Charles Dickens. That is probably the most useful thing I'll take away from last weeks trip into the north and west. We walked from Poolewe to Carnmore in rain then walked from Carnmore to Poolewe in more rain. It's about a 5 hour walk so quite depressing really.
Uncharacteristically, the complaining will get cut short there and here are the good bits. One, Charles Dickens is a good writer isn't he? In the Carnmore barn I found a copy of his "Hard Times". As the roof has some clear-ish panels to let light in, and as they and the other corrugated roofing materials were put-put-putting to the rain, I read a couple of chapters. Very good, I must pay a visit to Waterstones.
Two, and interestingly to readers of this blog perhaps, is the existence of a boulder jumble half way to the bothy, so about 2 hours from Poolewe. Mythology and bouldering in Scotland go hand in hand. Everyone's heard of the boulders at the Shelterstone, maybe even slept under them, seen pictures of the masses of boulders under Ben Allign, have a mate who's been to Coire Lagan, or the Lost Valley, is waiting for Dave Macloed to reveal the location of a new world class venue, got some wee venue of their own, is planning a trip to Torridon, and such. Well, here's my attempt to add "the Boulders on the path into Carnmore" to the list. On account of the pouring rain, I didn't climb or spent much time looking around. Lot's of roofs dry though (with holds), there was a Dumby esque feel to it, but it's in the middle of nowhere. Couple of good Howffs with sheep poo on the floor. Overhangs, caves, some things look more like sport routes. Worth a visit really. If it was in the peak...
Three, singing Randolph's Leap songs can cheer you up.
