A couple of hours playing on steep limestone after taking the dogs for a wander over Birkrigg Common. Polished footholds and sharp fingery finger holds seem to be the main features of this suntrap; a great little crag for blowing forearms on!
Saturday 23rd August - Corney Fell
As Bruce had a poorly foot and was under doctor's orders to rest, Sue and I took Dugal for an afternoon dash from the Corney Fell road. Intending to walk west onto Black Combe, the grey sky and cold wind decided for us; we turned east and up past Paddy Crag onto Buckbarrow Crag. After a quick munch and brew, we walked off, around Backbarrow and toward Guide crag, but ever stronger wind and rain caused yet another change of plan; we ran back to car and home to see how Bruce was coping... (he was, of course, fine. But we had to make certain...)
Sunday 17th August - Coniston from below...
Paul and Sue; rain, sun, wind and more rain at Brown Howe, Coniston.
Gentle paddle across to the islands, Sue improving all the time but somewhat bemused by the sudden appearance of a divers mask. More so when Paul decided to chase fish rather than complete his roll!
"Please don't make me do anything horrible.....!"
August 9th & 10th - Sunshine in Scotland (well, for a while)
Up to Sue's folks on the Clyde coast for the weekend; what better than a walk along the coast between Portencross and Hunterston to raise an appetite after the drive. Beautiful sunset which the camera really didn't do justice!
Arran from Portencross
Portencross Castle and the Cumbraes across Fairlie Roads
Portencross Castle is said to be the last mainland resting place of Scottish kings, from the time of Kenneth MacAlpine until Malcolm Canmore; their bodies were brought to be ferried from Portencross for burial on Iona. The castle as seen today was rebuilt in the 14th century, on the rocky promontory overlooking Arran.
Sunset across the Clyde
After spending Saturday doing some Glasgow culture (no, really - the Hunterian Museum and Galleries), shops and restaurants, Sunday was to be a little more challenging... After detours around the bottom of Loch Lomond, we eventually arrived in Arrochar at lunchtime so, reasonably, stopped for lunch at a roadside diner where Sue went for the local delicacy - haggis in a bun. Nice. Perhaps.
The new path up toward Ben Arthur (aka The Cobbler) is steep gravel, zigzagging up through forest - with plenty of raspberries to ease the monotony. Soon enough the path opens onto the hillside and the distinctive rock peaks of The Cobbler come into view. At least they do if the mist and clouds lift, which, thankfully they did.
Out of the woods...
The three peaks of the Cobbler from the Nairnan Boulders
The clouds were sent scurrying by ever-increasing winds and while the views improved the temperature fell and occasional showers whipped through. We weren't going to be spending long on the top!
Bog Asphodel below The Cobbler
Sue, just about keeping her feet and looking across the "Arrochar Alps"
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