Summer weather

This week the weather has been wonderful. On Tuesday I went to Acharacle . Early morning mist started to clear as I drove off the ferry but still clung to the bases of the hills and in drifts on the sea loch. The blue of the water was a deep azure, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
Yesterday I had most of the day off and after completing some work e mails headed up into the Mamores. I find it incredible that I can leave work and the hill starts 10 metres from the office back door. From there I could run to Dalwhinnie which must be at least 40 miles away without crossing a single public road.

Ben Nevis from Banavie

. It was a hard grind up the first mountain ( Mullach Nan Coirean ) but once on the ridge it was great running with spectacular views of the Ben on one side and the Lairig Mor with the West  Highland Way far below on the other. I stopped on the ridge to do a pencil sketch which I coloured from memory back at home ( it looks a bit garish on the scan ) I climbed Stob Ban then descended into Glen Nevis. I intended to run back to town but then realised I would miss the train so got the bus instead.

Ben Nevis from the Mamores

Ramsay Round continued

Quick sketch of the mountains as I waited for the Ramsay Round runners. I didn't want to get too involved with my picture as I knew runners might come round the corner at any moment. the hill shown is Sgurr Choinnich Beag with the Aonach Mor / Aonach Beag plateau behind.

Waiting for the runners to arrive back at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel this morning. We had text updates during the night and it became clear that Mark was slipping behind his schedule however we were still hoping he would 'pull it out of the bag' Unfortunately he was about half an hour outside the magic 24 hour time limit, but what a tremendous achievement ! It's a shame that he won't go on the list of official Ramsay Rounders but he was very close. It is a phenomenally difficult challenge and few people manage it on their first attempt.

View of Beinn Na Lap from the railway bridge near Corrour ,this was sketched last year when I was reccing another part of the Round.

Ramsay Round

Today I have been helping some friends on their Ramsay Round .The Ramsay Round is a 24 hour challenge to run a circular route from Glen Nevis up the Ben across to Carn Mor Dearg then the Aonachs , Grey Corries ,Easains, 3 Munro's East of Loch Treig and the Mamores then back to Glen Nevis. The distance is 'only ' 56 miles but a muscle sapping twenty eight  thousand feet of climbing. In addition the terrain is very rough and rocky. It was first completed by Charlie Ramsay in the 70's. My job was to take some food and water up into the Grey Corries for the runners and then accompany them to Loch Treig. I was a bit nervous that I was late - it was hard work grinding up the hill with a rucksack full of supplies, the cloud was down as well making navigation slightly challenging. However in the event I  was fine and even had time to start a sketch of the mountains. Mark  and Euan were going well although slightly behind schedule. Fraser was struggling with the pace and had dropped back so I waited for him . I'm now back at home and have had food and a bath. Mark is still out there with a long night ahead and the whole of the Mamore range to do! He has to be back at the youth hostel by 8AM tomorrow to have completed the round within 24 hours .He has raised  £4,697 sponsorship for Spinal Muscular atrophy Support .
Pictures  and more news to follow tomorrow.

Yesterday we drove to Glencoe ski centre and ran across Rhannoch Moor and on as far as Tyndrum. We returned to Bridge of Orchy but the heavens opened so  we went to the pub ! The first sketch  is of the Bridge of Orchy Hotel as the rain started, the second the inside of the pub. We only did 27 miles but that's still a reasonable outing.

   Two new pictures which I hope to put on my etsy shop soon.

Glen Nevis

Here's a picture I painted this morning of Glen Nevis from the West Highland Way. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out, it is from a photo I took a few months ago .

Waiting for the Corran Ferry

I managed to do some quick sketches this week . Here is a selection. I wish I had more time ; there are so many wonderful views and things I would like to paint . Everything is lush and green at the moment and there is a profusion of wild flowers many of which I sadly cannot identify. Running to work I cross a small marshy area near Inverlochy, you can smell the summer there - a heady brew of pollens and fresh vegetation. I love this time of year!

Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg

Early morning Fort William

Ben Nevis again

W.H.W. training

We both had Wednesday off so we did another long run , this time we got the train to Bridge of Orchy and ran back  from there.We were expecting bad weather but it turned out warm and sunny again- unbelievable! No time for any sketching as we needed to get the train home from the Fort. Unfortunately we were slow because I still have a sore back  having strained it coughing - I seem to be a bit of a hypochondriac  at the moment. However it was still a brilliant day out, the northern part West Highland Way really is a gorgeous route.
I did paint a two quick pictures this week , one loosely based on Loch Linnhe the other a made up view.

Loch Linnhe

West Coast Sunset