View from Oban Bothy

View from Oban Bothy
Showing posts with label TGOC...virtually 2020. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TGOC...virtually 2020. Show all posts

Thursday 4 June 2020

TGOC2020 - virtually the fifth bit.

Beryl the Peril had slipped through a worm-hole and travelled up to Scotland by train. Beryl (aka Margaret) had been on one of Alan’s Daunders and after a few days in the company of Challengers she’d decided that they were (mostly) harmless. 

We met up at Aviemore and then road-yomped seven miles to the Cairngorm Lodge SHYA where both Carl and Lynsey were also staying. A very pleasant evening followed.





Next day we headed east (East is good) to Alan’s completely not spontaneous Cheese & Wine Party which, as always, proved to be good fun, although slightly chilly.






Okay, it was bloody freezing. Nowt new there.

Next day we enjoyed a marvellous walk over the tops in the general direction of Braemar, stopping to spend a very windy night at a sheltered pitch just large enough to squeeze our tents in:



We were up early-ish next morning to continue our glorious walk over some high ground where we spotted an interesting installation - I think it was something to do with a university:



Then, via Braemar, to Callater - to enjoy the unrivalled hospitality of Bill & Co.  







The evening included drinks, dinner, a birthday party, a fashion show, poetry recitations, the occasional odd song (some were VERY odd) – it was an evening in agreeable company. 


















In fact it relaxed some guests so much that they fell asleep, mid-conversation. Amazing really.



Next day, the walk over Lochnagar in snow was fun…shame you couldn’t see a right lot:













Our camp spot by Loch Muick that night was a little lumpy but otherwise fine.

Then there was Tarfside. Well….. all I can say in mitigation is that I don’t drink whiskey.










Tarfside is always full of jollity, fun and cheerfulness:
 

More intense relaxation followed….some were so relaxed they couldn’t keep their eyes open. I wonder why…


Which reminds me: Belated Happy Birthday Lynsey!

Monday 25 May 2020

TGOC2020….virtually the second bit

Days 4 and 5 of my virtually virtual Challenge: 

The bunkhouse at the Tomdoun Hotel wasn't the most comfortable, but it was clean(ish) and it had a shower. 




Leaving on a chilly but bright and dry morning, Day 4's route wasn't particularly inspiring, mostly road walking to Invergarry for chips and beer. 

It was here, in the Invergarry Hotel Bar, that I met Bernie, Billy-Whizz and others for the first time. Was Pauline Marshall there? And Trudie Buttrick? Probably.


I let slip that I was aiming to be at Melgarve the next day.... and The Famous Secret Ceilidh. My fate was now sealed, there was no escape. I was kidnapped, taken to Glen Buck Bothy for a night of great fun, then onto Melgarve the next day, guided by Billy-Whizz. 


 Glen Buck Bothy

Kidnapped:





We stopped at Luib Chonnal Bothy for lunch out of the mizzle. In the bothy someone opened a tin of Heinz Beanz with Pork Sausages....I'm surprised that person got out alive! The smell was delicious....now that's something I thought I'd never say! 

The Melgarve bash was amazing. Terry Leyland had arranged for my melodeon to be transported to the bothy, Waggy's concertina too. 

I met so many 'famous' names, including Di Gerrard, Denis, Nev and Anne, Terry Leyland, Trudie Buttrick, Waggy... I'm told I really enjoyed myself - lots of great conversation, singing, music, food....and maybe the odd beer. Or rather more.



Next day, in the aftermath, we headed East (East is good) in the company of Nev & Anne. Nev was another who carried a huge pack – I was beginning to feel slightly less self-concious.

Tally-Ho! Whitworth Wander / Turkey Trot 2023

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