Wierd Rock Formations

Just off from the Cairn Gorm summit was this lovely bit of rock.

Loch Avon

Our last day in the Cairngorms and the cloud had finally lifted from Cairn Gorm summit to reveal Loch Avon below.

Windswept Cairn Gorm Summit

Despite all the snow, the wind was so bad it had been blown from the summit to reveal very icy rock. We met some tourists from the train further down, the lady was trying to get up here with high heals! We said that she would have to dig her heels in! Needles to say they didn't get far thank goodness, they were nice though :-)

Nikki Stays Upright

Wey hey, I found something I'm better than Will at, although I did have the advantage of not having a dog on my back. This is the Queen's Forest.

Cross Country Skiing

As walking was getting too exhausting in the waist deep snow on the hills, we decided to try something equally exhausting. We were intrigued to watch people cross country skiing on the snow covered, sandy loch shore so we thought we'd have a go.

We couldn't leave Daisy out of the fun so Will took her along in a rucksack. I don't think it did Will any good though, he must have fallen over fifty times. It was funny until he fell on the side of the ski blade! Daisy didn't mind though with all the Pine Marten tracks to sniff.

Daisy's Cold Again

Daisy loved getting in the rucksack when we stopped for breaks. As long as she leaves my crunchie bar alone in the side pouch!

She got cold tootsies too when Will was making snow angels.

Glenmore Forest

How about this for a Christmas card scene. We've never seen so much snow and what better place to see it than at Glenmore Forest Park in the Cairngorms!

Shepherd's Hill

Enjoying the views of Loch Morlich where our lovely warm motor home is camped after climbing Meau A'bhuachaille (otherwise known as Shepherd's Hill).

Lochan Dubh a Chadha

A choppy Lochan Dubh a Chadha, after we got caught in a windy snow storm. You can see Cairn Gorm and the ski resort behind.

There is a wild herd of reindeer in the area too which gave us a suprise - the stags antlers were absolutely enormous! We didn't want to make them feel threatened, especially with Daisy, so we'll have to get a photo of them next time.

First ascent of Cairn Gorm

A very chilly and windy Cairn Gorm summit. I think we need to get Daisy some goggles, it was the worst wind we had ever been in on the way down, worse than the forecast! A reminder to be prepared and all that...

Loch Laidon

A serene Loch Laidon near Rannoch train station in the Scottish Highlands. Too cold for midges thank goodness but we did see a white mountain hare the next day at Glen Tilt, he was bigger (and faster) than Daisy.

Daisy Gets Cold

Despite Daisy's fluffy new coat, she had to go in Will's rucksack for a warm up as we stopped a while making sure we navigated safely off the summit. We didn't want to stab her with our crampons either. I think we need to get her some doggie boots!

Nikki's First Winter Ascent of The Ben

You can just see the old observatory behind me under a good few feet of snow. It was a wierd sensation being totally surrounded by white and horizontal shards of ice.

My leaving cheque from my friends at Hampshire County Council bought me these lovely, but heavy winter boots and crampons that got me safely up and down. :-)

Will on Ben Nevis

After Will attended a hairy two day mountaineering course, (which involved climbing Gully Number 4 on The Ben) he taught me the steps on Aonach Moor. We didn't make the top as we decided to climb up through the rough pathless heather from the bottom of the ski lift so we ran out of time. We'll have to take the ski lift next time!

Anyway, we made the summit of Ben Nevis, but as usual, no view at the top!

Daisy looks a tad chilly too.

Hadrian the Snowman

After getting snowed in at Hadrian's Wall we found a way to amuse ourselves with snow fights and attempting snow angels. Our favourite was building a Budha style snowman complete with masculine essentials!

The Campsite at Haltwhistle was great despite the frozen taps. The farmer and his wife made sure we had plenty of water and fresh eggs though :-).

Pike O'Blisco

A rare clear day while camped at Great Langdale. First ascent of Pike O'Blisco, not a cloud in the sky!

Apparantly the cairn here was ancient, knocked down but respectfully rebuilt. Don't worry, we didn't carry out the out dated tradition of adding any rocks.

Group Shelter

On a windy walk from Great Langdale above Blea Tarn, next to Lingmoor Tarn. Thankfully we were snug as a bug in our new group shelter at lunch time, with an essential flask of tea.

I had a giggling fit on the blustery way down for some reason, this was before I realised how serious and relentless the wind would be this year.

Christmas 2006

Our new camper van overlooking Scafell Pike at our favourite place, Wasdale Head.