Well here goes for my first report!
The weather on Sunday was magical, even as soon as you walked away from the car there was something fine to look at.


I was a happy man ambling up the hillside in the sunshine taking in the fantastic views all around me. I don't think I'd ever had as good a view of the hills around that area...and I wasn't even half way up at that point. Then came the bogs! They've been mentioned in a few reports so I won't drone on about them but gaitors are I must on this walk I think.


Leaving the wetlands behind, the path steepened as I approached the south top. I was completely bowled over when I walked over the rise to have a view all around as far as my eyes could see. Superb!.



I had a plod across the ridge through the crusty snow briefly stopping to talk to a fella that was planning to do the West Highland way in one go for charity. Hat's off..I'm worried about completing it in 8 days



and up to the summit where I spent the most pleasant half hour in complete silence sitting by the cairn myself no-one else in sight.
It's great to stop and have a chat with folk on the hills but I must admit having this spot to myself for a short time was fantastic.


After a lovely wee spot of tea and a bit of birthday cake left over from the day before I started on my way back down. All the way down I passed folk trudging up and remembering how depressing it was going through the bogs it was nice to be able to pass on the info about the view at the top to try and encourage the weary looking ones to keep going.
I also found out whilst picking a way back down through the marshes that I could have been a match for any body poppers out there. You know the feeling. No warning......one foot slides......poles fly everywhere like you've just been shot...you do your Lee Evans impersonation and then it's all over..only to go through the same thing 5 minutes later....


That behind me it was a pleasant walk back down through the farm to arrive back at the car with soaking backside, burnt napper but a huge grin on my face!
Bring on next weekend.

I've only used a small compact camera so I'd appreciate some feedback on what camera gear folk carry with them to take the superb shots you see on the site.

Cheers for now!