You will remember that this weekend I was supposed to be climbing Scotland's second highest mountain, Ben Macdui.
Oh but the humans had so many excuses...
Hail and sleet predicted above 900m. Only 30% chance of cloud free summits. The other two members of the party exhausted after a twenty plus mile hike across boggy wilderness the day before Gail and I arrived. Sore and arthritic toes. Wobbly knees. The list goes on.
So Ben Macdui lay hidden in the mists while I was taken on damp low level rambles through the ancient Scots pines of the Rothiemurchus Forest and to Loch an Eilein.
Which was all quite pleasant, I suppose, if lacking the thrill of a proper mountain expedition.
Before we left, Gail insisted on this photo in Aviemore, sort of as consolation for my wee Scottie pal Dui, since we did not get to photograph his actual mountain.
No, it's not good enough, is it?
Rest assured, I'll be back!
PS from Gail: As not uncommonly happens in Scotland, the clouds did finally clear from the hills just as it was time to head home. On this picture, taken from the car, Ben Macdui is the distant peak towards the left.
