GOING LOOPY IN ULLAPOOL

As is usual in April we had a couple of days away. This time we went to Ullapool on the west coast - all organised by Hugh and Pam and a super time was had by all.

As is usual in April when we do go away, there is always a game of golf involved for the more intrepid among us, and me! Here are Neil, Jim and Robin coming off the course after 18 holes. Mac is at the back already taking the chance to work out some arcane statistics!

By that time, I was sitting on the deck at the clubhouse with a pint in my hand - I think that was where I lost my scorecard......

And this is where we were staying - it sounds very grand, but it wasn't a stately home. However, it was exactly what we needed - lots of room, big kitchens, heaps of fridges for the drink - what more could you possibly need.

This was the view from the front garden back towards Ullapool.

We had all brought some food and a lot more drink and we did have a bit of fun in the lodge which had a great dining area for all of us - really good space.

Dave won the golf and here he is showing off his medal, whilst Jim can only ponder on what might have been.

We were, as always, joined by Saint David - who only did the short walks - mainly because you can't read the papers and drink coffee whilst walking over rough ground. As you can see there was a bit of danger that his halo might slip.


After a fabulous feast of food from all of our respective houses and a relatively quiet night, involving only a bit of singing and dancing, it was up and about on a fairly fresh morning to get ready for the first walk of the weekend. Susan obviously found it fresher than most. She looks a bit like Nanook of the North taking precautions against snow blindness.




This is us in the car park in Ullapool about to head for the hills.

And it really was the hills - the sign was a bit of a giveaway.

Still - once we made a bit of hieght, without too much difficulty, we got a great view of the
Stornoway ferry leaving port - how prophetic that was to be!

Then it was onwards and upwards - not at all like our usual walks on the flat!

Robin against the skyline - atmospheric eh?
Almost like a proper mountaineer

almost.

Soon we really were like mountaineers - heading for a real hill - not a Munro but a Dinomunro. You can see the track heading up to the dizzy heights that some of us would scale without any thought to personal safety or comfort.

Well actually there was a bit of comfort because there was a bench very near to the summit, however, you could not sit on it for fear of being blown away in the brisk breeze.

The views were well worth the effort made by some of us. I say some, because there were some others who did not exhibit the fearlessness, will to win and foolishness to climb to the top of this most imposing of hills. This is the view of

Ullapool, which most of you will know is a planned town, Laid out for the Fisheries Board in the 18th Century....I could go on, but most of you will have fallen asleep by now.

And indeed, here are those people who did not take up the challenge - all for a variety of reasons, some of which were entirely justifiable. See how small they look from the lofty heights that the rest of us achieved.

The trip to the top was clearly hair-raising.

But it is at moments like this that the more sensitive among us take time to reflect on the enormity of the universe and when or even if, we might get to the pub.

Others, more prosaically, just wear silly hats.

Sue and Charlie on the way down - they did make it to the top - honest. Unfortunately the photo I took at the top was out of focus, a bit like myself, some would say.

We finally did get down into the sheltered valley where the others were waiting patiently to welcome us as heroes.

Then it was on to the interior where we had to pass an obstacle that represented Pam's favourite aspect of walking in the countryside - livestock!

We must have taken a very wide berth, because we didn't see any cows or calves at all.

Soon we were wending our way down to the loch where there was some hope of lunch.

All of a sudden we spied what could only be the lost 9th Legion of the Roman Empire - or should that be IX? Ah, the benefits of a classical education.

It wouldn't be a Dinosaur walk if there wasn't a bridge involved.

And this is what it spanned.

After crossing the bridge we began to look for somewhere for lunch - well Dave did. He found a very nice little spot at the sheep fank. As we were all needing something to eat by this stage you could call it the sheeep fank redemption.

This is not what you think, but it was Robin setting up his camera to take the lunch photo on top of a fish box kindly set up for him by Jim. Robin, however, has not sent me the photo, so I cannot tell if he got the camera horizontal on the box.

After lunch we carried on back round to the river where we found another bridge - well actually we didn't - the dangerous bridge certainly lived up to its name. There were no volunteers to pose in the middle for a photo this time.

Even the sign was less than perfectly formed.

Sharon blowing kisses to me when she thought no-one was looking as we stopped for a rest near Morefield quarry - ever the romantic.

That was soon the end of the walk. We went out for a fine dinner at the Arch Inn in Ullapool. We had a fine time there and they looked after us very well. Then it was back to the Lodge for a nightcap.

Ullapool by night with a shaky hand. Not a lot of lights!

The same view early the next morning - no hangover for me.

And because it was the next day it was time for us to make our way home. Some of us travelled lighter than others.

Time for a couple of photos before we left.
One with the Lodge... If only I had been a bit smarter I could have got the stag's antlers sticking out of someone's head.

...and one with the view out to the west.

On the way home we stopped at Inverlael Forest Garden for a leisurely stroll through the woods.

And guess what - there was another bridge.

Winding through the trees - a bit like the Last of the Mohicans, although it looks like Charllie had already been scalped.

A very nice waterfall in a little grotto. Just the sort of place where you might find all sorts of mythical creatures.

Such as witches.

Or little leprechauns.

Could that be a goblin or is he a gnome?

There were also one or two little devils lifting up plants for their nest.

Or maybe it was just to prove that their car really is green.

Girls embraced by a grey tree - we never saw them again! Sharon tells me this was taken when we were playing golf, but it is a pain in the neck to move it so it appears here completely out of context - but surprises are good.

We had little chocolate eggs in the sun - we know how to live on the edge.

Another group photo with a very big tree.

Back into the cars and you would think that would be enough excitement for one day - but no - we stopped at the Glascarnoch dam and went for a little walk across the dam and onto the shore on the other side. These are the Reservoir Dogs.

These are the Reservoir Bi..sorry Beauties.

More enigmatic posing in the sun.

Actually we were just passing a litle time until we could go to the pub - which we could see from the dam - the Aultguish Inn. Hugh and Pam had arranged soup and sandwiches and these were really good - a great place to stop and we will be back.

After our fine lunch it was home for all of us after another outstanding weekend with great food, company and fun. Well done to Hugh and Pam for all their organisation. Oh, what about the prophetic ferry - well we have decided that we will go to Harris next April courtesy of Sue and Charlie. Something to look forward to.