Snow and Sunshine

Dull day in Glen Nevis two weeks ago

Last Tuesday there were snow showers all morning and by the afternoon there were a few inches on our lawn. Quite a change from the dreary wet weather we seem to have had for most of the winter. A few days later I was checking the weather forecast on the T.V. when I thought that somebody had forgotten to put the graphics on the weather map - there was the outline of Britain but nothing else . Normally regardless of the weather in the rest of the country there is a patch of blue over the west of Scotland, indicating rain. This time there was nothing, but it was no mistake - we have been enjoying the most amazing weather and not a drop of rain over the last 3 days!

Sketch of Ben Nevis painted today.

 Yesterday I did the run from Bridge of Orchy back to Fort William.The combination of the recent snow on the mountains, the pure blue sky and  glorious sunshine was intoxicating. At Black Rock cottage the photographers were out in force snapping the famous view of the Buachaille Etive Mor, but for my money the best view was from the top of the Devil's Staircase. Having sweated up the steep path the mountains are arrayed all around. Just beyond that The Blackwater Reservoir came into view; a blue jewel set in brown hills drizzled with snow. It was one of those incredible days when one cannot believe one's good luck to be alive.

Quick sketch of Glencoe done on Friday

Mixed Weather

Sunset at Arisaig

 The weather has been very mixed recently - some beautiful balmy days but then  some very wet windy, sleety days. Last Wednesday I did the run back from Bridge of Orchy. The previous week we took far too much kit so this time I went light - and of course the weather was really bad! Between Kingshouse and Altnafeadth there was a vicious stingy hail. After that it rained and rained. Finally after Kinlochleven it did stop but the wind was really strong and in my face. Still I had a really good day out and enjoyed the moody views of shifting cloud over the hills -when they weren't completely obscured by sheets of rain.

Thursday when I was back at work was of course a beautiful day.

Sketch of the view from the West end  car park

Wet or dry at least the days are getting longer; I only need a head torch for the first ten minutes of my run to work . My i pod is redundant too because the birds are singing their hearts out.

Loch Lochy on a sunny day.

I was really pleased to notice that some Scottish pound  notes now feature a portrait of Nan Shepherd. Nan Shepherd wrote an excellent book on the Cairngorms called The Living Mountain . It is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves mountains - it is full of acute observations and lyrical passages. Her passion  for the high places sings out from every page.

Misty mountains at Glen Etive

St Peter's Way Race

Recent view of the North Face of Ben Nevis

I went to Essex for the St Peter's Way Race last weekend. It is the second  time  that I've run the race both times with my sister. Part of the appeal of the St Peter's Way is that much of the route goes through the the area where I grew up, including some lovely Essex villages such as Purleigh and Tillingham. It ends at St Peter's Bradwell a beautiful 10th century church on the sea wall.
Two years ago when we last ran the race it was extremely muddy. Essex clay is very tenacious and hard to run through.However this year it was much drier and  I regretted wearing studded shoes . The weather was good too. In fact it was so warm that I decided to have a beer . The barman at the Bell in Purleigh refused to take my money and I really enjoyed my half of ale.

This weekend Helen and I ran back to Fort William from Bridge of Orchy. The weather forecast was poor, and  it started wet but actually the rain was mainly light and patchy. We carried much more gear than was strictly necessary not knowing what conditions would be like on the Devil's Staircase. There was quite a lot of snow at the top but it was warmer than we expected.

Today by contrast the weather was amazing. This morning I sketched Aonach Mor from our house.

In contrast the view from our kitchen is more often like this

View from our kitchen last Wednesday.