Friday 8 May
The vanguard. Judith and Joka the dog arrive at Broomfield camping site around 2pm, chauffeured by me with car and trailer tent, to the accompaniment of gales, rain, sun and blue skies by turns. Once the gales had blown the rain away for a while allowing the trailer tent to be properly erected, one of the regular Monday morning runners asked to be excused to use the Porta-Potti (as a substitute lamp-post as it turned out).
Wandered around Ullapool awaiting the arrival of others. As we returned, there were Kaz & Al soon to be followed by Liz & Phil, Jane & Graham, Ali & Seonaid - all accompanied by youngsters thrilled to bits to be next to more water than even they could deal with. Tents erected, food cooked, children counted, conversations flowed and eager anticipation at tomorrow's events. George & Kirsty (staying sensibly under a hotel roof) joined the party to complete the first day's complement.
Saturday 9 May
A group of stalwart folk assembled and headed for the nearby hills determined to come, see and conquer. As pictured, the group has managed the first two of that threesome. George also displays his super-clean thumb fresh from pulling plums out of pies whilst saying what a good boy he was (as indeed he is).
Having headed over the hills, the group reached the bridge at the head of Loch Achall where a (more-or-less) well-planned split had Judith (dodgy knee) and I (no excuse), George (just dodgy) and Kirsty head back down Glen Achall while the rest headed for more hills.
George couldn't help show his feelings about the prospect of this sad separation but we all cheered him up by telling him what a great job he was doing. Al even offered to direct a film starring George as an heroic fire-fighter saving a group of tourists when a remote bridge catches fire unexpectedly.
The four of us got back safely in the expectation the others would be less than an hour behind us. As the time stretched on, a certain degree of concern emerged, especially as mobile phone contact didn't happen. Eventually, after two hours or so, the advanced guard appeared followed shortly by the balance of the group - all well, if rather shattered. Plenty of warm drinks and calories sooned restored health and well-being to go with the sense of achievement.
While this occupied the bulk of the party, Phil and Graham quietly went off on their own and ran over a few Himalayan-style mountains that put our stuff in its place. Weather prevented them managing all of their objectives but the rest of us thought what they did was pretty amazing.
The last of the weekend's arrivals came with Wendy & Lawrence in their campervan (or mobile cafe as it became known).
So evening fell quietly and off we all trolled into Ullapool where fish & chips went down well with most of us - accompanied with, and followed by, various alcoholic drinks for those of suitable age. A very full day ended for most with the sleep of the virtuous.
Sunday 10 May
Sunday brought even more sunshine and clear blue skies and gave the chance for a variety of activities. Some headed off towards Stac Pollaidh, some went cycling, some went walking from the campsite, some went off looking at wildlife in local tourist boat. Here Phil and George fail to wave from the boat as a photo opportunity presents itself.
A stroll along Glen Achall with Liz, Kaz & Al brought Judith, Joka & I to the end of L
och Achall to the sound of a cuckoo looking for a mate. More cuckoos in Scotland than you might think. As the cameras emerged by the side of a tranquil Loch Achall, Al thought his rucksac was an interesting photo opportunity but Kaz was apparently not impressed.
Liz and Judith discussed
which kind of leg injury was the most interesting; Kaz suggested it was the kind from running 53 miles (her amazing achievement on 25 April). The concensus was that they're all a pain. Liz's gammy leg seems well on the road to recovery; Judith has a half-marathon to run on 21 June so that knee had better be better and Kaz is planning a non-stop run round the world (or something) though a stroll down Glen Achall seemed to go down well.
So Sunday afternoon saw the assembled gathering de-gather and head off to appointments with work and stuff. Before the departure however, a new line in female Lycra running gear was briefly modelled here in reclining pose by an anonymous Strathearn Harrier. The manufacturers say they are excited by the response to this picture already received.
As the sun made its reluctant way into the northern sea, nature provided the occasional reminder of just how fantastic the weekend had been and how disappointed all those others will be who couldn't make it to the event of the year. And midge-free......
Many thanks once more to George, Phil, Liz and everyone who made this a weekend to remember. Could this be an event to find a regular place on the calendar? As to that fantastic weather.....
The vanguard. Judith and Joka the dog arrive at Broomfield camping site around 2pm, chauffeured by me with car and trailer tent, to the accompaniment of gales, rain, sun and blue skies by turns. Once the gales had blown the rain away for a while allowing the trailer tent to be properly erected, one of the regular Monday morning runners asked to be excused to use the Porta-Potti (as a substitute lamp-post as it turned out).
Wandered around Ullapool awaiting the arrival of others. As we returned, there were Kaz & Al soon to be followed by Liz & Phil, Jane & Graham, Ali & Seonaid - all accompanied by youngsters thrilled to bits to be next to more water than even they could deal with. Tents erected, food cooked, children counted, conversations flowed and eager anticipation at tomorrow's events. George & Kirsty (staying sensibly under a hotel roof) joined the party to complete the first day's complement.
Saturday 9 May
A group of stalwart folk assembled and headed for the nearby hills determined to come, see and conquer. As pictured, the group has managed the first two of that threesome. George also displays his super-clean thumb fresh from pulling plums out of pies whilst saying what a good boy he was (as indeed he is).
Having headed over the hills, the group reached the bridge at the head of Loch Achall where a (more-or-less) well-planned split had Judith (dodgy knee) and I (no excuse), George (just dodgy) and Kirsty head back down Glen Achall while the rest headed for more hills.
George couldn't help show his feelings about the prospect of this sad separation but we all cheered him up by telling him what a great job he was doing. Al even offered to direct a film starring George as an heroic fire-fighter saving a group of tourists when a remote bridge catches fire unexpectedly.
The four of us got back safely in the expectation the others would be less than an hour behind us. As the time stretched on, a certain degree of concern emerged, especially as mobile phone contact didn't happen. Eventually, after two hours or so, the advanced guard appeared followed shortly by the balance of the group - all well, if rather shattered. Plenty of warm drinks and calories sooned restored health and well-being to go with the sense of achievement.
While this occupied the bulk of the party, Phil and Graham quietly went off on their own and ran over a few Himalayan-style mountains that put our stuff in its place. Weather prevented them managing all of their objectives but the rest of us thought what they did was pretty amazing.
The last of the weekend's arrivals came with Wendy & Lawrence in their campervan (or mobile cafe as it became known).
So evening fell quietly and off we all trolled into Ullapool where fish & chips went down well with most of us - accompanied with, and followed by, various alcoholic drinks for those of suitable age. A very full day ended for most with the sleep of the virtuous.
Sunday 10 May
Sunday brought even more sunshine and clear blue skies and gave the chance for a variety of activities. Some headed off towards Stac Pollaidh, some went cycling, some went walking from the campsite, some went off looking at wildlife in local tourist boat. Here Phil and George fail to wave from the boat as a photo opportunity presents itself.
A stroll along Glen Achall with Liz, Kaz & Al brought Judith, Joka & I to the end of L
och Achall to the sound of a cuckoo looking for a mate. More cuckoos in Scotland than you might think. As the cameras emerged by the side of a tranquil Loch Achall, Al thought his rucksac was an interesting photo opportunity but Kaz was apparently not impressed.Liz and Judith discussed
which kind of leg injury was the most interesting; Kaz suggested it was the kind from running 53 miles (her amazing achievement on 25 April). The concensus was that they're all a pain. Liz's gammy leg seems well on the road to recovery; Judith has a half-marathon to run on 21 June so that knee had better be better and Kaz is planning a non-stop run round the world (or something) though a stroll down Glen Achall seemed to go down well.
So Sunday afternoon saw the assembled gathering de-gather and head off to appointments with work and stuff. Before the departure however, a new line in female Lycra running gear was briefly modelled here in reclining pose by an anonymous Strathearn Harrier. The manufacturers say they are excited by the response to this picture already received.
As the sun made its reluctant way into the northern sea, nature provided the occasional reminder of just how fantastic the weekend had been and how disappointed all those others will be who couldn't make it to the event of the year. And midge-free......Many thanks once more to George, Phil, Liz and everyone who made this a weekend to remember. Could this be an event to find a regular place on the calendar? As to that fantastic weather.....
