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With my knee still playing silly buggers and ruining my summer, I decided to turn the Inchnadamph meet into a wee holiday in Assynt and join in the meet for some much needed banter.
I’ll put a disclaimer in here – there are a LOT of photos. The combination of Assynt and a new camera was too much to resist. In my defence I whittled it down from over 400
Thursday 28th July - a Tale of Wet FeetAfter a long and drawn out process of packing the car (camping stuff, clothes, bike and walking stuff just in case, food and many other things that I might need...
) I was finally ready to go! Leaving Glasgow just before 1, the tunes were on and Gruinard Bay my target. Heading up the A9 the weather was perfect for First Officer Jaxter, this time Captain of her own ship and in charge of her own destiny
After a brief refuel in Inverness for both myself and Blondie (my trusty yellow steed), the roads opened out as we headed for Ullapool. This was the first time I had driven these roads myself and they are truly a joy. The sun was still shining and we stopped for several photos along the way.
Loch Glasgarnoch
DSC00003Finally arriving at my target just after Gruinard bay, I quickly packed all my stuff into a rucksack and clambered up the small grassy mound to my camp spot. Chucking the stuff on the ground, I looked out to sea and let out a huge "whoop!!" into the evening
An Teallach and the Coigach ridge peeking out
DSC00008 Several new toys were in play this evening, and I erected the first, my Vango Helix, quickly and got my things tidied up. After a few photos, dinner was on and I was able to enjoy it with a fantastic view.
The formalities sorted, I was able to settle down on the rug with my guitar and a hot chocolate. A regular hippie!
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DSC00007Fisherfield Corbetts
DSC00014 However, things were all going too smoothly. Standing up for a wander around, I discovered a hole full of water, which led to another discovery - trail shoes are not at all waterproof...
Soon after this, it started to rain so guitar and I, along with expensive new camera and other non-waterproof gear made a dash for the tent, where we remained as midges followed the rain!
Still, better in a tent in the highlands than at home alone, and I went to bed a very happy bunny
A few moody evening snaps in between showers
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DSC00035 Friday 29th July – A tale of Beaches, Sore Knees and Moody ViewsAlthough I was in no hurry to get up, a lie in rarely happens in a tent especially when there is wind and rain lashing the outside of it! However, with the light returned I was able to enjoy a rare treat of lying in bed with a book! The rain did stop fairly soon as well, so I headed outside to make breakfast (lukewarm porridge on a plate as I'd left my bowl in the car
) and enjoy the views as the rain was gone for now at least, and there was a breeze keeping the midges at bay. My plans for the day didn't go far beyond travelling up to Inchnadamph with a bit of exploring along the way. Relaxing
Finally deciding to make my way north, I packed up and descended to the car. It was much more difficult on the way down and there were some interesting moments (I was informed several days later that there was an easier way down the other side...
)
Heading round the corner, I went to explore Gruinard bay itself. I had a wander along the beach to test out my knee and climbed over a few rocks round to the next beach. At this point I could feel a twinge so stopped to enjoy the views before heading back.
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DSC00069 Posing in front of some Fannichs
DSC00073 Making my way up the road, I headed for Ullapool, where Google informed me that there was a shop that would sell me some waterproof socks as I'd left mine at home. Several unnecessary items, socks and a kite later, I hit the road
DSC00076 Here the weather took a significant turn for the worse, although there were moments of respite and there were plenty of photo stops along the way.
DSC00087 I made a brief stop at the beach near Ardvreck castle to try out my kite, however it's harder than it looks and a group of fishermen were laughing at me
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DSC00095 I headed for Inchnadamph where I was the first there, so headed for a shower and went back downstairs to find friends old and new arriving. The evening was spent with wonderful company and great banter
Saturday 30th July - a Tale of Pies and Pottery The weather was foul, and with the knee keeping me out of action this was a perfect chance to head for Lochinver and the famous pie shop. Although most people were heading for wet and claggy hills or wet and claggy coastal walks, Keith was keen to visit Lochinver so after the masses had left, we jumped into his van and headed down the road.
First port of call was the Highland stoneware pottery, a place I had never heard of but Keith had had a lengthy association with.
DSC00099 Our pockets a little lighter, we took Bear for a walk along the front before heading to the pie shop, the famous Lochinver Larder where we selected our pies and retreated to the van for shelter.
These pies really are the best ever, no trip to Assynt should be without a visit to the pie shop!
Enjoying our pie induced food coma, we debated on our next move - a drive round the coastal road was the decision, so after picking up Lynne's poppadums in the Spar, we headed on a beautiful tour of beaches, coastal views and a quick detour to the Kylesku bridge.
Bear photobombing Clashnessie Bay
DSC00107 Beautiful coastal views
DSC00111 Seal at Kylesku
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DSC00121 Looking up Loch Glendhu
DSC00125 Deer at Inchy
DSC00129 We arrived back at Inchnadamph somewhat drier than the walkers and prepared for the evenings merriment. With no Dooterbang to hold us back
Keith and I led (or were led) to a victory in the quiz!
The winning team - Dave, Penny, Keith, Alex, myself & Martin!
IMG_20160731_240652284 The celebrations afterwards were long and somewhat fuzzy as I made a new friend, single malt
Those that were there will remember the party. Those that weren't missed out!
Sunday 31st July - a Tale of Jaxter's First BothyWith the next few days up for grabs, I had no firm plans. Before all the merriment the night before, I had seen maps out and wandered over the see what was going on. By lucky chance, Alan, Martin and Steve were heading for a Bothy adventure for the next two days and were happy for me to tag along (or were too polite to say no…
)
I was to follow them up the road a few hours later once the effects of the previous evening had worn off
I joined Keith and Darren for a very welcome eggs on toast and multiple cups of tea before the weather brightened. A very enjoyable few hours later, it was time for me to hit the road – Durness here I come
Loch Glendhu
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DSC00145 Foinaven and Arkle, hiding
DSC00150 With the weather improved, there were multiple photo stops before reaching Durness where the weather unfortunately turned dramatically and I found myself driving through wind and rain.
Suddenly clearer at the tip of Loch Eriboll
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DSC00162 I found the other’s cars and a note with the bothy coordinates. The midges were out so a very swift pack and map check saw me heading down the track in my waterproofs on the first proper walk in a month!!
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DSC00175 I arrived to find a roaring fire and some fantastic company in Alan, Martin and Steve and we passed a fantastic evening together. My first bothy night was not a disappointment!
Monday 1st August - a Tale of Beaches and SunsetsThe forecast dictated our next plans – to head for Sandwood Bay; a dream of mine for many years was about to come to fruition! I was assured that the walk in was on a good path and my knee was feeling good. We made our separate ways to Durness, stopping for photos along the way.
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DSC00201 At Durness we made a visit to the famous Cocoa Mountain for chocolatey goodness before heading for Sandwood
Foinaven and Arkle now clear!
DSC00203 However, things were again going too smoothly, and this was remedied by a cattle grid – suddenly my front right wheel was making a very dodgy noise – I pulled in immediately to find a flat tyre…typical. Fortunately I had 3 strong men on hand to help me out with the bolts and we were on our way again
Sandwood Bay lived up to every expectation I had and I’ll let the photos do the talking…
DSC00209 First glimpse
DSC00211 One of the best camp spots ever and the view from it!
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DSC00218 Heading down for the sunset
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DSC00238 Steve trying to get to his ideal photography spot…across a river
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DSC00286 Getting artsy…
DSC00293 Jaxter at Sandwood!
DSC00309 Fire time – Alan and Martin warming themselves
DSC00315 Awoke for the sunset at 5.30 to find a herd of sheep outside the tent :O
DSC00319 So I climbed up a wee grassy bump to escape the sheep
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DSC00347 Getting artsy again…
DSC00358 Sandwood in the morning sunshine
DSC00384 Goodbye Sandwood – I’ll be back!
DSC00393 Assynt skyline
DSC00401 Tuesday 2nd August – a Tale of Pinky on PollyThe next morning heralded the parting of the ways – Martin was away early, Alan was heading for another bothy and Steve and I were headed home.
On the road and treated to this!!
DSC00402 Stunning Quinag
DSC00405 Magnificent Suilven
DSC00412 My first stop was Lochinver – I had pies to buy! I enjoyed one for lunch in the sun whilst poring over maps, as there were also decisions to be made…and more pies were piled into my coolbag for the journey home where there was a certain person who I knew would appreciate them
A pie with a view
DSC00413 As the weather was so fantastic I decided to take the slow road to get the views of the Assynt mountains and relive some very happy memories
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DSC00428 However, I got to the Stac Pollaidh car park and somehow I must have lost control of the car because before I knew it I was parked and heading up the path
Knee be damned, I was going to climb a mountain this holiday, and I just couldn’t resist wee Polly
Taking my time I made my way up to the ridge. I could feel my knee but I’d come too far to go back now… scrambling round the side to the first summit I was finally on top of the world! Posing for the camera I realised how colour coordinated I was…
Pinky on Polly!
DSC00438 I wasn’t bothered about summiting properly as I’d been there before, so figured I’d scramble along the ridge until I got bored….as if – reaching the final scramble I took a few deep breaths, clambered up the sloping rock, through the gap and there it was – the top! Despite lots of people on the path up to the ridge it was completely deserted here – I had Polly all to myself and I couldn’t have been happier
Jaxter’s back!!
DSC00441 Jenga cairn
DSC00444 Coigach and Fiddler
DSC00446 Fabulous Assynt
DSC00448 It was a long way home, so I slid my way down the gully to the path where I limped back to the car, slightly sore but absolutely exhilarated
Majestic Polly waving Auf Wiedersehen, not goodbye because I will be back!
DSC00461 Setting off from Polly at 4.15, I arrived back in Glasgow just before 10 in the foulest weather imaginable, but feeling thoroughly refreshed from a wonderful holiday. Thanks to friends old and new for great banter, laughs, dancing and most of all, putting up with me
