694 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Plodda Falls. Great waterfall, but watch out for potholes if you drive to it!

IMG_8712 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Loch Ness looking almost surreally serene and still

IMG_8741 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Urquhart Castle and some monster reflections

IMG_8740 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I met the other guys at the Cluanie Inn after they'd climbed Aonach Meadhoin. I also realised that my knee was starting to feel a little better!

I got a couple of evening shots of Druim Shionnach

IMG_8747 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

And Aonach air Chrith

IMG_8745 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

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[Beery Hiker]

Nice to see that you managed to put the "rest" day to productive use - some of these are just as impressive as the mountain ones.