Dennis,

Posted on 30th Aug 2013 by essiep

17°C,cloud.
For the first time in twenty years, I am going to the dentist today. A filling dropped out last winter and today it will be replaced. There was a moment a few weeks ago in the check-up that reminded me of childhood trips to church. We were supposed to confess sins, but being kids we hadn’t done anything wrong so we made things up. Aren’t kids supposed to be innocent anyway, but that was the catholic church. That guilt ridden haven for child molesters, never could get morality right.
Anyway, the Dennis asked me how long since my last appointment (confession). Her mouth fell open at the answer. My choice.

Been, done it and caved in to the anaesthetic. She said it would take 20-30 minutes- I thought that meant drilling so agreed to the needle. She was only cleaning out the hole for the new filling and only drilled for another few minutes. I now have a properly working white tooth.

I resisted the temptation to say: “see you in another twenty years” as I left.

That was the holiday that was.

Posted on 29th Aug 2013 by essiep

17°C max. white cloud.
straight to the point, That was the best holiday had for years.
Three excursions- Wales, Scotland and Corsica. All involved hiking, or other exercise. I am now in super physical shape, have a deep tan and feel deeply relaxed. For now anyway, work is coming over the horizon and therefore- stress.

14*3

Posted on 28th Aug 2013 by essiep

CK:Distance: 32.73mi, time: 02:01:37, pace: 3:43min/mi, speed: 16.15mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/36823944
I hoped to get weight down this summer so I can enjoy cycling more. 200lbs seemed a good number to aim for.
Well, here I am, 198lbs. It won’t last though. Normally, I gain half a stone in the winter. That itself is not such a problem, it’s good to have some resources in case you get ill.
As an aside–

This is the tree stump where I have cooked supper in Glen Coe over the last three years. Nostalgic moment.

Last card.

Posted on 27th Aug 2013 by essiep

Today’s ride: CR-Distance: 55.32mi, time: 03:31:23, pace: 3:49min/mi, speed: 15.70mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/366243771

last week of the holiday and a mountain of marking looms. England’s weather did a grand job of welcoming us back from the med. Temperatures reached 24C, even higher out of the shade.
As always, I ride better the further I go. The first ten miles were stiff and un-natural in feel. But after twenty miles, and numerous short bursts out of the saddle, the good feeling came back.
A problem next week will be sitting at work when I am used to long periods of exercise. I can sympathise with the restless kids though.

Monte Corona, Corsica,

Posted on 22nd Aug 2013 by essiep

30°C, hot, sunny, ne wind.
Big climb: through endless pine and beech forest. The walk in was a long steady gradient through forest. A magical fairytale forest filled with strange animal sounds and clouds of butterflies that rise as you walk. Feathery lichens littered the ground and pillows of alpine flowers were in full but tiny bloom. What an enchanted place, intoxicating.

What a big climb too, a long long slog I stopped at the refuge, a wooden hut provided for hikers on stage 1 of the GR20. Three horses waited nearby, untethered. Were they used to bring up supplies for the warden?
From there, I found the trail to the col and thence the summit of Monte Corona, 2,144m. Bolders covered the ground which made for good scrambling. They were solid, made of granite and offered a good grip.
I couldn’t stay at the summit for long, I feared loss of light at end of the descent in a dense forest.
A day of good fortune though. An easy, fast 2 hour descent got me to the road just as light failed. Only then did I need the head-torch. Even my frayed boot-lace held right to the end.

Short sharp hike.

Posted on 21st Aug 2013 by essiep

I walked Distance: 2.20mi, time: 01:27:56, speed: 1.50mi/h.
http://mapmyhike.com/workout/363026325

Dry and dusty in comparison to last time I walked this way. Even the dried out thistles were gone.

GR20 recce

Posted on 20th Aug 2013 by essiep

30C, clear, light ne.
Visit the start of the GR20 on Corsica. Planning a potential hike on past of the main route. The paths appear clear and well marked. The heights are way above what I am used to- more like the alps.

We swam in the shallow rapids and sprang over large rounded bolders. It seems easy from here. The choice of routes is wide, from 2 hours to over 6. There is an 18km route that that includes a 2300m summit and a long ridge walk. Could take ten hours., but the return is long and follows easy valley terrain.

Goodbye Scotland

Posted on 13th Aug 2013 by essiep

19C, brighter further south.

Here is the inevitable melancholy end of holiday shot. I always leave Scotland with a lump in my throat at the end of a visit. I get it in Wales, but this seems more precious.
I bought a book of walks in the southern highlands so maybe, a shorter visit is practical. The western highlands are just too far to drive for a short visit.

Beinn Eunaich

Posted on 12th Aug 2013 by essiep

14°C, drizzly showers,
Last Monroe of the trip. Not a difficult climb by any means. It was interesting in a few specific ways.
1, vegetation- very mossy on the top: perhaps this top is almost always in cloud. The moss was just like the stuff I find in the gutters at home. It filled the gaps between bolders but did make them rather slippery. Although not as bad as black mosses, it still requires a change of approach.
2, Cruachan is a mountain that has been turned into a massive hydro-electric station. It can pump water up into the lake to use later in time of high demand on the national grid. More interestingly, it also draws water from Eunaich through tunnels. It can collect water directly from streams via small dams then channel them through the tunnels that run deep below the ground, right under the mountain. It was one of these tunnel entrances that fascinated me.

Tunnel entrance.

Tarkovsky would have recognised them. You’ll see what I mean when I can upload some pictures.

I found this place rather spooky. Looking into the tunnel is looking at an endless inky blackness that gurgles and thunders an deep mix of sounds that makes the mountain seem alive.

Through the gate…

Oban

Posted on 11th Aug 2013 by essiep

14°C heavy showers.

Moved to escape the worst showers. They were really torrential in Fort William. As I write, I am sitting in my steamed up car looking upwind at a brighter sky. Supper is out there cooking on the stove.
There remains one full day before the long drive back home. How best to use it remains a pressing question. And as always on these trips, it all depends on the weather.

This morning, we encountered two pigs rooting in the adjacent aspen wood. They have cleared the undergrowth except the bracken. It was funny watching them eat brambles. I couldn’t resist tweaking his nose. It’s hard and leathery- all the better for rooting with.
This evening, a different campsite has highland cattle to watch over us. They seem very calm but mildly curious.

Micycle

Mike thinks b/hikes

Monthly Archives: Aug 2013