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.

Back to the West Highland Way

Had two good runs on the West Highland Way last week. Sunday started out looking  quite miserable -cold and  wet, but as the afternoon progressed it cleared up . As the first ( or last) section  of the West Highland Way is closed for tree felling I had to jog up the road to Lundavra which is two miles shorter than the normal way from Glen Nevis.
 Once  on the Lairig Mor I really enjoyed  the misty, moody atmostphere
. In Kinlochleven I paused for a tea. The view from the pub was amazing - the Pap of Glencoe silhouetted against a yellow and  orange sunset  and  both reflected perfectly in the still loch. There was enough daylight to get most halfway along  the Lairig Mor before I had to dig out my head torch.

On Tuesday I ran from Fort William to Bridge of Orchy . The forecast was bad and reality didn't disapppoint . It was really wet and windy on the Lairig Mor. Despite a good waterproof and  quite a few layers underneath I was soon wet through and  the strong headwind began to cool me. By the time I reached Kinlochleven I was frozen. However pot of  hot tea at the Tailrace Inn ( what a bargain at £ 1.40) and  putting on two extra layers of clothing sorted me out. I had reservations about carrying  on due to the severity of the  weather, but when I emerged from the pub I found  the  wind  had dropped and  the rain lessened. The next section to Glencoe was a delight ; the mountains wreathed in clouds,the rushing burns, the churring  of grouse for company, it was so good to be back on the West Highland Way.
At Kingshouse I took a quick look at the new cafe and  bunkhouse which looks quite smart. The main hotel is closed pending  a drastic refurbishment / demolition . From there it was up onto Rannoch Moor. Half way along  I met a walker and  we spent  a few minutes enthusing about the place. Even on a grey wet day it has a magic about it - being  totally surrounded by mountains and moorland . The only indication of civilization is the foot bruising cobbles of Telford's road which was built in 1803 and  apparently was the main road north until the 1930's.
I was quite tired when I reached Bridge of Orchy . I sat in the pub beside the blazing wood stove and  drank coffee. I rued my decision to have a dry January because a pint would have been lovely, shame it was the last day of  the month and not Februuary!
Helen was returning from a trip to see her parents so I was able to surprise her when I got on the train  home.

The two pictures on this post have no connection to the West Highlnd Way. I have been doing a series of simple landscapes with dramatic skies. The top picture is the coast near Arisaig, the bottom    one the fire road near Spean Bridge.

Changeable Weather

Sketch of Glen Nevis in the snowy weather ten days ago

We've had the normal mix of weather so far this year - It has  changed from snowy to warm and wet then dry and cold in two weeks .
Today was cold, dry and sunny . I sketched Ben Nevis  form the picnic site on the Lundavra Road ( see below). I had planned to do a long run on the West Highland Way but it was such beautiful weather that  I couldn't resist climbing a hill.
From  Lundavra I went up the steep grassy slopes of Meall a Chaorainn then on to Mullach nan Coirean.There was a wonderful golden afternoon light and a clear blue sky.It was stunning!
 I ventured along the ridge towards Stob Ban but then retraced my steps  and descended into Glen Nevis. On the North East side of the hill it was very cold with a bitter wind and icy under foot. After dark there it was clear and crisp and I saw a shooting star. I jogged as far as Nevis Range and  then got a lift home.

The Ben from Lundavra Road


I'm looking forward to the shorter nights and being able to run to work  in daylight. Below is a recent painting of sunrise in the hills

Looking forward to brighter mornings

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.