Well the expectations have been growing and growing, this was a long and patiently awaited adventure for many of us, myself included, the chance to finally get into the heart of Knoydart, explore its wild and rough bounds, excellent!!! But rather gloomy doubts were building much like the dark clouds on the horizon as we headed off last Friday evening, setting sail on across the loch on our mini flattila of 2 boats, a powerful jet boat for the alcohics to get to the pub and a gentle cruise boat for the others. Alighting on the dock of the bay just before sunset, we found out just how friendly this local community was when I accidently loaded everyones bags into the wrong vehicle, no matter they simply drove our bags to our destination... no worries- what a great place. Meanwhile more good news, the beer was great!!!
The first problem, leaving the pub to fight for our beds! Run everyone raced off after the luggage, to ensure they got the best bed in the bunk house, which we all did!!! Now Shaun filled us all in with a quick briefing before heading back off down to the pub for dinner, and it was great food too!!! Hurrah alls going very well. A very happy, well fed and ambitious group then settled into a very sociable session, which had to be carefully balanced, enough beer to sleep through any snoring, without promoting any snorers beyond level 7 on the ricter scale! More good news, I got it right, didnt hear a things, sorry if it was me that was snoring!!!
Saturday and what a beginning, Shaun headed off in the rain, taking some of the physically strong, but mentally weak walkers on a beautiful stroll around the coast, ah bless-Phil on an easy walk-whatever next!!! Meanwhile those that we couldnt put off with driving rain and torrid weather forecasts headed off to climb a BIG Munro. On the flat the English set off at a cracking pace, but they were soon overtaken once the Highlanders got amongst the rough high lands. An endless climb, which continued to break many spirits brought us to the beginning of the ridge which then tested the nerve and inner strength of the group even further with a massive 8 false summits before we eventually summited the top of Ladhar Bheinn at 4pm!!! Only 6.5miles to the pub, tally Ho!!! Next dilema, walk past the pub for a shower, or stay and drink beer, watch the sun go down and await dinner!!! Hmmm tough one!!!
Sunday tired leg syndrome! What was going on, even the olympiads like Grahem were caught having their inner thighs massaged in preparation for the day, could it be that yesterday had taken its toll??? Off we went and I must admit we were somewhat slower out of the blocks this morning, a very plesant pace and everyone coped great on the flat! But the combination of yesterday and terrain was taking its toll, usually shiny happy faces were finding Knoydart tough, but we all continued on, even up a rather stiff little Gully to the top of Meall Buidhe, where we were rewarded with great views-hurrah!!! It was worth it wall!!! Now we gave the group an choice, descend the ridge, or continue on for a second munro? Wow Shaun was rather surprised, even with his boyish good looks, a even having taken a shower that very day, he could only persuade a few to descend... the rest decided to carry on along the rocky ridge to Luinne Bheinn!!! What a ridge and what resolve, this wild country was inspiring us onwards and we seemed to float along the ridge to our final summit. Once again the gods shone down on us and we gained views into the stuning Mam Barrisdale and across to the Glenfinnan Horseshoe... stunning and worth every step! However someone must have upset the gods as they changed their minds and started raining on us shortly after and so began a long walk back. Fortunately your clever and resourceful guides had a cunning and marvelous plan, and a 4*4 had been dispatched to bring back any with tired limbs and so in the age of equalicy the guide to the first place in the car to direct them home, leaving a happy punter jogging along behind, as the day clearly was not enough for Phil!!!
All that was left was the celebrations, a birthday drink or two, some silly games, oh and some useful customer feed back for a very contented looking Shaun.
Well done mate, a great weekend, hopefully the first of many
The first problem, leaving the pub to fight for our beds! Run everyone raced off after the luggage, to ensure they got the best bed in the bunk house, which we all did!!! Now Shaun filled us all in with a quick briefing before heading back off down to the pub for dinner, and it was great food too!!! Hurrah alls going very well. A very happy, well fed and ambitious group then settled into a very sociable session, which had to be carefully balanced, enough beer to sleep through any snoring, without promoting any snorers beyond level 7 on the ricter scale! More good news, I got it right, didnt hear a things, sorry if it was me that was snoring!!!
Saturday and what a beginning, Shaun headed off in the rain, taking some of the physically strong, but mentally weak walkers on a beautiful stroll around the coast, ah bless-Phil on an easy walk-whatever next!!! Meanwhile those that we couldnt put off with driving rain and torrid weather forecasts headed off to climb a BIG Munro. On the flat the English set off at a cracking pace, but they were soon overtaken once the Highlanders got amongst the rough high lands. An endless climb, which continued to break many spirits brought us to the beginning of the ridge which then tested the nerve and inner strength of the group even further with a massive 8 false summits before we eventually summited the top of Ladhar Bheinn at 4pm!!! Only 6.5miles to the pub, tally Ho!!! Next dilema, walk past the pub for a shower, or stay and drink beer, watch the sun go down and await dinner!!! Hmmm tough one!!!
Sunday tired leg syndrome! What was going on, even the olympiads like Grahem were caught having their inner thighs massaged in preparation for the day, could it be that yesterday had taken its toll??? Off we went and I must admit we were somewhat slower out of the blocks this morning, a very plesant pace and everyone coped great on the flat! But the combination of yesterday and terrain was taking its toll, usually shiny happy faces were finding Knoydart tough, but we all continued on, even up a rather stiff little Gully to the top of Meall Buidhe, where we were rewarded with great views-hurrah!!! It was worth it wall!!! Now we gave the group an choice, descend the ridge, or continue on for a second munro? Wow Shaun was rather surprised, even with his boyish good looks, a even having taken a shower that very day, he could only persuade a few to descend... the rest decided to carry on along the rocky ridge to Luinne Bheinn!!! What a ridge and what resolve, this wild country was inspiring us onwards and we seemed to float along the ridge to our final summit. Once again the gods shone down on us and we gained views into the stuning Mam Barrisdale and across to the Glenfinnan Horseshoe... stunning and worth every step! However someone must have upset the gods as they changed their minds and started raining on us shortly after and so began a long walk back. Fortunately your clever and resourceful guides had a cunning and marvelous plan, and a 4*4 had been dispatched to bring back any with tired limbs and so in the age of equalicy the guide to the first place in the car to direct them home, leaving a happy punter jogging along behind, as the day clearly was not enough for Phil!!!
All that was left was the celebrations, a birthday drink or two, some silly games, oh and some useful customer feed back for a very contented looking Shaun.
Well done mate, a great weekend, hopefully the first of many