Ben Nevis from Banavie

I haven't written this blog for over three weeks , mainly due to the rush to get things done before Christmas- making cards and sending presents.I have done very little sketching but I have been panting. Above is a picture I painted as a present showing Ben Nevis from Banavie with the reflection of the mountain in the Caledonian canal.
We did do some running over Christmas although the weather wasn't good - strong winds and cold driving rain. All the same it was a very enjoyable few days; it is a shame it goes so fast. Tomorrow I'm back at work with a long stint on call over the New Year.

Recent Paintings

Here's a picture of the canal near Beeleigh painted from a photo I took when I was in Essex a few weeks ago . I have painted this tree several times but mostly in the summer with the sun shining  through the translucent green leaves with cool deep reflections in the water. This time it was a surprisingly sunny late November day. Most of the trees had lost their leaves but not the oaks which were still resplendent in their golden crowns.

This is another picture I painted this weekend. It's of the east shore of Loch Lomond a few miles north of Balmaha from a photo I took when I did a 3 day West Highland Way this summer. Both these paintings are for sale at my Etsy shop.

Last week purchased a pair of vibram five fingers. I have been tempted by these weird looking running shoes( they are like gloves for feet with separate toe pockets) since I first read Born to Run about six years ago However I was put off by the price (£100 or more) and  my fear that they are a bit gimmicky. However I spotted apair for £67 on Amazon and took the plunge So far I have been very impressed . They are very comfortable and have a more protective sole and better grip than many of the other minimalist shoes I have tried.

Conference in London

The interior of the Hydrogen

I have been down south again for a conference in London and  then I spent the weekend with my parents in Essex. On Saturday we walked down to the Hythe quay in their town to look at the estaury .Despite being sunny it was quite cold so we repaired to the the tea room on board the sailing barge Hydrogen. It was warm and snug down below. The Hydrogen was built in 1902 and is the largest sailing barge in existence, it is also where my sister had her wedding reception.
I pulled a muscle in my hamstring last week so my running was curtailed but I still managed to visit some of my favourite haunts- Beeleigh , the  marshes and  Purleigh.

Northey Island from Heybridge Basin

Dun Deardail

View from Dun Deardail

On Thursday I went for a run on the West Highland Way but was disappointed to find that the trail is closed between Glen Nevis and Lundavra until April . I went as far as I could before the path was blocked by felled trees.
Retracing my steps I visited  Dun Deardail - the remains of an Iron Age fort on a hillock overlooking Glen Nevis. It is a great site for a fort but very little is known of its history other than the fact that it was once burnt and  that the fire was so hot that it melted the rocks; a process known as vitrification.
On Thursday it was warm enough to sketch the dramatic view from the fort although my fingers were numb by the time I had finished. I soon warmed up on the  long jog home.

Quick sketch  from the Lochailort Road yesterday

View today from The Commando Memorial Spean Bridge

Trip to Norfolk and Essex

We are just back from a trip south to Norfolk and  then  Essex. Some friends had very kindly lent us a cottage in Sherringham on the  north coast of Norfolk . Sherringham is a picturesque town that seems to have everything - a small theatre, railway station , pubs, cafes and lots of fish and chip shops.

Running near Sherringham

For us the main attraction was the coastline ; miles of virtually deserted beaches and endless horizons. On Monday we did a long run west along the coast. It was very warm for the time of year and hard work running on the shingle beach. We took hats, gloves and warm tops but it was definitely T-shirt weather. Not far from Sherringham we saw a long eared owl sitting on a post.
There is something  special about running by the sea. I love the sound  of waves crashing on a shingle beach; as the water rushes back there is an evocative whoosing noise as the pebbles are sucked seaward.

Shingle beach near Sherringham

 We paused in Cley ,a hamlet  of quaint  flint faced buildings that boasts a windmill, art gallery , shop and  tea room.
In Blakeney some  miles further we visited another art gallery with some  very good etchings and had  a drink in the pub. Having enjoyed warm  sunshine all morning  the mist now closed in . We  carried on to Wells next the Sea but there the lure of the secondhand  bookshops was too great. Having  bought two hefty tomes we took the bus back to Sherringham.

Sketch of the Funky Mackerel; a cafe in Sherringham

Later in the week we travelled to Essex to see my parents. Inspecting  my dad's garden he told us that there hadn't been any rain for months even though it is now November. Despite lots of watering  there were  brown patches in his lawn and he had lost quite a lot of plants. The upside was that there was no mud on the footpaths when we went running. However as we ate lunch before heading  for the station it started to rain and soon it was hammering down !

A corner of my in-law's sitting room

We took the overnight  train back to Fort William.  We awoke to see the mountains near Tyndrum orange red in the early morning  light and topped with a dusting of snow. We really enjoyed our trip south but our return showed how breathtakingly beautiful home is.

Recent runs and Mick Tighe's museum

Last week we went to Bohuntin to the home of Mick and Cathy Tighe. Mick is a mountain guide who has decades of experience in the mountains  both for pleasure, for clients and  in the Lochaber Mountain Rescue. He has also amassed a horde of mountaineering artefacts from skis to clothing and books.He has now started a museum which you can view on line on Scottish mountain heritage collection.  It was open to the public for the first two weeks of October.
 After spending a happy hour looking at the collection, we sat in the sunshine drinking  coffee eating cake and  chatting with other friends who had come to see the artefacts. I have never had such great welcome at a museum!
 Bohuntin is at the start of a glen famous or its 'parallel roads' These are a series of horizontal and parallel identations in the slopes of the  valley sides. From a distance they look like perfectly enginered roads. For many years they puzzled scientists. Charles Darwin thought they marked the shore line of ancient seas but failed to find any sea shells to prove his theory. In 1840 Louis Agassiz postulated that glaciers had blocked the glen forming inland lakes . The freeze thaw cycle had carved out the parallel roads. This is now accepted as the most likely cause.
We drove up the glen  and then climbed Beinn Iaruinn a beautiful hill with fantastic views  of the valley and  beyond.
During  the week I had to go to Lochaline a  village on the on the Sound of Mull, I sketched the picture below on the way home

The Road Near Laudale

On Friday I had the privilege to go to Rum. On the way back the ferry was accompanied for about 10 minutes by a pod of dolphins. I was amazed by the ease at which they kept pace with the boat.

Later on the sun sank lower between the islands of Rum on the right and Eigg on the left.

Below is a painting of the view (from a photo )

Today we ran up Melantee and then across to the CIC hut. It was surprisingly hot and  we were dripping with sweat on the climb. It is always a lovely run and today was no exception.

Towards the CIC hut ( Ben Nevis on the right)

Autumn

We have had more good weather but autumn is progressing at a pace . The trees are now changing colour, yet it is still warm and sunny . Today I ran into town then did a sketch in Glen Nevis .Running home with the sun low in the sky, the bracken  on the hills and the turning leaves was like running through a symphony of red orange and gold.

Glen Nevis 

Ben Resipole

I thought the weather forecast was bad for last weekend but that was because I only listened to the headline, which referred to the weather in the south of England.For once there was a role reversal and we had sunshine and the south had rain and wind.
 On Saturday we took the Corran ferry across to Ardgour and drove to Resipole. After a quick look round the gallery we climbed Ben Resipole. The weather was unbelievable for the time of year warm and sunny with a mild breeze. Clouds scudded across the sky patterning the hills with shadows. The oakwoods haven't changed colour yet but the bracken on the hills is starting to develop a gorgeous red russet tone.
 The path up to hill is very boggy and much of the time we were wading  through gloop. However as we climbed we were treated to wonderful views of the hills, the coast, and the islands of Muck , Eigg and Rum. We could also see some very distant islands on the horizon which might have been Mingulay, Sandray and Barra.
The last section of the hill was steep and rocky but the panorama from the top was well worth it; mountains lochs,sea and islands as far as the eye could see. We could see the village of Acharacle but apart from that there was no sign of man's impact on the environment.
After we had slipped and slithered our way down I had a quick dip in the loch before meeting some friends in Strontian.
On Sunday it was an equally glorious day and we ran up towards the CIC hut under the north face of Ben Nevis. I sat in the sun and sketched; amazingly it was warm but there were no midges.

The North Face of Ben Nevis

Rain And No Running

Ben Nevis Inn

 We've had a  quiet weekend with little running as both of us have had colds and the weather has been  wet. This has given me more time to sketch out and about and  to paint  indoors.
 We had a coffee and a snack at one of our favourite haunts; the Ben Nevis Inn . This is decked out like an alpine style hut and  has a single large window facing  out on to the Ben path through which the light streams even on a dull wet day. The little sketch below is from the West End car park in Fort William looking  out on to Loch Linnhe.

Below are two pictures I've been working  on this weekend . They are too large for our scanner so I've photographed them which is why the images are poor quality. I hope to sell them in our local gallery.

Arisaig Bay

Commando Memorial At Sunset

Ring O Fire Post Script

Quick sketch of Glen Nevis  painted today

In my race report for The Ring of Fire I neglected to mention the  winners.
First was William Lloyd in a time of  24.56
Second was Oliver Lutte in 25.58
Third was Andrew Williams in 26.55
All of these are outstanding  times, I was able to perform on the first day but couldn't keep it up for the rest of the race. To be able to run consistently for three days is an amazing feat.
The first lady I'm proud to say was my wife Helen , she finished in 32.16. It is all the more remarkable since  she has been injured for most of the year.
In all 36 runners finished the race out of 98 starters.

Ring of Fire Race

Scene from the road to Mallaig

Last week we ran the Ring  of Fire ultramarathon. The race is a 3 day, 135 mile stage race around the coast of Anglesey in Wales.
We spent the first part of the week in the small seaside town of Beaumaris with my parents , sister  her husband and two of her children.It was nice to spend  time  with my family, enjoy relaxing meals and explore the picturesque town .However that part of the holiday flew by and before we knew it we were on the start line listening to Johnny Cash singing 'Ring of Fire' which unsurprisingly is the race's adopted theme tune.
It seemed cool waiting  for the 1pm start but once we started running it became hot and sunny. The first section  through Holyhead is relatively boring until the main island and  the first beach is reached.I ran most of the first section on my own which I liked as I was able to go my own pace.
 By the second check point at Church Bay I was feeling good and  was surprised to overtake a few people. A runner ahead ran straight up a hill and  assuming  that nobody would run up a hill unless they were sure it as the right way, I followed. Sadly it wasn't ! However I only lost a few minutes and by now I was having  a ball.The north coast of Anglesey is exquisite , with cliffs and small rocky  bays and lots of wild flowers.The sun was shining  and both the sea and sky were blue. It was glorious!

The beautiful coast near Church Bay

The power station at Wylfa is not so pretty but beyond the village of  Cemaes it was lovely undulating running - cliff tops and small bays- that  I really enjoy.
At Bull Bay two runners ahead missed a turning and I shouted to them but only one heard. The next section is crucial because there a so called 'honesty book '- to prove that one has followed the route correctly and not cut corners one has to tear out a page from a book left at an unmanned checkpoint.
By the time I reached Amlwch( the end of day 1) I was tired but elated. I was shocked to find that I was in 6th position . A wiser runner would have slowed down to save some energy for the following stages but I had a great day and ran well because I was loving it.
At the leisure centre I tucked in to a huge portion of lasagne and  drank four mugs of tea. Helen came in about half an hour after me having also had a good day. She has only recently recovered from an achilles injury that as been plaguing her all year.
Next on the agenda was a shower and and a relaxing swim before settling down in the main hall with the other competitors for a fitful night's sleep.
My sister being a slower runner was out in the dark and only made the midnight cut off by 3 seconds. However the important thing was that she made it.
Day 2 started dry though rain and wind was forecasted. We set off before dawn heading around the coast. Despite lots of food , hydration and rest my legs were tired from Friday's 35  mile jaunt . I kept up with the same group of guys I had been with the previous day for about 3 miles then they got ahead. There was no point in pushing it because it was due to be a very long day ( nearly 66 miles). At Traeth Lligwy beach, the first checkpoint I bought a coffee, I was 30 pence short but a kind man gave me 10 pence and the even kinder cafe owner knocked 20 pence of the price!
At the next beach I made a silly navigational error that cost me a few minutes but resulted in me hooking up with another group of runners. At first I thought that they were going quite slowly but beyond Red Wharf Bay they too started to get ahead. By now the promised rain  had started but initially it was quite light.
Penmon Point was a long time coming but it always is - on the map it isn't far but the path twists and turns.I switched from a pertex to a waterproof as the rain started in earnest.
It is only 4 miles from the Penmon to the half way point at Beaumaris but the tide was high so rather than swim we had to take a road diversion . At Beaumaris I had a boost from seeing my parents and  nieces at a cafe. There was a tent at the check point with the half way bags, I ate and drank and put on another layer of clothing ,then headed up the hill. It is a long climb on the road and  even longer if you miss the footpath to the left as some runners did. Half way to Menai there was as always a .kind family handing out jelly babies. By now it was raining very heavily and  the wind was getting stronger. I ran with a runner called Gareth who was fitter than me but who was not familiar with the way. I should have known the route but my memory of it was a bit hazy.
At the Sea Zoo it was really wild .The checkpoint gazebo had been destroyed by the wind. I decided it was pointless wasting energy trying to run into the gale so I walked and took my time to munch on a pork pie . I was struggling to run much anyway, the weather and distance were starting to take its toll.

Newborough Beach (two days before the race- no wind  or rain)

Once the route turned northwest I was able to get jogging again. Gareth was now far ahead and I ran for the rest of the day on my own. Newborough beach seemed very long . Despite the extreme weather conditions there were kite surfers in the sea, I admired their strength and toughness.
At the Newborough checkpoint I was delighted to find they had soup , I drank some tea as well.  Not long after I left the checkpoint it got dark but I was on the home straight. I had a slightly sticky moment in a field when a group of cows and calves got a bit menacing, one cow in particular looked as if it was about to charge.Fortunately it calmed down after I stood still.
I was with great relief that I finally reached the village hall at Aberffraw just after 10pm. There was as always a fantastic welcome , hot tea and delicious pasta. Helen came in about half an hour later.
Throughout the night as we tried to sleep other runners arrived in dribs and drabs, the last  at about 4am  we all got about half an hour later!
At 6 am we off again for the final leg . Helen seemed very strong and I couldn't keep up with her. The weather was good - dry with a gentle breeze but mainly dull.
At Rhosneigr we were treated to bacon butties  which were quite a boost .
 The route finding is tricky in some places and a few times I had to search for footpath signs . Four Mile Bridge came and went- putting us back on Holy Island . The next objective was the honesty book at Silver Bay. Beyond this the landscape shifts up a gear and becomes more picturesque and  dramatic. I encountered a group of runners who had missed the honesty book and were forced to retrace their steps to get the vital pages.
 By Trearddur Bay I was really struggling. The same thing happened last year, but I had a solution ;I bought a mug of tea and a juice at a kiosk on the front -just what I needed. I knew I was tired because I struggled to add 70 pence to £1.20 having to ask if that made £1.90, also I had to get the lady in the kiosk to help me to get the straw in to the juice container. However as expected the caffeine and the excitement of nearing the end perked me up and I was soon going better than I had all day.The coast hereabouts is gorgeous and the sun was now shining at times . I passed another runner and told her to try to savour the last hour or so of the adventure. . The final hurdle was climbing the flanks of Holyhead mountain and then finding the  honesty book at North Stack . This done it was just a short romp to the end. It was a glorious feeling to sprint the last hundred yards to the  sound of Johnny Cash singing' Ring of Fire.'

This is the third time we have run The Ring of Fire and it just gets better and better( though not easier). The marshalls are fantastic and the route is varied and very scenic. This year we had quite a lot of weather too.

After a good nights sleep we went home the long way paying  a visit to Porthmadog to visit Rob Piercy's superlative gallery . Rob Piercy is one  of the best watercolour landscape artsts in the country. He specialises in extremely fine atmostpheric pictures of Snowdonia. His website is Rob Piercy,it is well worth a look. After drooling over the pictures and buying  a print we drove north through Snowdonia seeing the scenery he paints.

Glen Etive

Looking back up Glen Etive

The road to Glen Etive

We have had some  very variable weather recently . Days of rain and  low cloud until everyone is really fed up with the scottish 'summer'. Then a day of glorious pristine weather comes along  and the mountains look incredible and I for one can't believe that I live in such an amazing place.

The above pictures are small postcard size paintings rom photos I took this week on a trip to Glen Etive. Below is a sketch of the Mamores from Glen Nevis done on Wednesday.

The Mamores from Glen Nevis

Bridge of Orchy Runs

Glen Etive

 We've had a couple of good runs from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William recently.
 It is one of my favourite runs and a really good test of fitness without being too exhausting. We can get a cheap train ticket to Bridge of Orchy from home and start running just ater 9 am. Once over the hill behind the hotel there is a short section of tarmac then on to Telford's road. Built in 1803 it was the main road until 1933 but is now a remote track over Rhannoch Moor. The cobbles are still there and are hard on the feet ! Once you get to Kingshouse you feel you've done something, but it is wonderful; the mountains of Glencoe and Glen Etive are all around and only the busy A82 detracts from the wild beauty of the place.
The next hurdle is the Devil's Staircase apparently named by hard pressed soldiers on road building duties in the time  of General Wade. Later workers on the Blackwater dam would use the route to get to the Kingshouse Hotel to spend their wages on a Friday night. Returning was sometimes more difficult than anticipated! I like the staircase but dislike the track into Kinlochleven which is steep and gravelly and although downhill seems to go for ever.
Kinlochleven is a good place to get drinks or food before the steep climb onto  the Lairig Mor( big pass)  and consists of 15miles of   undulating rocky track through the mountains. Just now the heather is in bloom giving  the hillsides a beautiful purple tinge but even more striking is the wonderful smell of honey that fills the air.
 On the 2nd February 1645 The forces of Montrose chased the Campbells of Argyll through here after defeating them at the battle of Inverlochy. They must have been tough in those days to fight a battle then run through the Lairig Mor in the depths of winter!
The final stage of the run is the descent into Glen Nevis with the majestic Ben as backdrop.

Sunset  on the west coast

West Highland Way Training Run

I'm just back from a three day West Highland Way run.
 I took the train to Milngavie on Monday and started at about 12.30. It was a lovely sunny day- as it was when I last ran the West Highland Way in June. Then bluebells were out and the cuckoo was calling . This time  there was meadowsweet, rosebay willowherb,foxgloves and himalayan balsam  in flower. The cuckoos have sadly departed for Africa.
 I love the variety of the West Highland Way. It starts in thge suburbs of Glasgow goes through a wooded park then into farmland, then forestry, moorland and heatherclad hill. Then comes the gorgeous but lengthy Loch Lomond section before the dramatic mountains and high passes.
I used to find the first section of the WHW a bit boring; I was always champing at the bit to get into the real Highlands, but the last couple of times the weather has been fine and the countryside has looked so beautifully green and the wild flowers so profuse that I really enjoyed it.
At Balmaha I bought food and water at the shop then carried beside Loch Lomond.There was a lovely holiday atmostphere with children in swimming and families having barbecues on the shore.
As the evening progressed I began to wonder where to spend the night . Previously I have slept under a rock or just bedded down in my bivvy bag on the path . However the two hazards of sleeping  out in this area are the rain and the midges- there was no rain but the midges were fierce.
  I followed a new sign pointing out the lower route of the West Highland Way( which I have never done before as I normally keep to the upper track) and chanced upon the Rowchoish bothy. I normally try to get beyond Inversnaid on the first day but the bothy was a chance of a midge free night so I decided to stay. There were three guys from East London there and later an unexpected but enchanting  visitor: Hearing a rustling  noise in the eaves I put my headtorch on and there sat  a pine marten chewing  a piece of plastic. For a while he hid behind a beam but his tail was hanging down in clear view.
The Londoners asked whether I minded that they had set an alarm for 8am, I said that I too was planning an early start, but I didn't have the heart to tell them that I had set my alarm for 3.30am. I was back on the trail by 4.00 am.

Loch Lomond on Tuesday-it was a beautiful sunny afternoon.

I found running  on the second day quite tough partly because I didn't get any coffee in the morning! I had hoped to get some at Beinglas but they were not yet open when I passed. It was a beautiful day although it became cloudy later on. The lack of caffeine and tiredness started to tell on me by the time I reached the switchback path through the forest above Crianlarich and I fell and grazed my arm.
At Strathfillan campsite I finally got some coffee and it was very welcome.Refreshed I picked up speed and arrived at Bridge of Orchy at midday nearly three hours before my train: I could have spent longer in bed! I treated myself to a pint of guiness in the hotel.
At home I had a bath, a nice meal, and a good sleep before getting the morning train back to Bridge of Orchy for the final leg. The  forecast for Wednesday was dire - The weather map showed a band of rain sweeping across Scotland . In the event it wasn't too bad , the rain was persistent but only heavy at times, and it was surprisingly warm. The sixty miles over the previous two days were telling  on my legs but I was able to keep up a reasonable pace.
At Kingshouse I spoke to a man in a high viz vest who told me that they are going  to knock most of the hotel down and build a bigger version! The Kings House is a historic 17th century hotel(one of the oldest licensed premises in the country) with a lot of character, and is in an iconic position at the gateway to Glencoe. I do hope they don't lose that character in the modernization, and  that some of the older parts will be retained ( apparently the climber's bar is staying).
 I reached Kinlochleven by 2pm but struggled on the climb on to the Lairig Mor, however even in the rain the  pass is a beautiful place and I was able to savour this last section.
I cheated on the  final mile  because Helen had  come  to the Braveheart car park and was waiting  too pick me up.
As always doing the WHW is a very satisfying  way of training , it is a route I know and  love but it doesn't get any easier. It is a good test of fitness which at the moment is a bit lacking.

Sketch of two ladies on the train from Bridge of Orchy

Like Father, Like Son -or not !

Here's a view of my Dad's pride and joy - his garden. An unusual amount of rain has kept the lawn greener than is usual for July. However his garden is always immaculate and is a beautiful and secluded place with lots of mature trees . Having a tour of the garden with my Dad is one of the rituals of visiting my parents.

....And here's a picture of my garden- more weeds than flowers! This was painted from my back step for James Gurney's weed painting challenge.

Lastly here's a sketch of a cafe in Glasgow on the way home . It took me almost 24 hours to get back

Visit to Essex Part 2

After 2 days and 50 odd miles and still having a sore foot( from standing  on the  thorn) I had a day off running
My parents and  I went for a pub lunch at the Hurdlemaker's Arms at Woodham Mortimer, a typical  Essex country pub with low beams, a flagstone floor  and open fires. It serves good real ale and  excellent food.
 My parents had had a meal at the same pub the week before and had left an umbrella behind . They realised their error as soon as they got home so phoned the pub to ask the staff to look for it. They were confident  that the umbrella would be there because they had been the only people in the bar, however the barman could not find it.
 Returning  to the pub a week later with me they were presented with the brolly. Apparently it turned up in the evening at the same table that my parents had sat at and where the staff had searched.
Asking the barman for an explanation he said it was probably the  pub's resident ghost! He then told us about various instances when the ghost had moved things and opened bolted cupboards. Whether you believe it or not it was an intriguing episode that gave us somethng to think about over our lunch.

On the  Thursday I was back running  and  had a wonderful trot along  the  canal at Beeleigh . In some places the path is overshadowed by mature oak trees that overhang the water. The sunlight glitters through the leaves and  there are deep shadows and  wonderful reflections.Words don't do the scene justice, but here is a painting of it I did today.

Visit to Essex

I am just back from a trip to Essex and Norfolk to see family. I opted to get the bus down which was quite gruelling but cheap .
I arrived in Central London at 8am on Monday. After a night sitting up my first priority was coffee! Then I walked to Oxford Circus through the city . I don't know London well but of course all the names are very familiar through the news, culture and playing monopoly.
I passed Buckinham Palace ,went through Green Park ( beautiiful  plane trees)  passed the Ritz and went up Fleet Street. I like to imagine the landscape before London was a concrete jungle what would it have been like when there was a River Fleet running down towards the Thames?
From Oxford Circus I cheated  and took the Underground  My original plan was to run from Central London to my parent's house in Maldon Essex. However I realised that this would be a tall order given my current state of fitness and  the amount I was carrying , So I took the tube to Epping which conveniently is where the Essex Way starts- a well marked footpath heading initially in the right direction.. The first part of my route took me through some lovely forest containing many ancient pollarded hornbeam trees. Then some equally beautiful farmland . The wheat and  the barley was almost ripe; its pale gold complimenting the greens of the trees and  the blueness of the sky .
It soon became clear that it was going to be a long day as the paths were very overgrown with tall grassess nettles and  briars. Often navigation was a challenge too. It slows the running  down if you have to check the map and look for hidden footpath signs every 100 metres or so.
At Greensted I stopped at the church which to me is a marvel. It is the oldest wooden church in the world and  the oldest wooden building standing in Europe. That the original wooden walls have survived since Saxon times in our damp climate without rotting is incredible. To lay ones hand on a piece of oak and know that it was cut and  fashioned by unknown hands nearly one thousand years ago is humbling.

At Chipping Ongar I switched from the Essex Way to the St Peter's Way and continued thrashing through overgrown paths. Listening to my litle pocket radio I learned that Theresa May was to be elected unapposed as the leader of the Conservative party and therefore to become Prime Minister of our country in 48 hours!
At Stock I was stung by a wasp and near Bicknacre I stood on a thorn which went straight through the sole of my running shoe and deep into my foot -Ouch! Here was me used to the wilds of Scottish mountains,being stung, scratched and impaled on a low level country run in Essex.
I limped on and soon reached familiar places; paths and lanes around Hazeleigh that I have known since I was a boy .I eventually arrived at. my parents in the evening.

On the second day I set out from Purleigh to complete the St Peter's Way. The route was clearer since I was now on home turf . Still I was confused once or twice with styles and footpath signs being hidden by foilage .
 The seawall at Maylandsea was very overgrown but once that was passed I felt I was making  progress.
Despite a poor weather forecast it was very hot  and at Tillingham I gave in to temptation and  had a deliciously cool beer at the old pub by the church .
Back on the route I was soon on the sea wall again . Beautiful open country with huge skies and  views that go on forever .
My final destination was St Peter's on the Wall an ancient church built about 660AD on the ruins of a Roman Fort .

The church interior is sparsely  furnished with bare stonework walls. It is a very spiritual place and a fitting end to a long distance footpath. I sat for a while and sketched the light streaming in through the open door.

Ramsay Round Attempt

A friend of mine attempted a Ramsay Round  this week.
The last time I wrote about the Ramsay was last year when Jez Bragg broke the record of the round which consists of 24 Munros  completing  it in 18 ours 12 minutes. Then a month later John Ascroft  beat that record by over an hour completing  in 16.59.That in itself was remarkable but this year a lady, Jasmin Paris smashed both the male and  female records completing  in  16 hours 13 minutes. I cannot comprehend  how anybody could run that fast over that sort of terrain. It is worth remembering that only 4 females have ever completed a Ramsay in under 24 hours.
My friend  was not attempting  anything so spectacular just wanting to get round even if it took more than 24 hours. My job was to pace her on the section from Loch Treig to Aonach Mor  I spent most of last weekend doing a recce and depositing  some water on the Grey Corries. The weather was showery and  it was quite grim on Aonach Mor. However as I descended the sun started to shine through gaps in the gloom illuminating  small wispy clouds floating in the valley- simply stunning.

Descending Aonach Mor

On Tuesday morning my friend started her attempt. She was wearing  a tracker so we could watch on the internet as she  traversed the mountains which was very exciting.
 Unfortunately it soon became clear that she was slower than planned .By mid afternoon she was several hours behind  schedule. It turned out that she had some problems with her eyes and  was struggling  to see - not good when negociating steep slopes and ridges. Eventually with the weather deteriorating and  night falling she was forced to pull out . However as she said the mountains will always be there for another go
. So I didn't get to run a step except to retrieve the water I had stashed.

The Summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor with Aonach Beag in the background

Loch Ossian near Corrour Lodge

I had another good run last week; I took the the train to Corrour Station, and ran  around Loch Ossian.
 I enjoyed a coffee at the station restaurant., ran to Loch Treig and then homewards. It was a gorgeous, hot day. I passed a group of  teenagers doing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. They were all carrying heavy packs, wearing big boots and looked very hot.
 Further on I found a deep pool in the river and  went for a swim; it was incredibly refreshing. The D of E group trudged past as I swam and one  exclaimed "I'm so envious!" They were on such a tight scedule that they couldn't spare five minutes for a dip .
From the Meannanach bothy I took the path north but then  climbed the slopes of Stob Ban .
Stob Ban is an outlier of the main Grey Corrie ridge and  you have to descend an unpleasant bit of scree before climbing up to Stob Choire Claurigh on the main ridge.
 Needless to say the views are spectacular on a fine day.

Looking East along the ridge of the Grey Corries

The Grey Corries make up a fine ridge that twists and turns . You have to watch your step but there is no real scrambling. I descended via the initially runnable slopes of Beinn Bhan, Lower down the grassy hill is steep and  slippery- I ended  up on my backside a few times. From the bottom of the mountain it is only a few miles through the forest to our village.

Glorious Summer Weather

Last week I jogged the  the West Highland Way, in some glorious summer weather.
 I started at lunchtime on Tuesday having got the train  down to Milngavie.
 The first section to Drymen  I normally find the least inspiring section . However on Tuesday it was delightful. In Mugdock park there were carpets of bluebells .The trees were a brilliant green with deep dark shadows.On the road section the hedgerows were a profusion of wildflowers; pink campion , more bluebells , buttercups and  cow parsley. My main concern on the first day was getting  enough to drink and getting enough salt on board. I stopped at Balmaha shop, the hotel at Rowardennan and at Inversnaid to buy drinks. I really enjoyed running  along  in the sun, but by far the best bit was beyond Rowardennan.By then  the crowds of WHW walkers were gone and I had the trail to myself . It was a beautiful evening, the heat of the day was away but the low sun still shone . The pictures below are from two of the many photos I took.
 At Inversnaid I couldn't resist a half of guiness; by then I was parched and  it tasted delicious ! In previous years when I have done a three day West Highland Way it has always been raining by this point and I normally sleep under a particular rock I know of near Inversnaid . This time I was more concerned by the clouds of midges so I found  a high point  on the path hoping for a breeze off the loch to keep them away. I bedded down in my bag in the middle of the path and  got a few hours sleep.

Day 2 I always find tough . Carrying a sleeping bag ,bivvy bag,spare clothes ,waterproofs, food and  water (and of course sketchbook and paints) makes running just  that little bit harder. I stopped to write in Dario's book ( close to the bothy ) and was glad to see the usual suspects were keeping  up the tradition of writing  there. I didn't linger for long as the  midges were getting  fierce.

Woodland by Loch lomond

I normally get a coffee at Beinglas Farm but on this occasion I was too early ( 7AM), so continued without the stimulation of caffeine. The day started to heat up again as the morning  progressed and by the Crianlarich woodland section I had slowed down considerably. This section is a switchback trail through the forest and  can be fun if one is feeling fit - but I wasn't ! Lack of fitness,sleep and caffeine  were taking there toll and  I was unused to the heat. However a cup of tea , at Strathfillan  sorted me out and  by the time  I got through Tyndrum I was starting  to pick up. I did the last section of the day  much faster than I expected and arrived  at Bridgeof Orchy before midday with 3 hours to spare to catch the train . So I went and  sat in the river for a bit then did a sketch.

I took the afternoon train home for a good feed and  a solid night's sleep in my own bed then got the morning  train back to Bridge of Orchy for day 3. The train fare is far less than paying  for accomodation and  allowed me to leave some of my gear at home . I suppose a purist would have bivvied for a second night but is so much easier running  with a light rucksack.

Unbelievably the third day was hot as well ! Fortunately a brisk breeze kept me cool running . and I had a great time.. Again I had to buy drinks at every opportunity as most of the streams were almost dry .

I arrived in Fort William about 5 minutes to late for the 5.35 train but fortunately Helen was able to pick me up. 

Although I am quite unfit it was a glorious run , Great weather from beginning  to end and the scenery was stunning as always

We have had some terific weather recently - an actual heat wave! ; The other week I was back up Aonach Mor in perfect conditions. Amazing skies filled with billowing clouds, warm sunshine but with a cooling breeze sufficient to keep the midges away. I sketched the view from the cable car station . Running home through the forest was a delight.

Mountain biker at the top of downhill track on Aonach Mor

The Eastern side of the Aonach Mor summit plateau

A recent painting of the Glenfinnan Monument 

Mountain Biking

Yesterday we went for a run on Aonach Mor, by chance the downhill mountain biking championships were on . We were blown away by the skill and courage of the riders as they negotiated jumps, tight bends and large boulders .I tried to sketch riders in mid air at one of the water jumps but found it very difficult to get the details down as each rider sailed through the air .Eventually I did the above  quick sketch of the start of the course. The riders start down a ramp from a small pod near the top of the cable car.It takes the top riders about five minutes to descend the 3kms and about 2000 feet to the valley bottom.
Watching  the biking was exciting but it was good to get higher up beyond the noise and bustle to the quiet solitude of the plateau with the mountain hares and ptarmigan.The snow has shifted fast over the last week but there is still a lot in the corries and the eastern cliffs of Aonach Mor were very dramatic.

Below are some recent paintings