Geekette

Sometimes you have some daft ideas…. today, my pal Ellen and I had one – let’s walk to Bridge of Orchy. Yup – sure, could it really be that difficult? It was a lovely day, the sky had (non-threatening) fluffy clouds, blue sky and wind. The chill factor must have been about -10 however, we planned our day…

I met Ellen down the road, and she walked up wearing winter (hmm… ) running bottoms, a zip up top and a fleece.  To give her her due, she did have on walking boots, gloves and a warm head band.  I nearly collapsed laughing, she looked like she was going for a wander round the garden, not a hike for 7 miles in the winter…

We headed off up the West Highland Way from the village, and got up to the water tanks – it was sheet ice – just a bit skittery to say the least… at that point Ellen said “Well, we aren’t turning back now, I would only land on my arse if we had to do that lot going downhill!”  The other turning back moment was meeting two walkers – I asked them if they had walked from Bridge of Orchy – nope – they got “half way” and turned back.  They obviously didn’t know the path very well, because they hadn’t even covered a quarter of the walk, but did say when they sunk into the snow up to their knees, they decided they should turn back.  I did make a comment on how they were using walking poles, and at that moment had the ” Why the hell didn’t I bring mine….” They offered to sell them to us…. however, was more concerned about having money for our lunch and not about buying walking poles from two random walkers… As it transpired, they had walked to the next gate, and yes, the lady walking must have been up to her knees.

We were committed though, and staggered on through drifts of snow…. muttering as we went…. walking poles, walking poles…. we both got stuck, especially where there is no obvious path, however, after a bit of rolling around, we got back to our feet.  Ellen did admit though to getting a bit cold and wet – not wearing the most practical leg wear, let’s be honest here!

The views were stunning and even though the conditions were bitterly cold, we plodded on, and on with huge grins on our faces…. We had the usual “Boy, aren’t we so lucky to live where we do…” conversation! The bonus of walking to Bridge of Orchy is there is a hotel at the end of the walk.  The Bridge of Orchy Hotel is a very warm welcoming place after a hike like that. I did meet on of the locals before we left home – he lives around the Inveroran road.  Ewan said that the hotel was closed, they had burst pipes, I nearly freaked with disappointment.  Then I realised that Ewan was only doing his wind up bit – so gave him hell and then about half way, and up to our knees in snow, I told Ellen that the Hotel was shut due to a burst pipe… I thought she was going to swing for me… hehe *grin*.

I have to say that this walk was one of the best yet.  We have in the last few months been getting out for a good few treks locally, but this walk has to be one of my favourites.

We walked this route a wee while ago, probably about 3 months ago now with Paul and Andy.  I went armed with my camera and again the weather was stunning – no snow, but just lovely.  Imagine my frustration (to say the least) when I went to view a picture I had taken to realise that I didn’t have a memory card in the camera….. aaarrrghhh! Craig, our Internet Manager had been using my camera for work, and the card was sitting all nice and cosy in the slot in the pc, in the office… I was so hacked off, I phoned him – mind you, if he had stepped out the back door of his house, he probably would have heard me all the way to Darvel…. Needless to say, the blame was put entirely on me – I should have checked, any good photographer will make sure they have the memory card, battery, spare battery…. blah, blah, blah… hearing that didn’t make me feel any better, that’s for sure, but I ‘took it on the nose’ as being well and truly my fault. It was at this point of the walk that I took the non-picture that day:

We saw stags on the hill, it was at that point that I was kicking myself for not getting the zoom lens for my Christmas – well, from Ed to me… hopefully going to sort that in the sales in Edinburgh this week though…

Passed the farm, the shepherd had gone along in his 4×4, so walking was a bit better in places.  It did take a while though to click that the bits where he had traction difficulties definitely meant we were too… a few knee jarring moments, skittery slides later, giggling, then the penny dropped! Stay out the bits that a 4×4 struggles in… Getting closer to The Bridge, the views were stunning….

Nearly there…. just got to the gate at the station and there was Kenny, one of the Oban police, standing there with an OS map and binoculars in his hand…. apparently there was a group of climbers who hadn’t moved for a while in the Corrie below Ben Doran, so another climber had called the police to report it as a ‘possible’ problem.  Ellen and I reckon they were having a ‘brew’ and their sandwiches, maybe even a hip flask or two…. anyway, it was a good chance to have a blether with Kenny – I used to go to school with him, so there was a bit of banter back and forwards.  When he and his colleague were driving towards the Bridge of Orchy, he did see Ellen and I walking …. I won’t write what he ACTUALLY said, but it was along the lines of “look at those nutters….” He maybe had a point.  However, the aching bum, knees and legs are testimony to a hard but really enjoyable walk…. It was finished off with coffee and a sandwich in the hotel – I was so tempted to have a whisky, but resisted.  Mum joined us, and drove us home.  Ace.  A superb day with excellent company. Lovely to appreciate what is on your doorstep….

Can’t believe that it has been over 2 months since my last blog entry…. That is shocking.  I would like to make all sorts of excuses, like an alligator ate my laptop, or my cat ate the power cable…. maybe even I was transported to Mars for two months – in actual fact, the latter excuse is probably more like it.

Anyway, where was I? Yes, the last leg of our trip up the west coast of Scotland…. We were right in the middle of our only ’summer’ week that we had this year, very lucky.  Leaving Ullapool, I did say that I wanted to go via the Summer Isles.  For goodness sakes.  If I thought that the road via Sheildaig was bad, this one took the biscuit.  What was I thinking about? Anyway, the  main attractions was the magnificent views, no trees (wonder why that was…) lots of sheep and tons of tourists who were having a tougher job than me concentrating on the narrow less-than-single track roads!!

Blimey, I must have been slightly unhinged suggesting that route – hell mend me though!!

The end of our trip was Lochinver, which we didn’t know was the end of our trip, however, it ended up being the furthest north we went. When we arrived there, and stepped off the bikes, it was like a microwave.  To get there we had taken the ‘wee mad road’ the one that has ‘Don’t follow your sat nav, if you are in an HGV – you will get stuck’ (artistic licence here). Not for the feint hearted, honestly, I wouldn’t take a car down there.  Not many places to turn/reverse.

To say I was shattered by the time I got there was the understatement of the day.  Ed suggested lunch at the local ‘pie shop’, which I thought by what he was saying was going to be a greasy spoon. Nope. It was here. The most lush pie I have ever tasted, all flavours and fillings and by crikey, they’ll post them to you too! (oh dear!)

We found a B&B after lunch…. just on the main road.  It doubles up as a tea-room during the day, and a harder working family you will never meet.  Tigh Lios is a real family business…. they have a first come first served booking system.  Go in the front door and there is a booking sheet. Great, fill it in and that’s you booked!  The only drawback I would say was it was not en-suite, pfft, who cares really, we didn’t meet a single soul on the way to the loo or shower (probably just as well!)

On our wander round town, there was an advert for a comedy show at the village hall. What a brilliant idea.  Do remember at this point it was still about 28 degrees…. so the attraction of sitting in the local steamy was not very attractive… So, what did we do in the meantime? Jumped on Ed’s bike, and went to the beach. Yup, we did.  We plootered up to Auch Melvich Beach. (I think that’s the spelling!) We went in swimming – well, erm, I went in and shot back out again… Ed went in, swam to the rocks and dived back in….. his words from the chilly water was “No sex for a month, dear, my gonads have disappeared!

Ed, whilst he still had gonads...

A wee lie in the sun was needed to warm up. Me, I had a snooze. Read our books then headed back to the village.  We had decided to go back to the ‘pie shop’ for dinner, but just had to go to the pub for a much needed pint before hand. Dinner was ace, lovely wine, but I had a wave of tiredness that hit me like a sledgehammer. I didn’t make it to the comedy show.  Ed went armed with a bottle of wine, I was asleep by 8.45pm – and that is not a typo…. I was wakened up at goodness knows what time with Ed staggering around the bedroom, totally blootered!!

Anyway, less said about that the better.  Ed would murder me if I told the whole story here!

Needless to say, we booked in for another night.  I sent Ed packing back to bed after breakfast the next morning.  I read my book, and once Ed woke, we took a wander to get a phone signal to call Mum…

Friendly locals near the beach!

One of my childhood friends lives in Lochinver, so we spent a couple of hours searching for her – we asked at Highland Stoneware where she lived, and needless to say we got great instructions.  Hilary, and her kids were playing on the beach apparently – we couldn’t find her – she appeared at our B&B at the back of 10 (just back from the beach)…. so, already in bed, we got dressed and went back to the pub. As you do.  It was great catching up and we stayed there until closing time… we were glad we had told her hubbie where we were staying.

The next morning, we headed off the ‘direct route’ home.  Not by the A9, but by the west coast…. it was lovely.  Ed wanted to go by the twisties again, but knew that it would make the run too much for me on the wee Suzuki. A nice run home in plenty time to wash the bikes… yes, I did wash MY bike, amazingly enough.

A cracking, memorable holiday.  I would highly recommend it!!

I went down to Edinburgh last night with hubby and pals.  We all went on our motorbikes, parked up, cocktails, dinner at our favourite Thai restaurant – a great laugh.  On the way back from Dinner last night, Ed said that he was going to organise a demo at the Harley Dealership.  I had to say (again) “What part of ‘I don’t want a Harley’ don’t you understand?”

If Harley Davidson made helicopters, would YOU get in one?

The plan was: Andy get his bike serviced, and I was going to take a F650GS out for a demo.  Up early to beat the traffic wardens, and down to the BMW dealership in Dalkeith.

Coffee was an essential starting point. Ellen admitted to feeling a tad ‘jaded’. Really. Must get more practice, girl! I felt just great.  Stood there, drank my (exceptionally strong) coffee and viewed the bikes, wondering which chariot I was going to go out on for the demo. Things seemed to be going a bit slowly. Hmmm. What was strange, our friend Paul had ridden down to the garage. He had left home at the back of 6 to make sure he was there with us. I just thought, that’s nice, must have needed a good excuse to get out!

So, then I was told that I had to go through with them all to get the demo bike, which was through the back of the garage.  Imagine my shock and amazement when I went in to see a brand, spanking new F650GS with birthday banners, balloons and streamers attached to it! WOW!

My birthday present!

I was stunned and amazed. Paul took a video, which once it downloads sometime in the next century, I will see if I can work out how to add it! Next to it, was Ed’s new bike too…. I knew that he was getting one, and apparently, both bikes had been in the garage for a few weeks, just waiting for today!

It had been the best kept secret in the glen. Everyone knew – the postie (under instructions not to hand me the envelope with my documents in) the office staff and ALL my family and friends.  Sent texts/emails saying ‘woopee’ and all the answers I got back told me that I was the only person that didn’t have a scooby doo!

I had to wait patiently whilst we got the paperwork done. Tick-tock, tick-tock.

Then we were on our way….

Ready for the off on my new steed!

I wasn’t really prepared for the difference between the two bikes.  I had ridden my trusty Suzuki for a few years, and found it hard work on my arms and shoulders.  It is a glorious riding position, and the first thing that I was aware of was how light the bike is and really easy to manoeuvre.

We had to head home as Andy and Ellen had to let the girls out (their chickens) and welcome their guests to their fabby B&B.  The run up was ace.  The roads were busy, and Andy kept us at a steady pace.  It is really, really ace.  What a fantastic (early) birthday present. Spoilt. I can’t wait to get out again and go for a wee blast…. below 5k revs of course!

We wanted to go out again tonight, however, it was not to be.  It started to lash with rain. Damn.

I will look forward to having miles of smiles and hope that my wee Suzuki goes to a good home…..

My Suzuki and Loch Leven

So, part 2 of my birthday was a surprise party, all my pals turned up at the house and were all there when I got back from work… what a surprise – all the party crew from my car club (if you can call it that, but its kind of the best description) and my bestest chums!!!

What was even better was having my new car delivered – I was meant to collect it the day after my birthday – thank goodness I didn’t – I was well hungover!

A week full of surprises and two new toys to play in!!! My second toy:

My JDM FD2

Off to a gift trade show in Harrogate, so yup, it’s the car I will be going in to Englandshire!! Bring on The Beast!