Postcard from Timperley

The Manchester 10K Run, and a bit of Jazz

2026-06-03T11:46:22.930+01:00

On 31 May 2026, 'Team Owen' took part in the Manchester 10 kilometre race, together with over 38,000 other runners. Owen overcame his difficulties to finish in a personal best of under 1 hour and 5 minutes. Remarkable, as he was hoping to get a time of 1 hour 15 minutes. He was accompanied by Jan, Sue and Paul, who all helped each other to dodge past the 1 hour 15 minute runners with whom they set off.

Here are Sue, Owen and Paul at the finish.

They raised a four figure sum for NSPCC. Donations can still be made here.

Well done, Owen, who is pictured below with his mum, who kindly produced lots of goodies in a bid to preserve Owen and the rest of the team's state of euphoria.

Full results are here. Whilst the running area was crowded, there was plenty of space nearby to linger in Manchester's familiar sunshine.

Next day, the Aire Valley Jazz Band entertained us at Eagley Jazz Club. An excellent evening's entertainment once the band had quickly set up after some of them had been delayed on the M62 motorway.

The Aire Valley Jazz Band's musicians are:

Andy Henderson (cornet, vocals and band leader), Andy Wallis (reeds), Eugene Farrar [?] (trombone and vocals), Jim Wright (banjo and vocals), Phil Kampen (bass), Rod McNamara (brilliant on drums).

Saturday 30 May 2026 - A Short Walk from Ribblehead

2026-06-02T15:42:00.073+01:00

Click on any image for a better version or slideshow

Nine of us assembled at Victoria station for the 8 am train to Ribblehead, a ramblers special on which we were delighted to encounter Reg's daughter, Sangeerththa. Whernside towered above the railway line as a train arrived from the other direction.

We grabbed coffees and enjoyed looking around the small museum that chronicles the history of the railway and the Ribblehead Viaduct.

At this stage - mid morning, we strolled past the Railway Inn and headed towards the viaduct and the track that leads to Blea Moor.

Today's trip was organised by Jeanette for the 'Potatoes', a group of Hale citizens who decline to spend their retirement on couches. Paul, Jeanette, Rufus, me, Sue, Colette, Nick, Steve, Chris and Liz.

There's a lot of information available on the viaduct, including on Wikipedia, a short extract from which is as follows:

By the end of 1874, the last stone of the structure had been laid; on 1 May 1876, the Settle–Carlisle line was opened for passenger services. During the 1980s, British Rail proposed closing the line. In 1989, after lobbying by the public against closure, it was announced that the line would be retained. Since the 1980s, the viaduct has had multiple repairs and restorations and the lines relaid as a single track. The land underneath and around the viaduct is a scheduled ancient monument; the remains of the construction camp and navvy settlements (Batty Wife Hole, Sebastopol, and Belgravia) are located there.

Goods trains were using the line as we rose gently to the level of the railway near the Blea Moor signalbox.

There were lots of folk on the path. The 'Three Peaks Challenge' - Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough - was popular today. The timings would bring those challengers past Ribblehead at around this time. Given the lack of rain, bridges across the streams weren't necessary today, but they could be utikised - just because they are there.

We reached the point where our view of the railway sees it disappearing into a long tunnel.

We took photos in both directions before heading back to Ribblehead by an altenative route that afforded good views towards Ingleborough and across to the viaduct..

Near the Inn, a plaque commemorating the workers who constructed the viaduct by hand in the 1870s, and those who revived it in the 1990s using state of the art equipment.

Here's the route we took - 8.5 km, with 80 metres ascent, taking a good couple of hours.

After beers in the garden of the Railway Inn, we adjourned to a table indoors and a substantial meal.

Then a picturesque journey to Carlisle, followed by the West Coast Epress to Oxford Road and a tram home to complete a very enjoyable outing.

Artwork at Carlisle Station

Friday 29 May 2026 - GM Ringway Stage 9 - Greenfield to Newhey

2026-06-01T15:31:13.737+01:00

We walked this stage on 7 August 2025, report here, and this was a 'catch up' outing for Jeanette, who missed the previous walk due to injury. Only Sue, Paul and I managed the 7 August walk, though Rick caught up soon afterwards. There was a much better turnout this time, with the original three being joined by Jenny, Sue W, Andy and of course Jeanette, as well as Rufus. We were blessed once more with perfect walking weather that combined with a modest pace made the 21 km route seem less than arduous.

Rufus missed this stage last time. It's about the limit of his comfort zone. He must have anticipated this and decided on taking a nap (as well as his boss) on the short train ride - the 10 o'clock from Piccadilly to Greenfield.

Greenfield, and the other villages we passed through today were enjoying a brass band competition and separate events in each village. Just as well that we were travelling on foot as many of the roads were closed. Here's a procession that we met before leaving the station platform.

There was a crush in a somewhat overwhelmed 'Platform 13' café, one of the best coffee and cake providers on the entire GM Ringway route.

We strolled down to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal with our takeaway refreshments, passing a boat that must have either missed the turn into the marina, or perhaps it was expelled from the marina.

Anyway, there was plenty of room for the seven of us to enjoy our coffees beside the spacious marina.

This stage of the walk starts gently along the canal towpath for some way, passing locks and running beside the River Tame.

A family of Canada geese didn't know whether to welcome our attention or shy away from it.

A nervous pup agreed to be friends with us, but only from the security of his lifebuoy.

As we reached Uppermill a tremendous party was taking place beyond some stepping stones across the River Tame, and beyond another lock the impressive Uppermill viaduct dwarfed its surroundings.

Here we are looking back past one of many cafés we could have patronised had Platform 13 not been available, soon after passing under the viaduct.

We left the canal here and continued past Brownhill Nature Garden (to be visited on a separate occasion) and onwards into the village of Dobcross, where the inhabitants were waiting in anticipation for the procession.

After that we climbed steeply above the village and views opened out across the lush landscape of the Chew valley, with the 'Pots and Pans' obelisk dominant on the horizon. (There's more about this in my August entry.)

The Upper and Lower Castleshaw Reservoirs soon came into view. Our route would see us contouring all the way around these reservoirs, between which the site of Castleshaw Roman Fort may be discernable to those with more imagination than our party was blessed with today.

Continuing towards Standedge Foot Road along a bridleway that may sometimes be damp underfoot, we spotted several giant puffballs, sadly a bit past it for eating purposes.

A resident had kindly mowed a section of the grass verge, on which we enjoyed elevenses.

We reached the Pennine Way where two mountain bikers were glad of their supplementary electric power that would see them steaming ahead over Millstone Edge to the next hostelry on their itinerary.

The walk continued with good views and a posed picture of Jeanette and Andy next to a 'Marsden Moor Heritage Trail' plaque.

The high point of 448 metres by the trig point on Millstone Edge, and time for another photo, with even Rufus standing to attention!

Swathes of cotton grass waved in the light breeze.

A suitable spot, sheltered from the cool breeze, was found for lunch.

Those two Castleshaw reservoirs seemed to be with us to our left for much of the day.

The Pennine Way was left to its own devices as we headed down Moor Lane to Denshaw, where numerous coaches from all over Europe were disgorging brass bands onto the closed roads. The lack of traffic certainly made the trudge up Rochdale Road a little less unpleasant than it might have been.

After passing several closed restaurants, a left turn took us near pylons onto Crompton Moor, where numerous regulations seem to have been necessary to keep the behaviour of the residents of nearby Shaw, Oldham and Rochdale in check.

The good path led us past a precipitous drop and along a downhill route towards our destination. Afternoon tea was taken on a curious bench at the end of a drystone wall.

After admiring the views from above, we descended through woodland to a good path past numerous information boards that led directly into Newhey.

A short diversion lead us to a 'spectacular waterfall' that as on our previous visit had been overcome by a fit of shyness.

The clump of Yellow Iris flowers seemed to attract more interest than the waterfall. At least you could see them.

Pleasant paths led past fields of cows and an extensive meadow that could make a good cricket pitch, to the Metrolink Station. No trams were operating, so a replacement bus service took us on a lengthy but not unpleasant journey all the way back to Victoria Station and a normally operating tram home along the Altrincham line.

Here's our route for the day - about 21 km, with 600 metres ascent. An excellent day out.

Meanwhile, Rick was taking a rest after some energetic Morris Dancing, and after applying his local history research brain to the photography of Harry Wilkinson - a Trafford Local Studies project that readers may find of interest - see here. Quite a project, well done Rick.

25 to 27 May 2026 - Around Timperley and a Spunch at Marple

2026-05-28T23:24:41.494+01:00

The Bridgewater Canal's towpath in Stretford currently houses a wonderful display of Early Purple Orchids. I passed them on my way to Didsbury to feed Millie, who wouldn't let me leave.

There was a very summery feel to my bike ride beside the River Mersey, just approaching Simon's Bridge in Northenden at this point.

Later in the day (25 May), a routine 5 km stroll from home with Sue brought us past some nice reflections.

The Merlin 'App' delivered sounds from about 20 different birds, plus a number of 'Seen but not Heard' - Carrion Crow, Canada Geese and Black-headed Gulls.

26 May, and I couldn't resist the tempation to enjoy iced coffee in a garden in Hale. Thanks, P&J. En route I passed King George V Pool, where there's a fine display of Yellow Iris flowers.

Then on 27 May, Sue and I enjoyed our fourth adventure into 'Spunch Land' in the woods around Etherow and Marple Bridge.

The pictures should speak for themselves.

As usual, we met a few people who we knew - Tim and George, and Jenny (an old work colleague of Sue's) and her daughter Abbie. As usual, there was post run food, and we enjoyed tasty fare from the Wong menu - they set up outside the Northumberland Arms especially for the occasion. It was well attended, with about 125 participants for the three timed options - 60, 90 and 120 minutes. We have always chosen the 120 option.

All very jolly. Here's where Sue and I went during our alloted two hours. We covered almost 13 kilometres. Our results are also shown below.

Well, that was fun. All after a visit to 101 year old Dot, who's recovering from a fall and is having memory problems.

Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May 2026 - Around Fort William and Montrose

2026-05-24T17:09:45.897+01:00

Tuesday - Fort William and Neptune's Staircase

A slow start. The forecast rain didn't arrive. Sue made a nice scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast while I contacted some of Gary's mutual friends. Gemma (his daughter) said he had wanted to contact us but had deteriorated rapidly.

The funeral will be on 19 June.

The morning passed quickly in the conservatory, under the dulcet tones of the resident chaffinch.

After lunch, a 21 km bike ride for me and Sue, to Fort William and Neptune's Staircase. Here are a few pictures taken in between showers, including one above where the railway crosses the River Lochy.

Here's our 21 km route.

Cuckooflowers line the towpath at this time of year.

Wednesday - The Hermitage in Dunkeld, and Montrose

We drove in pleasant weather to Dunkeld, for a walk around the area known as The Hermitage.

Click on the next picture for a readable version of the highlights of the Hermitage.

There are several iconic bridges over the River Tay in this area.

The woodland is beautiful at this time of year, with many different shades of green as the leaves emerge from the year's new shoots.

Ossian's Hall is a long, thin building dating from 1757.

Nearby, the River Tay plunges down a series of cataracts.

Ossian's Cave dates from when the pleasure grounds were first opened in the 18th century.

A little further on, more white water flows under the Rumbling Bridge.

After pausing for lunch on a massive picnic bench near some beehives, we worked our way round a 7 km loop, passing through a magnificent avenue of pine trees before returning to the car park and our onward journey to Montrose.

Here's our route - 7.6 km with 180 metres ascent, taking us a leisurely couple of hours. Well worth it if you are passing through Dunkeld and fancy a short break.

Later, we got installed in the Links Hotel in Montrose - a lovely room with a balcony and a bath - and said hello to TGO Challenge Control next door in the Park Hotel, promising to help with tea and biscuits for the finishers over the next couple of days.

We soon met up with Ali, Gayle and Mick for an impromptu convivial evening with some nice Thai food at the Ma Yom restaurant.

Thursday - Teamaking at TGO Control, and a walk to the beach

We've been here before. Pictures are from a quiet moment in the Park Hotel, and a walk to the beach.

Friday - Challenge Control and a bike ride

After a busy morning with the teapot, Sue and I grabbed a chance to cycle 5 km to Charleton Strawberry Farm, where we met a variety of Challengers passing through with only 6 km to go to finish their walk from the west coast. Some of the paths in the disused aerodrome were bordered with the sweet coconut scent of gorse, a pleasant change from the sweaty atmosphere back at the Park Hotel!

Here's our 11 km route.

Back at the Park Hotel, a table of socks that participants could swap for the pair in their goody bag if that was the wrong size. These excellent Darn Tough socks would have to be returned to the sponsor, UltraLight Outdoor Gear. I'm not sure of the arrangement, but it seems a shame that the socks (albeit every finisher gets a pair) are not for sale.

Coming towards the end of tea and biscuit service, this next picture shows the team at work after several of us had returned from a largely uneventful vetters' meeting.

Later, there were about 100 people at the Friday dinner, which seems to be more popular every year. There had been 130 the previous night, and a good number on the Wednesday as well.

Speeches and awards... dinner finished quite late.

Saturday - Montrose parkrun, the strawberry farm, and a five hour drive home

After saying goodbye to our friends in the Park Hotel, we drove a couple of km to the start of the parkrun, where we were joined by Mick and Gayle and by veteran parkrunner (he lives in Bushey), Charles Harmer. I think there may have been a few more Challengers there as well. Gone are the days when Sue and I were amongst very few Challengers to have even heard of parkrun.

Here we are with Charles at the start.

There were 193 finishers, and our results went something like this: (full results here)

Charles - 24:21, position 31 (well done, as he was the only one of us who had actually completed the Challenge)

Sue - 25:58, position 52

Martin - 34:19, position 146 (my 7th time here)

Mick - 48:47, position 179

Gayle - 49:10, position 182

It goes without saying that Mick and Gayle had decided to walk round, otherwise they would have been ahead of me. Here they are with Alethea McHardy near the end,

After cake at the parkrun finish, we went backto the strawberry farm for one of their iconic tarts, Alethea and Mags McHardy joined us, amongst other Challengers and parkrunners.

All in all, a successful TGO Challenge, ably 'controlled' by Di Gerrard and her team. Well done, everyone. The one week version - Challenge East - for less experienced or time constrained backpackers was also a success.

Then we drove home.

Gary Beighton

2026-05-19T10:43:53.944+01:00

Sad news today. We learnt of the passing on 15 May of my contemporary at UMIST and good friend over the years, Gary Beighton, after a short illness.

More donations to cancer charities will no doubt follow. Other good friends are undergoing treatment for cancers. It's almost as if there's an epidemic.

We remain in Fort William before spending a few days in Montrose and returning home on Saturday, after which I will wrap up this series of postings with a single report on the last five days of the trip.

The picture of Gary was taken in 1970, at a party to celebrate our success in the 55 mile charity walk - Bogle Stroll, in which Gary was a reliable team member.

RIP Gary

Monday 18 May 2026 - The Grey Mare's Tail and West Highland Way

2026-05-18T21:26:51.744+01:00

Today was supposed to be a rest day for Sue, but the poor weather that had been forecast was postponed, so it was another Munro bagging day for her, bringing her tally to 20 since 26 April, only 4 of which she had been up before.

A 45 minute drive saw us parking up in the Grey Mare's Tail car park in Kinlochleven (£4.30).

Sue soon zoomed up towards the 1056 metre summit of Na Gruagaichean, whilst I went to a viewpoint for the next picture.

The Grey Mare's Tail was just visible ahead.

I soon entered Via Ferrata country. Not today, thanks.

Before long I was below the waterfall. To give perspective, the next picture shows the full drop of 50 metres.

Bluebells were abundant and I caught the songs of at least eight bird species in a small section of woodland.

Blackbirds can be added to this list.

The Pap of Glencoe stood out in the view down Loch Leven.

The metropolis of Kinlochleven was now far below. This was home to an aluminium smelting operation employing up to 800 people before its closure in 2000. Now it's a tourist town - the West Highland Way passes through and the Ice Factor, the world's biggest ice-climbing wall, opened in 2003, now welcomes over 150,000 visitors a year.

Numerous rhododendrons were passed on the steep climb to the former Mamore Lodge Hotel, suggesting a throwback to an earlier era when such specimens were brought back from distant regions such as the Himalaya.

The mountain on the right below is Beinn na Caillich, near the summit of which I enjoyed an idyllic campsite on 17 May 2010, before descending to the Mamore Lodge Hotel to pick up a resupply parcel on my 4th TGO Challenge.

Today the house sitter I met has long gone and the once splendid shooting lodge (and latterly hotel) dating from the late 19th century is now surrounded by a high fence and in a dilapidated state.

I wonder what happened to the full size snooker table that I noticed in one of the impressive rooms when I passed by in 2010?

A little further on, I met an elderly gentleman who was helping with some field studies for second year geology students who were littering the place. His response to my question "were you a teacher?" was in the affirmative and accompanied by a lecture on the local geology that had me thinking that he was possibly a retired professor from Imperial College, on a mission to help the second year students on their first foray outside the lecture room, which he described as 'challenging'.

We sat on a bench chatting, and admiring the wonderful view down Loch Leven.

Soon after that I joined the West Highland Way path, not overly busy today, and walked all the way back to Kinlochleven with two mountain bikers who were walking in order to avoid any mishaps with the numerous run off ditches for rainwater.

The American lady cyclist was due to complete a 550 mile route around northern Scotland later in the day at Tyndrum. Her friend for the day was a more confident local mountain biker with whom I had a good chat on the way down.

On reaching the road at Kinlochleven, I admired a nice sign pointing walkers to Fort William. This was just off the well signposted West Highland Way route.

By the time I got back to the car I'd walked 5.7 km, with 280 metres ascent, taking a leisurely 2.5 hours.

Sue arrived back a couple of hours later, having happily got a view from her 1056 metre summit.

Sunday 17 May 2026 - Around Loch Cuaich

2026-05-17T20:47:22.931+01:00

Our home for a few days - Craiglea Cottage in Fort William.

On a showery day, Sue and I headed towards Glen Quoich so that she could climb Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach.

There's a parking spot just next to where the stalkers path up Gleouraich starts through a tangle of vegetation.

Sue set off in the rain, and after a while I went for a stroll along the road, reaching the Glen Quoich bridge after 2 km. I passed lots of bright yellow gorse and was followed by a black redstart at one point.

Major roadworks are in progress here. Luckily they don't work on Sundays, so we avoided delays.

There's a good view from the bridge, down Glen Quoich to Alltbeithe and the South Kintail ridge.

(Though the actual ridge was doused in cloud.)

The western ramparts of Sue's hill were clear, though I suspect the top was in cloud.

A short way along the Glen I turned around and headed back towards the bridge, not wanting to be late for Sue. Here's the view back from my furthest point along the Alltbeithe road.

Back at the bridge, there's a friendly sign broadcasting onward paths from this point.

The path does however suffer, a few metres further on, from a locked gate and an obnoxious sign. Walkers certainly don't require authorisation to pass along this ancient route.

A few metres before the locked gate and it seems that the road to Kinloch Hourn, currently closed to traffic, is being prepared for something big.

The weather cleared as I found my way back to the car.

Here's evidence of my modest day out - a 'there and back' walk of 7.5 km with 120 metres ascent, taking rather less than two hours.

Sue was back down by 3:30, having set off into the rain at 10:30. She volunteered a 'snow report'.

Saturday 16 May 2026 - Cnap Cruinn

2026-05-16T23:40:15.180+01:00

Paul and Jeanette left early to do a parkrun at Oban before going home. That left just five of us to enjoy Sue's scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast.

Then Tom, Julie and Roger set off for home. Sue and I said goodbye to the excellent house at Taigh Mor, then we headed to Fersit, just beyond Roybridge.

Sue nipped up the two Easain Munros whilst I drove back towards Inverlair, from where a track leads to the foot of Cnap Cruinn.

After a gentle ascent through woodland, serenaded by cuckoos and woodpeckers, Cnap Cruinn appeared as a brown lump on my horizon.

Other, higher, mountains were poking through the gaps.

Just beyond the last plantation, after an easy 5 km walk, I left the track and started a steep slog up to the broad summit. It was squishy underfoot but my Keen Targhee III trail shoes proved a match for that. My pace dropped from 4 kph to just 1 kph.

The 742 metre summit is marked by a small cairn, next to a comfortable and nicely sheltered rock seat on which I enjoyed my lunch. Meanwhile, Sue was enjoying her own lunch on her second summit - in the centre of the next picture.

Several pictures were taken before I left to descend via an easier gradient.

Wood anemone flowers accompanied me all the way down.

Inverlair is a small hamlet with nice houses and bullfinches in residence.

I was soon back at the car and chatting to a couple of chaps in the Fersit car park, to which Sue soon returned.

There was noone else on Cnap Cruinn today, nor any sign of a path to the summit, whereas Sue had paths all the way and encountered twenty or so people.

Here's my route - 15.3 km with 645 metres ascent, taking over 5 hours.

Then we adjourned to Craiglea Cottage, on the outskirts of Fort William, our home for the next few days.

Friday 15 May 2026 - A Bike Ride to Fort William and back

2026-05-15T18:00:50.710+01:00

Today's pictures start with one from last night's sunset over The Ben from our dining room.

They continue with a picture from summer in the mid 1990s, courtesy of Martin Whittle's wonderful scanner. I wasn't always first to be ready to set off. Dave Scruby beat me to it on this occasion.

Today's itinerary was more modest. David went to the Lake District; Sue, Roger and Tom went to Glenfinnan to climb some Munros; Julie went to Mallaig to climb a small Marilyn; Paul and Jeanette pedalled off on a repeat of Tuesday's bike ride to Fort Augustus (I think they extended it to 100 km), and I embarked on a modest bike ride to Fort William and back, starting with a 30 mph descent to cross the canal at Gairlochy.

All the way to the series of locks at Neptune's Staircase, my route followed the good surface of the towpath.

The route I took followed Sustrans bike route number 78, missing a right turn after a weight challenging bridge that would have taken me along the Great Glen Way. Anyway, the route through housing was fine, and I passed a sculpture in memory of workers at the nearby aluminium plant.

Continuing to the harbour, I reached the Morrisons supermarket and stopped for a first lunch next to a plaque signifying the start of the Great Glen Way.

On the return journey I did locate the Great Glen Way path that follows the River Lochy, avoiding housing, and wends its way to join the towpath at Neptune's Staircase.

Some of the shipping seems to have foundered to a sad end in the Lochy estuary.

I continued around the estuary to Corpach, from where it was an easy ride along the towpath, with good views towards the Ben, and the fragrance of coconut, to the café at Neptune's Staircase. Coffee and cake.

After re-crossing the canal at one of the locks it was a straightforward ride back to Gairlochy in continued good weather, stopping near Moy Bridge for a second lunch. Nice boiled egg.

An enjoyable morning's ride, covering 37 km in 3 hours, with just 100 metres of ascent.

There were a good number of folk doing the first section of the Great Glen Way today. Some already looked weighed down and exhausted. I hope they get the pleasure to which they've been looking forward.

Thursday 14 May - Creag Bhan

2026-05-14T21:15:04.553+01:00

Julie's continued assault of the 1550 'Marilyn' (relative hills separated by a 150 metre drop) summits proceeded to summit number 1396, where she was joined by me and Tom on the 510 metre monolith known as Creag Bhan.

After parking in a lay-by on the A830 road beyond Glenfinnan, we soon found the path that goes under a small railway bridge near Lochailort.

Looking back, the Corbett summits of Moidart beckoned, but our objective today was in the opposite direction.

We rose gently to a good viewpoint overlooking the iconic railway line. A horn blared but no train appeared. We continued upwards, failing to capture an image of the DMU as it passed below.

I've been wanting to walk up this path for some years, as it is a TGO Challenge route from the Lochailort starting point, notorious for failed attempts to find Prince Charlie's Cave, and the difficult shore line of Loch Beoraid. In the event our path took us to the left of the cave, becoming an easy grassy slope up the flanks of Creag Bhan.

Here's the view along Loch Beoraid. At least I established that the route so far as I went was on a good path.

Up at the summit, after my hat had blown away and been recovered from a pond, it took several attempts to negotiate the windy, rocky ramparts, but Tom did eventually gain a position from which to record me and Julie on the top.

It was windy.

We enjoyed good views to Moidart, as well as to Eigg and Rhum.

A good spot sheltered from the wind was found for lunch.

A direct descent to the path on which we had started up the hill got us all the way down with no incidents. Here's Julie on the last part of the descent.

Here's our route, just 7 km with 500 metres ascent. It took Julie and me a good 4 hours. Tom ran down a little quicker and had gone to his next appointment by the time we reached the lay-by.

Thanks go to Julie for suggesting this jolly excursion.

Wednesday 13 May 2026 - Beinn a'Bhacaidh

2026-05-13T17:54:13.588+01:00

A drive to beyond Fort Augustus had me realising how far we had cycled yesterday.

Anyway, after just a 45 minute journey, Julie and I set off in fine weather up this small hill that qualifies as a 'Marilyn' (a relative hill). There were soon good views down to nearby Loch nan Lann.

Julie got way ahead as I faffed with clothing adjustments on the showery morning.

But the summit never seemed far away.

Here's the view from a promontory on the way up.

And we soon made it to the summit.

We didn't stay long, but a break in the weather did allow a coffee interlude on the way down.

Further down, here's the ford by a small cairn from where steep grassy slopes had earlier led easily to the summit.

Continuing on our 5 km walk, we saw an impressive building in the distance.

We were soon back at the car for lunch in comfort. Others - Sue, Roger, Tom and Paul - lunched elsewhere in a bothy after climbing Stob Ban in the Grey Corries area.

Here's our route - 5 km with 350 metres ascent to the 555 metre summit. It took us little more than 2 hours.

A good choice for a rainy day.

Tuesday 12 May 2026 - A Bike Ride to Fort Augustus and back

2026-05-12T21:44:00.000+01:00

On a showery day I joined Paul and Jeanette for a leisurely bike ride. We are pictured above at the start.

The view across Loch Lochy displayed a cloud covered Ben Nevis.

We soon got good views along the loch.

After four miles of newly surfaced road we took a right turn along a forest track. Soon we came across Paddington, near a new looking bothy.

By the time we reached Laggan Locks, it was time for elevenses.

Once we got going again we found ourselves in lovely woodland next to the Caledonian Canal.

There is evidence of a railway line that never reached its planned destination due to competition for different routes.

The waterway was quite busy today.

We arrived in Fort Augustus in time for lunch.

Returning the same way, we crossed the canal at Culochy Lock.

The showers had certainly dampened the old railway track.

We paused for a while to admire the 14:30 from Fort William.

Oops - it ran out of track...

Before leaving the canal in favour of woodland paths, we appreciated the coconut aroma from the densely packed Gorse bushes.

Today's route followed the Great Glen Way and Sustrans cycle route number 78. There was a well signposted diversion around a new hydro project.

Soon after this, we reached the road and an easy ride back to Taigh Mor. We had cycled 76 km with nearly 700 metres ascent. It took us a leisurely 7 hours.

Monday 11 May 2026 - Meall an t-Slamain

2026-05-11T18:17:00.000+01:00

While others chose more demanding options, I joined Julie for the ascent to a magnificent viewpoint at 467 metres.

Setting off from the shore of Loch Linnhe at Camusnagaul, we clinbed through the forest for about 200 metres on a good path. That was it. The path left us to scramble steeply up to a communications mast at 291 metres.

Just beyond the mast, a trig point provided the foreground for the view ahead, and the mast served the same purpose for the view back towards Fort William.

The continuing pathless ascent rewarded us with views towards the summit, which didn't appear to be far away.

A series of false summits revealed that we had further to go than we anticipated! Here are Julie and me at one of them.

Fine views.

Are those the Paps of Jura in the distance?

A few photos from the 467 metre summit....

....before a 45 minute break for lunch, during which we were treated to several fly pasts by flocks of swifts.

Meanwhile, Sue and Roger were busy summiting Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag. Here's Sue at a lunch point, and one of her views.

Elsewhere, two members of our group were failing to rise above the 2 metre contour line for their lunches.

After our very leisurely lunch, Julie and I pottered off to descend to the communications mast, taking avoiding action by contouring to bypass the false summits.

We continued to enjoy good views all the way to the communications mast, from where we descended to the coast road via the mast's rubbly access track.

Here's our route - all of 8.7 km, with about 500 metres ascent, taking a little more than 4 hours. At a very leisurely pace.

I didn't hear any cuckoos or see any lizards today, but numerous flora is in flower, including the following:

Primrose

Cuckooflower

Lesser Celandine

Gorse

Common Dog Violet

Dandelion

Bluebells

Wild Strawberry

Sundew

Orchids

Cotton Grass

Lousewort

Milkwort

Tormentil

Wood Sorrel

Wood Anemone

Butterwort

Bog Asphodel

Here are a few of those that littered the verge of the A861 road back to Camusnagaul.

Primrose

Cuckooflower (aka Lady's Smock)

Lesser Celandine

Gorse

Common Dog-violet

Dandelion

Bluebell

Wild Stawberry

Yellow Pimpernel

Sunday 10 May 2026 - Beinn nan Cabar

2026-05-10T21:23:00.000+01:00

Whilst Sue, Tom and Roger went up Sgurr Choinnich Mor and met TGO Challengers John Bridge and Darren Smith, Julie and I went nearly all the way to Arisaig to climb a rough and ready Marilyn called Beinn nan Cabar.

After a brief spell in pretty woodland we emerged onto a nice path for a couple of kilometres. The distinctive summit of Eigg appeared behind us.

The path crossed a stream and headed to an obscure point where it divided. We turned left. The correct route was to the right.

We wrestled our way up a steep gully and were confronted by a good view of our mountain - some way ahead, beyond an impressive rim of crags.

The views back to the coast had by now widened, but they soon disappeared into a fog of light rain.

After a while we found the fence that was marked on the map and which comprised a line of ancient metal posts that led eventually to the cairned summit.

It was cool, wet and breezy on the summit, so we descended to a more sheltered spot for lunch.

Continuing down, we were thankful to have GPS and digital mapping to assist in getting us to the right place. Even then, it took us several attempts to avoid the crags.

Meanwhile, we emerged from the mist to regain coastal views towards Eigg.

Throughout the day we were bombarded by the sound of cuckoos.

Looking back, another nearby hill beyond a large puddle.

On the way down we met a family who had wisely decided to abandon their attempt to reach the summit - a good further 4 km beyond the end of the 2 km path that they hadn't yet reached. It was raining.

After nearly 6 hours on this complex hill we returned to Julie's car after walking for 13 km with 600 metres ascent. Here's the route we took.

Earlier, 5 minutes of 'Merlin' on the deck at breakfast time resulted in the following bird calls being identified:

I wish I could actually see them all as well as hearing them.

As I write, an evening cluster of Martins are harvesting the air outside despite the steady rain that's falling.

Taigh Mor and Penrith parkrun

2026-05-09T21:17:00.000+01:00

After 340 miles we reached our home for the next week. Great views towards the Ben.

⁸

We had taken a break at Penrith - the tenth time I have done this parkrun.

I was in position 239 out of 334 in 30:48, my quickest time for 5 km this year.

Sue finished in 25:01 - position 102, a PB for Penrith.

Paul was ahead, and Jeanette was behind us.

We saw Lindsay Harrod again - she finished just ahead of me.

Thursday 7 May 2026 - Greek Night at Aspire

2026-05-08T21:28:00.001+01:00

Together with Paul and Jeanette, Sue and I were treated to another delicious meal at South Trafford College's Aspire restaurant.

What's not to like about an ouzo cocktail?

I'd eaten the feta and basil bomb before I remembered to get the camera out...

This was billed as 'On Arrival', but we'd already got through a plate of assorted bread rolls.

Pork shoulder 'To Start'

'Intermediate' - fried fish fillet

Main - Duo of Duck

A sharing selection of desserts

To accompany our coffee (or even to take home)

That was a lovely meal. Sadly, thanks to the academic year, we now have to wait until October for their next offering.

Persie House 2026 - Index

2026-05-08T12:47:00.000+01:00

Saturday 25 April 2026 - Penrith parkrun, Falkland Palace and Persie House

Sunday 26 April 2026 - Cat Law

Monday 27 April 2026 - Branklyn Gardens and Kinnoull Hill

Tuesday 28 Apriĺ 2026 - Carn a' Mhaim

Wednesday 29 April 2026 - Hill of Persie and Creigh Hill

Thursday 30 April 2026 - Glen Feshie

Friday 1 May 2026 - Carn Aosda, The Cairnwell and Carn a' Gheoidh

To view these posts in order, go to the 25 April posting first, and when finished click on 'Newer Post' to proceed to the next one.

Wednesday 6 May 2026 - Spunch Monton and Worsley

2026-05-07T14:06:00.000+01:00

This was our third go at a Spunch event, the first two being recorded here and here.

Despite being poorly attended - with just 31 participants - this was another most enjoyable outing on a lovely evening in pleasant surroundings.

We started at the Waterside Bar in Eccles, opposite the Bridgewater Canal lighthouse that needs a coat of paint.

Sue and I got off to a steady start and progressed well until a hiccup found us on the wrong side of a fence, and there was a short 'lost in Worsley Woods' episode that we shared with one of the other runners who we kept bumping into.

The evening light at the canalside in Worsley was lovely - the camera came out and was kept out for much of the remainder of our outing.

Sue stayed ahead of me for most of the event, and as has become the norm, she bagged a few 'outlier' there and back satellite checkpoints points whilst I enjoyed walking for a while.

There were quite a few folk enjoying the evening light in Worsley Woods, a small proportion of which are familiar to us, and we recognised sections of our bike ride from home to the RHS Bridgewater Gardens, and also points on the parkrun that thankfully weren't as knee deep in water as we found them last time we did that parkrun.

The next picture is typical - Sue with her head in the map, forging ahead towards the next checkpoint, whilst I stroll along in her wake.

She does wait for me now and then, especially when she reaches a checkpoint.

Towards the end of our outing, from checkpoint number 74, we found ourselves by this monument near some interesting half timbered housing.

Here's Garmin's take on our route, though both of us failed to record the first five minutes. On the far right you can guess that we turned back at point 55 rather than risk being late to finish. On reflection, we could probably have bagged four more checkpoints had we gone around the top of the golf course. Never mind, we did ok as shown by the results shown below.

Here we are, 12 out of the 31 participants chose the 120 minute option. Click on the image for a better view. Apparently I did 13.09 km, and Sue did about 14 km - a good evening's exercise.

Adjourning to the bar for food and drink, we spent a pleasant half hour chatting to Sue and Steve Marsland. Sue was 65 today, and chose this outing as her birthday treat! She has just 40 Munros to complete (Sue B is now down to 48 to go) but doesn't seem to have the same desire as Sue B to get them finished.

Thanks as always go to Andy Thornton, who must put a great deal of effort into organising Spunch events in Manchester and Cheshire.

Sunday 3 May 2026 - The Mike Dunne Memorial 10 km Run

2026-05-06T09:28:00.001+01:00

Mike sadly succumbed to cancer in 2023. He was a stalwart member of Sale Harriers and was committed to helping out in whatever way he could at Wythenshawe Park's Community runs of 2km and 5km held every Sunday at the running track. This was the third Memorial Run and was completed by 195 runners and walkers in perfect conditions

My report on the 2024 event is here, and on the 2025 event, it's here. All my '10km' postings are here.

Sue and I are pictured near the 9 am start.

Off we go. I'm nearly last as usual and have a brief chat with 'Tail Runner' Alison before continuing at a modest pace.

Organiser Paul was on hand to cheer people past the bike track corner.

The course has a couple of sections where slower runners like me meet faster ones who may be 1 to 2 km ahead. I seem to meet the same folk - Paul Lockett, Frank Cordingley, Jan Williams, Tris Pocock, for example, every year. Not so many photos this year as I was battling for position with three fit ladies.

Paul was too fast for me, and I'd have had to wait a couple of minutes for Sue to pass.

Below, Paul Wood was one of only two VM70 runners, whereas there were five of us in the VM75 category. I chatted to Paul afterwards, we may encounter him on a Spunch event.

Mike Curley, one of the VM75 runners excelled himself by finishing in a time of 47:23. Well done Mike and friends.

Afterwards we lingered at length in the courtyard, whilst Jan almost bankrupted himself as coffees were ordered and re-ordered. It won't be his round again for a long time!

Sue and my results are shown below, together with my splits - despite a desire to walk after reaching the 5 km point, I seem to have gone a bit quicker after that (trying to stay ahead of the three fit ladies...)

The full results are here.

That's it for now - after another great (and successful) fundraising event.

Saturday 2 May 2026 - Perth parkrun #570

2026-05-05T16:37:00.000+01:00

On our way home from Persie House, Sue and I paused our journey in Perth. Phil and Sue would have joined us, but Phil fell off his bike yesterday and hurt a leg. He tells of being confronted by a giant rock (perhaps the size of a paperweight?) that threw him off the bike and down a steep bank next to the track. Anyway, he went to a hospital in Aberdeen, where his bones were deemed to be intact, and not in the separate bits that concerned him.

It was a pleasant morning in Perth.

399 runners and walkers assembled at the start, where a large number of pacers were there to help people to better their PBs.

I set off gently, as did Sue, as we were due to take part in a 10 km race the following day. I stayed near the back and took a few photos on the 'there and back' course next to the River Tay..

Our leisurely pace saw me home in 38:29 in position 354 out of 399, and Sue finished in 27:07 in position 177. Full results are here.

Friday 1 May 2026 - Carn Aosda, The Cairnwell and Carn a' Gheoidh

2026-05-05T12:14:00.001+01:00

For our last day based at Persie House, Keith took a crowd to Monamenach and I joined others for a walk from the Glenshee Ski Centre. This always reminds me of a brilliant day out on 24 June 1989, when John Mansell (RIP) and I climbed seven Munros in a day from this pass. I had new boots that gave me blisters, and we were carrying full rucksacs in preparation for camping near the summit of Beinn Iutharn Mhor. The trip was also memorable as we had only decided to do it the previous evening after a meeting in Jackson's Boat to sort out arrangements for a memorable AV2 expedition in the Dolomites, so our day had started with a 310 mile drive to Glenshee.

We soon passed the last of the ski buildings, as we headed up to the Munro summit of Carn Aosda - a short but steep pull up from the car park.

We were soon looking back down to the pass from the 917 metre summit.

Our next objective was The Cairnwell, an easy walk past Loch Vrotachan.

I had a short rest by this bench constructed from old skis.

The 933 metre summit of The Cairnwell is not the most exciting Munro summit, though it may be the easiest to reach - just a 40 minute stroll from the vast car park.

We soon set off towards our next objective, the slightly higher, at 975 metres, Carn a' Gheoidh.

A spot out of the cool breeze was chosen for elevenses.

Then we continued to the summit cairn of our third and final Munro of the day, this one also being of 'Marilyn' status.

Pictures were circulated by various people at various times - here on the tops of The Cairnwell, Carn a' Gheoidh, and the lower summit of Carn Mor.

A large bird studied us at length.

We were rewarded with good views from the broad ridge along which all of us except Mike (who went back down to the car park) descended to the Spittal of Glenshee where Julie's car was conveniently parked.

There were good views across the valley to Glas Tulaichean, where the little dot pottering along the ridge could well have been David.

To the east, a good view of the hills to the east of the pass, where Dan had chosen to go today.

We milled around and finished our flasks on the top of the lesser summit of Carn Mor, before finding a good track down to Julie's car.

This route, courtesy of Julie, proved to be much better than heading straight down to the car park, and was enjoyed by all of us - me, Sue, Julie, Simon, Jenny, Richard and Roger.

16 km, with 650 metres ascent, taking about 6 hours.

Later, a speech from Keith, celebrating 40 years of marriage, and a few well chosen words from David.

Then our last dinner together, followed by indoor and outdoor photos.

Subject to a bit of editing of earlier diary entries, that's it from Persie House, a good venue for up to 24 of us, with perfect weather and hearty meals provided by chef Heather, helped by her mum, Moira.

Thursday 30 April 2026 - Glen Feshie

2026-04-30T22:03:00.002+01:00

Sue had one remaining Munro to climb in the Cairngorms. Despite the need for a long (hour and three quarters) drive, we pulled up at the Achlean car park near Feshiebridge before 10am.

Sue then shot off to climb Mullach Clach a' Bhlair on another 'blue sky' but rather windy day.

Meanwhile, I had a day off, just venturing out for a short walk in the breeze.

I turned back at the Achlean ford and went looking for the footbridge higher up. I couldn't find it. Here's my route - 5.3 km with 140 metres ascent.

Sue got ahead of her 7 hour schedule and went to the top of Sgor Gaoith, her second Munro of the day, before returning to join me at the car just a little over 6 hours after setting off.

Wednesday 29 April 2026 - Hill of Persie and Creigh Hill

2026-04-30T14:40:00.003+01:00

Nearly all of our squad of 24 joined forces to celebrate Keith and Carol's Ruby wedding anniversary for a walk from Persie House to Persie Hill and back.

We started from our back door and soon passed the small loch behind the house. My Merlin app recorded 16 different bird songs in very little time.

We soon formed a long crocodile on the side of the hill.

A jolly party enjoyed drinks and cake at the 447 metre summit cairn.

There were good views on the 'blue sky' day.

Most of us then yomped through the heather to the 444 metre trig point on the nearby summit of Knock of Balmyle, from where there were more good views.

From time to time on this and other walks this week, hares scurried between viewpoints and small brown lizards squirted from under our feet.

After returning to base through a tree lined avenue, we enjoyed lunch outside the house.

We had walked just 6.3 km, with 220 metres ascent, in a very leisurely two hours and 45 minutes.

Persie House glowed in the sunshine.

In the afternoon Keith and I went east to the Backwater Reservoir to climb Creigh Hill, a small hill apparently topped by the remains of an Iron Age settlement.

It was a shame to leave the 498 metre summit, but Mac had insisted that we should be back and washed in time for his quiz.

This little outing comprised 4.2 km with 210 metres ascent, taking an hour and a half.

And the quiz was a success.

Tuesday 28 Apriĺ 2026 - Carn a' Mhaim

2026-04-30T11:05:00.002+01:00

Leaving Persie House at 7am enabled Sue to depart from the Linn of Dee car park an hour later for her cycle into Glen Lui and the traverse of The Devil's Point, Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine.

The River Dee was in benign form as I crossed the bridge beyond the National Trust car park (above).

Sue shot off ahead whilst I made a false start, having forgotten to bring the key to my bike lock. The easy track as far as Derry Lodge, then a push over a narrow bridge and a more difficult pedal, with sandy sections and water culverts, led me to within 250 metres of the bridge over the River Lui, where I decided to abandon the bike. Of course, I had the key, but the actual bike lock was sitting happily back in the car. Never mind.

Here's the view back down the valley from Luibeg Bridge.

And this is looking up the valley.

Soon I was on the steep ascent to the 1037 metre summit of Carn a'Mhaim. Starting at around 500 metres, this ascent wasn't demanding, especially as I knew that others in our party had given me a 2 hour start.

On reaching the summit I enjoyed good views all round, and particularly across to The Devil's Point, from where Sue had already broadcast her progress.

Here's the view back to Derry Lodge.

A couple joined me on the summit and kindly took a photo.

After consuming half my lunch, I said goodbye to the couple and headed back down via the substantial cairn at the subsidiary 1014 metre summit.

Good views as I descended, on the way meeting those who had given me a two hour start, before I reached Luibeg Bridge again and embarked on a search for my discarded bike.

This tree stump had me puzzled.

A pleasant bike ride got me back to the Linn of Dee car park by 3:30. Here's my route - about 20 km on the bike plus a 7.4 km walk with 600 metres ascent, taking me a little over 7 hours.

The others turned up at 5:30, after a paddle in the river, and Sue pedalled in 20 minutes later, slightly ahead of schedule after a brilliant day's walk and an impressive three Munro tally.