PHIL PACKING UP AT CALLATER LODGE
Over the years I reckon I’ve probably clambered up Carn an t-Sagairt Mor with Pete Shepherd a dozen times, both of us with thick heads from the night before down at the Lodge. I felt slightly melancholy as we started our trudge (a little late, it has to be said) up the hill. I missed the old sod. Morpeth and I were part of the “Class of ‘95,” along with Michael Gray, Chief Constafool Andy Desmond (VD & scar), Bert Hendrickse, Mick Croydon and of course, Phyllis LaBorwitt.
I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story of our trip to the coast, with occasional comments chucked in.
MAD'N'BAD & STORMIN – CLICK TO ENLARGE
CROYDON, LORD ELPUS & ME c/o STORMIN – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DUBH LOCH
EVENING ABOVE THE SPITTAL
CLICK TO ENLARGE
CLICK TO ENLARGE
HEADING FOR THE 'TUCK IN' – CLICK TO ENLARGE
ANDY’S PIC: BLUE DOOR WALK
N WATER BRIDGE: SPOT YOUR SHELTER – CLICK TO ENLARGE
THE TRAILSTAR LOUNGE
ANDY & PHIL, NETHER WARBURTON – CLICK TO ENLARGE
ME & PHIL, NETHER WARBURTON, IN THE RAIN – CLICK TO ENLARGE
Now then. One last word. Your rucksack has been your constant companion throughout your walk. She’s protected you from icy blasts, provided comfortable rest stops in the sunshine, been dropped in sheep-shit, bogs and streams. She’s looked after all your gear while you were in the pub.
Do the decent thing. Take her down to the seaside. She’s deserved it.
Nice pics to round off your epic!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin.
DeleteAs you'll have seen some of the pictures are from Phil and Andy.
Lovely photographs Alan. I suspect finishing your twentieth and final Challenge next year is going to be an emotional time for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's an easy thing to say, Sir "finishing your twentieth and final Challenge next year is going to be an emotional time for you."
DeleteI have yet to get across!
That's an idea for a post, actually - I've finished all my crossings, but there were quite a few when I almost threw in the towel!
I can't imagine you not getting across. Just unthinkable. Never. Not a chance.
DeleteYou do keep some good company. You'll miss us...
ReplyDeleteWill I really miss the ugly farting unshaven men?
DeleteThe perfumed feminine beauties, perhaps!
:-)
I've posted a wee poem for you to make you 'homesick' as you wander abroad -:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Gibson
DeleteHere's a link for readers keen on a bit of poetry:
...the Hielan' Hills o' Mar
Thanks Alan.
DeleteGreat writeup and images, 20th will be an epic
ReplyDeleteCheers Bob
Delete:-)
Alan as this is to be your last crossing can we expect one or two wine and cheese parties
ReplyDeleteThere will be just the one Cheese & Wine party in 2015, Chris. We'll publish the location on the Message Board in a week's time - well before the results of the ballot are public, so if Challengers wish to they can plan their routes around it.
Delete:-)
I might actually try to make this wine and cheese party after buying the finest vintage that the garage in Invergarry had to offer and carrying it for two days to not even bother going this year. Still it went down well in the Glen Banchor bothy.
ReplyDeleteJayme.
DeleteYou would be our gust of honour, Sir. Will you be bringing a +1, Sir?
We need to know numbers for the catering staff...
:-)
The perfumed feminine beauties You sweet thing (blush) Andy & I didn't know you cared.
ReplyDeleteThat's our little secret, Sweetcheeks.
DeleteWhat happens on the Challenge stays on the Challenge.
I think chaps and perfumed ladies should plan a surprise 20 year ambush. Surprise! 20 Years! etc with appropriate whisky, ringing out across the hills echoing back their own fond recognition. But don't tell him, obviously :-)
ReplyDeleteI think it's our secret, James.
Deletessssshhhh!
If i can get time off work for good behaviour i might bring a nice little welsh number along
ReplyDeleteOoooh - Will it be a Ceinwyn or a Megan?
Delete;-)
sorry no i,m not bringing them but a nice bottle or two of welsh whiskey .
ReplyDeleteWhy does Croydon look so glum in that photo (third down)? And you are grinning. Had you upset him?
ReplyDeleteNext year's cheese and wine looks like it could be a busy affair. Perhaps you should book the Mar Lodge Ballroom as the venue.
I'm pretty sure that's Croydon's natural demeanor, David.
Delete:-)
No man-made ballrooms for us Rufty-Tufty Cheese & Winers, Sir! We dance our reels beneath the moonlight's gaze on close cropped turf, high amongst the hills alongside tinkling burns.
Was he with us this year, then? Tinkling Burns - that well known Scottish composer of advertising jingles?
DeleteDid you see any elephants on our crossing this year, Sir? No. That bastard Burns had them all slaughtered for the ivory for his piano keyboards.
DeleteThe one benefit of this slaughter, of course, is that the might Baobab will once more reclaim the Highlands.
well i,ve just read the entire report and the pictures are still brilliant as is the writing and i,ve still got a bloody big lump in my sodding foot which hopefully on monday i will be told when it,s coming off .
ReplyDeleteOoh.
DeleteThat sounds nasty Chris - I hope it goes well for you Sir. I'll keep my fingers (and toes) crossed for you.
You are very kind, by the way.
:-)
Thanks alan found out today after seeing the third doctor and having an ultersound scan that a) i,m not pregnant and b) i have a ganglion and that they will try and drain it a bloody big needle. which is better than 3 weeks off work and not being able to do anything for a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteOooh.
DeleteThat sounds "interesting..."
Good luck with that, Chris.
:-(