Episode 3

Steve Kimber (SpecialK) & Daryl Crossley (daryl_crossley)

In conversation, recorded live on Stand 38 at the Harewood Classic Car Show 2010

Episode 2

Steve Kimber (SpecialK) & Jason Holmes (jasonbulldog)

The 2nd Annual Coast & Curry Run

In conversation, recorded live on North Marine Drive, Scarborough.

Episode 1

Steve Kimber (SpecialK) & Kevin Bellwood (the drummingfro)

In conversation at the White Rose Classic Car Show 2010

Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (a mountain loch on the Ben Nevis Path)

Height at the loch approx 640m – 1680ft

Words by Sarah Kimber

11 months to the day that Dad and I went to the top of Ben Nevis, Jack, Steven and I set off to walk/climb up to the loch one third of the way up to Ben Nevis.  This would be an achievement if all three of us manage this, with Steven’s op on his knee just 3 ½ months ago.  Steven had decided to see how far he could get, and if necessary turn back with Jack and I continuing up.

The sun was out and it was a beautiful day for a walk!  After packing up, collecting provisions from the co-op in Corpach on route, we parked in the Visitors Centre.  The parking meter machine was not going to get the better of me this time and all was well as we set off, over the suspension bridge onwards up the Ben Path.

The Seat

We fair skipped up to the seat in 45 minutes, we were now in our stride with all the other walks we had done over the last 10 days or so.  With a spring in our step we headed up the path beyond the seat.  The first part heads in the opposite direction to that taken so far, and so the view aspect is back towards the Visitors Centre, and not along the Glen, as it is whilst walking up to the seat.  The path then turns on a hairpin bend heading back towards the Glen, all the while ascending over a very stony path, but fixed stone in the main.  The feeling is that of walking up over giant, uneven stairs as you make your way, precariously in some parts, along the edge of the mountain.  There are some sparse trees along the path, and some tiny streams of water passing over the path.

Regeneration Sign

There are a couple of aluminium bridges to cross, which I daren’t look down whilst crossing; they allow walkers to pass over the wider gullies in the mountain side, and it’s a long way down underneath.  Now there are two parts of the path that I really hate, and these are where the stones haven’t been laid by conservationists to create a path, but have been spat out by the mountain and have come to rest at strange and dangerous angles, making them difficult to cross.  Feeling somewhat unsteady over these two parts – which do not last long, but which make me very nervous – we crossed the first, and then eventually the second.  Both these sections are before the path basically “turns the corner” round the mountain and out of view from the road below.

Aluminium Bridge

Once the corner has been turned it is a steep, ascent up the stone “stairs”, taking plenty of short breaks to rest Steven’s knee.  At one point Steven looked up contemplating the challenge; I told him not to think about it, but just to put one foot in front of the other!  Very good advice I think.  Jack would have skipped up the whole way and been back down before we reached the loch, had we let him.  He’s as fit as a lop and didn’t show any signs of fatigue at any point.

What is strange is the varied types of people the walk attracts.  There was an older man, probably about 75 or more in no more than running shoes, shorts and a vest top, carrying a hat in his back pocket and he was running up the path; he was headed for the top.  He then passed us on the way back down, minus the vest top, but still running.  He was as brown as a conker with very weathered looking skin.  A very young man, also running, passed us and everyone else, at speed – it looked like only the tips of his toes were skimming the stones as he headed downwards.  Then there were some ladies in fashion boots, lads in plimsolls, and a dog with a carrier coat on with a handle so that her owners could carry her at any point they saw fit.

The Path Down

There comes a point in the path, where a sign points walkers in a certain direction to help with the regeneration of the pathway.  Some people ignored this and then appeared to come unstuck further up – they were attempting to “cut a corner”.  We followed the right path, as it is just too dangerous for us to follow any other, quite frankly.  As we headed up the final part to the loch, the stone path gives way to a wider, smoother but none the less still ascending path that is a relief to walk on.  This signals the plateau were the loch is visible, but you still have to walk some way up this path before the loch is revealed.

Lunch at the Loch

Hurray, all three of us had made it – although we were only half way through our walk!  We found a rock on which to park ourselves and have lunch.  Steven and Jack had sandwiches, I had a fruit and nut bar, and we all had a banana and chocolate.  It was rather a lot cooler up on the plateau as the wind was blowing quite strong and cold.  I can’t imagine how much colder it would be up at the snow field, and the summit today.

Beyond the Seat....And onwards to the Loch

We stayed there about 20 minutes and then decided we had better make a move back, as it was nearly 4pm already.  When I think about last year, Dad and I hadn’t even got to the top at this time.  We had set off at 10am and got up to the top at 4.15pm.  And we had begun our descent at 4.30pm.

At the Loch

As the three of us began our descent, it was clear this needed to be steady to allow Steven’s knee a chance of lasting the whole way down without giving up.  So slowly and surely we gingerly picked our way down.  I was smugly thinking this was the easy bit for me, I find it much easier walking down the path and a whole lot harder when walking up.  Just at that point I slipped and banged my back on the edge of a pointy stone in the path.  Pride comes before a fall…. quite literally!  After this, I really took care and didn’t feel as confident.  Serves me right I guess.

And all the while the sun was shining and the views were stunning – although you can’t look up too often as you have to concentrate on where your feet are going.  And people were passing us, both going down and some were still heading up the path.  It was really busy; I was as staggered this year as last at the number of people out on the path.

Jack carries Mum

Again, the two hated sections were crossed with trepidation, and the two aluminium bridges, every step taking us closer back down to the valley floor. We rested at the seat again, laughing as we had sat here only on Saturday and thought that was quite a walk! Paling in comparison to what had just been achieved.  We made it back to the path that crosses the farmer’s field and although Steven’s knee had held out, it had begun to tweak a bit and the steepness of the field going down caused some pain.  The last kick in the teeth for him was the angle of the descent from the suspension bridge!  But we all made it back without anything giving way or dropping off.

Back at the Seat

We will take the last two days of our holiday as well deserved rest days……  although I would still like to climb up to the Dun Deardail Fort!

Day Out – Drumnadrochit & Inverness

Woke up this morning with a slight problem…..my legs wouldn’t work!

Even the loosening effects of the lovely bath I had soaked in last night, had gone.  Instead, I felt like my body was teetering and balancing on two matchsticks that could break at any moment.

We had breakfast and got the car packed and ready to go.  It’s a lovely drive to Inverness when the sun is shining.  Last year it was tipping it down when we drove the A82 out to Fort Augustus, but today it was blazing.  Our first stop on the way was Urquart Castle looking out over Loch Ness.  To get access to the castle itself, you have to pass through and pay at the visitor centre, but we were not intending staying long, so we just had a wander around the perimeter wall and took some photo’s and looked at the castle from a distance.

 

Urquart Castle

A short drive later, you come to Drumnadrochit.  We parked in the car park, next to the tourist info office and you could also use the loo’s.  Both the car parking and the toilets are free.  There was also a green Rover 75 just like ours in the car park, so for a bit of a laugh and as I like a bit of fun, I parked ours right next to it!  I was just getting out of the car and walking away, when the owner of the other one came back, so I said….Oooo look! Twins!!! And laughed…….he didn’t!!! Sad Git!….

75 Twins

After a little bit of shopping, we decided to have lunch at a bar/restaurant called Fiddlers.  This proved to be a good move.  It’s a great little place, it’s next to the road and has plenty of outside tables and plenty more inside, but on a sunny day like today, the only place to be was outside.

Fiddlers Bar

We chose our meals and waited and had a drink…..and once again, I was pleased to say, they had Hebridean Gold behind the bar. It’s a lovely beer, from the Isle of Skye Brewing Company and is made with Porridge Oats…so you can have it for breakfast aswell!!

Breakfast Anyone?

To accompany the beer, Sarah and I had Venison Chilli and Jack had a Butchers Burger and they were all enjoyed very much.  Jack making particularly short work of his burger!!

Jack & Burger

After lunch we set off for our final destination of Inverness.  I have to say, I don’t know what to say about Inverness actually, other than its very much like any other city in the UK…it doesn’t feel very touristy and it doesn’t feel like a holiday destination.  It does have a castle though, but even this is a rebuilt one, dating back to 1834, but there has been a castle on that spot since the 12^th Century.  One of the nice things we came across when we were up at the castle, was the view down the River Ness.

Flora MacDonald & Castle

River Ness

Cow Hill Mast

Height at Summit 278m – 834ft

Words by Steven Kimber

This walk is categorised as hard in the guide book due to the extremely steep ascent and descent at the beginning and end.  We also decided to start from the Braveheart car park, rather than the Visitor Centre.  In doing this we added a further 2km distance to the walk. It seemed like a good idea at the time!

After walking the extra 1km on the West Highland Way to the turn off up the hillside path, we set about the hill……god what a hill! It just went up and up and was just stupidly steep from the off.  It twisted its way up the hill and was unrelenting; there were no real flat areas where you could take a breather…and I needed one, I was panting like a dog!  Sarah was looking in the same sort of pain that I was and what made it worse was Jack was just skipping up in front of us like a bunny rabbit over a grassy bank.

Steep Up the Hill

Eventually…..what seemed like bloody ages actually, we got to a less steep bit! Through a very strange gate which opened towards us and came up at a 45 degree angle, it just looked wrong.

What we were presented with was a long and winding never ending track, which we couldn’t see the end of.

Never Ending Path

As we walked we could see some little specks of colour on another pathway, which looked miles away…..it turned out it would be the same path we would be on much later on.  We eventually came to a marker post which turned our direction to the right and put us on the final leg to the summit of Cow Hill.

This Way for Cow Hill

After 1.6km hike on an undulating track, we eventually reached the summit at 3pm….2 hours after setting off from Braveheart.  The views were brilliant from up on the top as you can look out over Fort William below, Loch Linnhe stretches out towards the south and Loch Eil away to the West.

At the Summit

Loch Linnhe

We didn’t stay too long as it was cold and windy, but long enough to enjoy the view and have a good look at the detail laid out before us down in Fort William.

Long Path

This walk is not a circular route, so we just had the simple task of re-tracing our steps back to the West Highland Way….and the extra 1km at the end!

We managed a good pace on the way back and got to the 45 degree gate and all was well.  Then the trouble started. As soon as you pass the gate, you are 20m away from entering the forest section and the steep steep track, this time heading downhill.  To say this section was difficult is a bit of an understatement.  Within 10 minutes, both my knees were aching, after 20 minutes my knees and thighs were screaming…my thigh and calf muscles felt like concrete and were beginning to seize up.

Add to this the fact that the track was loose gravel, with larger stones and big boulders thrown in for good measure and it was nearly impossible for me to stay upright…I would have been better off on a tea tray and sliding down!

Jack heading down for the Woods

All the while, Jack as usual was taking it in his stride and skipping merrily down the path.  After what seemed like an age, we made it back to the WHW and the last 1km back to Braveheart.

Cow Hill sign in West Highland Way

When we got back to the car we got our boots off and felt very relieved to have made it back.  It was then that we saw two chaps walking towards the car park from one of the lower paths. They were dressed quite strangely…what looked like American outdoor mountain wear and cowboy hats.  Jack said he thought one of them looked like Orlando Bloom.  I reversed the car out of the space to turn round, and then got a good look at one of them.  I have to say I am pretty good at knowing a face and it was definitely Orlando Bloom.

Plus, I still always apply Knowles Law to celebrity spotting.  It was devised by Andy Knowles and me, when we worked together in Liverpool.  We christened it Knowles Law as Andy suggested that if we ever saw someone famous on our travels….which we often did, if two of you agree it looks like the person you think, then it probably is!

Cow Hill & Mast from Corpach (click for bigger pic)

After reaching a personal best for a height of 660ft for the Ben Path Walk on Saturday, a new personal best of 834ft had been reached today…but at some physical expense….and it’s only been just over three months since my knee op!

Cow Hill?  It’s a Pig!

We had a quiet day on Easter Sunday….didn’t get up too early and we had booked into the local equivalent of the Rhubarb Triangle for Easter Lunch. We christened it the Thistle Triangle! So we were eager to find out just what its real name was.  We had a lovely Easter lunch and the restaurant wasn’t too busy. The food was nice and we passed the time waiting for our food by seeing if we could name the menu items, as it’s the same as the Triangle at home.  Quite scarily, it appears that the three of us have a very good knowledge of the menu items.

Anyway, back to the name. The name on the board outside looked like this…

Loch Iell….it just looks odd and we couldn’t decide on the correct pronunciation or the spelling as the I looked like a lower case L.

Then we looked on a bar receipt and the name on it was Loch Lall!…..so even more confusion.

After the main course, we got talking to the duty manager and raised the subject and told him our local was called the Rhubarb Triangle.

He then told us the sorry tale of the name of the restaurant.  Apparently, when the restaurant was first built and set up, the install team had to ring head office and give them all the contact details for the new outlet.  The correct and proper name for the restaurant should be Loch Eil…..named after the Loch that we look out over from the holiday park.

The first pub sign that was delivered to Scotland proudly said Lock Eil!! Not Loch.

This was sent back and another one requested, with the correct spelling.  Well, the next one arrived and it now correctly said Loch….but sadly, it also said Iall…Loch Iall!!  The person on the end of the phone, taking the order for the second sign, just spelt it as they heard it said….Iall instead of Eil!!

They gave up and the sign still remains today!

What a Coch up!!

Ben Path Walk

Height to the Seat 220m – 660ft

Words by Sarah Kimber

We have been very slowly upping the distance and time of our walks and after yesterdays walk, we had to return to Linnhe so that Jack and I could get ready for the 3pm service at church. We had already eaten lunch in the Braveheart car park after the walk.  While Jack and I were at church, Steven decided to go shopping in Fort William.  He spent some of his birthday money on some walking gear – 2 wicking tee-shirts, a fleece and a day rucksack.  He also got a waterproof coat that was light weight enough to pack into the new said rucksack (having left both his rucksack and light weight waterproof coat at home!)  Money well spent though as he now has a walking “system” that works really well.

Jack the Mountain Goat

So when we woke this morning to rain and grey clouds Steven was raring to go.  Jack and I were not so sure in the damp.  However, by the time it got to 1pm the clouds were clearing, so we packed our bags and set off.

The Obligatory Start Photo!

We parked at the Nevis Visitors centre, not without hiccough however, as the parking machine took 2 £1 coins, spat out the 3^rd and then only registered as us parking for an hour, instead of all day.  So, I went in to see the friendly staff in the Visitors Centre (Tom) and asked if there was anything he could do.  He said to drop the £1 the machine had spat out into the Mountain Rescue donation tub and he wrote on the parking ticket “Tom – OK” with a tick alongside ! I hoped that would be enough for us not to get a parking fine.   It had  now started raining, so we all donned our waterproof trousers and jackets (for the first time) and walked north down to the suspension bridge, the one we’ve crossed several times now.  We headed passed the Achintee Farm B&B, to the corner of the field, but this time we headed up the field.  I remembered this being rather steep last year and indeed it still is!  At the top we crossed over the stile with the Ben Nevis Inn on our left, and took the Ben Path straight ahead from the stile.  We headed slowly upwards.

“One foot in front of the other” echoed in my head, as Dad’s mantra kept repeating itself.  We paused several times to admire the view down to the Visitors centre and all buildings along the bottom of the Glen.  Slowly but surely heading upwards all the time as we ascended the Ben Path.

The path itself is reasonably well kept, with some loose stones, but on the whole is what can be expected of a conservation kept pathway.  Eventually, further up the path there is another stile – one I had forgotten about, which is quite high to get up, but less high on the other side.  The sun had come out and the rain had stopped, so it was getter warm.  The waterproofs came off and the walk was pleasant, although hard work.  The other occurrence I had forgotten about, but was reminded of with each step, was how my nose is affected as I ascend.  It just runs!  And keeps running.  I remember both Dad and I having sore noses for the wiping of them constantly.

Walking further along – but ascending all the time – there is a bridge and then you cross a stream with stepping stones.  The water is not at all deep, more of a running puddle really across the path.

There then comes an outcrop of trees that hides the Youth Hostel pathway that connects the Youth Hostel to the Ben Path by way of a VERY steep, flat stone walkway, that when wet is slippery.  The walk in the book we have been using would have us turn down that path at this point, but we had another goal.

Just beyond the junction of the paths was the prize we were heading for today, we had planned to do this walk even before we set off from home.  We were headed for the first stop that Dad and I took last year on the epic voyage to the very top of Britain. We were headed for the seat.  This is the only seat on the whole Ben Nevis walk (save for the natural seats provided by rocks and boulders) and this was where we rested.

Start of steep YHA Path

The plan had been to have our sandwiches, made this morning, when we got back to the car, however, we were so late setting off that we decided to pack them and eat them at the seat.  And this we did.  The view, even at this point, is fabulous and we enjoyed our picnic.  We spoke to people as the passed – both those coming back down from the summit, and those just on their way up!  There was a ranger and his border collie out collecting rubbish that some inconsiderate people had left behind, from earlier picnics.  We made sure to take all ours with us.

View Down to Glen Road

After a considerable rest we headed back down, Steven wanted to test his knee on a steep descent, so we headed down the VERY steep stone pathway at the outcrop of trees and headed for the Youth Hostel bridge.  I did not enjoy this part of the walk at all.  It started raining again and the waterproofs were out, the problem though was the stones for the path got slippery, making the descent even more problematic for me.  Oh how I wish I had had the forethought to borrow Dad’s walking poles.  I had mine with me, but gave them to Steven.  He preferred to use only one, and so Jack had a go with the other, but didn’t like it.  So I had one pole and Steven had the other.  One is better than none, but two are definitely better for me.

Steep Path to YHA

As we eventually reached the bottom, we chose to walk along the river bank (although the book suggests crossing the bridge and walking along the road – you will have caught my feelings about walking along the road if you have been reading these blogs before).  The riverbank path is by far a better option.

Near the Bottom

We eventually met the path at the corner of the Achintee Farm field, where we started, more or less, and crossed back over the suspension bridge.  Getting back to the car was a great feeling, but I had enjoyed this walk.

Relief at the Bottom

We headed back to the caravan, for showers, tea of homemade chicken and chorizo paella before getting back in the car to go to the Easter Vigil Mass that started at 9pm in St Mary’s in Fort William.

Riverside Pub Walk – Friday 22nd April

Walk 5

Words by Sarah Kimber

Walk 5

Parking in the Braveheart car park, to avoid paying any parking fee, we set off on this walk expecting not to enjoy it.  For the most part this walk is along roadway, back in the direction of the roundabout by the Woollen Mill.  Whilst the road is along the river, there is no path to walk along the river (so I wonder how this walk got its name!)  However, part way into our walk we were tempted by the sound of a waterfall – small by Wednesdays standards – and we found a bathing pool right by the waterfall.  I suspect the inhabitants of the Glen in Iron Age times used this to wash and cool off in.

We crossed a small stone bridge over the river and walked past a building site – the local housing association is building some interesting looking houses and flats for local residents.  I think they will look nice when complete as they are finished off with wooden frontages; it will resemble an upmarket alpine hotel when complete.  The road continues at the back of a housing estate, along the river, but again not on a path beside the river, until the Spa shop.  We turned just before the Spa onto a single track road which would take us past Fort William FC’s ground (same scale as Ossett Town), and then on up to the Ben Nevis Inn.

The Nevis Inn

A 1 mile walk up a “Postman Pat” lane, up and over dale, took us away from the houses, out into the glen.  We spotted a solitary tent trying to blend in with its surroundings, and children in their bathing costumes on banking in the middle of the river.  The sun was shinning and it was very warm.  A dip would have been lovely.

At the end of the “Postman Pat” lane there are several parking spaces, which are used by people taking the Ben Nevis path from this point.  We went into the Ben Nevis Inn – it’s a large stone building with a small bar just inside the door.  There is food served at canteen style tables inside, or if preferred, at tables outside.  There is also a bunkhouse at the Inn and the Achintee Farm (mentioned on an earlier day) is not far.

We ordered drinks and sat outside in the sun.  There was quite a wind blowing though and the seagulls could not make any head way through the wind, so gave up!

Its Windy Outside

After finishing our very welcome drink we set off on the Ben Nevis Path, but then took the stile and headed down the Achintee Farm field to the river below.  As we made our way along the river – genuinely along the riverside now – we were stopped by a lady on her own, with Gucci jeans on, smart stripy deck shoes, a red tee-shirt and little blue jacket hung over her arm.  She enquired where the Ben Nevis Path was, in a foreign accent, and was there a lift!  I figured she must have been confused with the cable car up to Annoch Mor – next mountain along – but trying to explain this was difficult as I think she was French with not too much English knowledge.  She asked if we had been up (gesturing to Ben Nevis) today, I explained I had been up last year, she asked how long it would take, she asked about 2 hours?  I told her it took me 11 hours there and back.  She looked aghast.  I explained she would need proper boots to get up to the top, and whilst she might walk some way she wouldn’t make it to the top…..  we watched her walk away.  We saw her walk up the farmers field, over the stile and make her way up the Ben Nevis Path.  I wonder just how far she went before turning back.  One thing is for sure, to get to the top you have to be prepared, and have the right clothing, rations of water and food and the right equipment with you.  And she had none of these.

Over the Stile to Achintee Farm

We carried on, over the suspension bridge into the Visitors Centre car park – stopped in to use “the facilities” and then headed back down the road back to the car at the Braveheart car park.  Do you know why it is so called?  It is because it was created for the crew of the film Braveheart whilst filming in Glen Nevis.  It’s a great little spot just off the West Highland Way.  We got back to the car to our sandwiches which we ate sat out in the sun.  Again, very welcome.

View Back Up The Achintee Path - Nevis Inn on the Left

Local Weather Forecasting!!!!!!

When we came last year, we had the benefit of on site wifi access…..but this year the owners have lost the facility due to wranglings with the service provider.  The lady at reception advised they were hoping to have access across the site, to all units, but for now there was none.

So where do you go to get access to upload your blog?  I have found 2 wifi hotspots in Fort William. The first one is on the High Street and the second is in McDonalds on the retail park.  The service in McDonalds is provided by the country wide provider called “The Cloud”   All you need to do is buy a coffee (4 in my case) boot up the laptop, open a browser window and fill in the registration details for The Cloud.  Once done, you’re surfing the Scottish information super highway…and it’s nice and fast.  So I thought I would fill you in with some of the things I was unable to upload before I found the wifi.

The view from the caravan is just as good as last year and the beauty of the view is that it keeps changing.  Here are a few pics to show you the difference over a few days.

Late Evening

Evening Sunset

High Tide

Tide Out Early

Dusk

No light trickery used or any blue filtering…..the blue is just gobsmacking!!

14 Miles!!!!

Another quite amusing thing we can see is the cottage just across the other side of the Loch….it’s probably about half a mile away as the crow flies.

But to drive to it…..its 14 miles!!!