Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorich

Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorich

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Friday 29 May - Return

On Thursday Nicola Sturgeon duly confirmed the promised slight easing of the lockdown and hillwalking could resume, with the proviso that you stayed local. No problem for us except to decide which hills to climb.

There were lots of cars parked at Castlehill Reservoir but we hadn't planned to stop there or the Woodland Trust carpark in Glen Devon which in any case was closed. Thwarted, people had parked their cars in small lay-bys and many others were half on verges and half on the road with the typical disregard for others which seems so common these days. They were mostly picnickers down by the river.

At the head of Glen Eagles though, we we were in glorious isolation back among the hills after ten long weeks of exile. Cuckoos welcomed us and have been constant companions on this and our three other days in the Ochils.

Fishing had resumed on Lower Glendevon Reservoir as per lockdown easing although we were surprised to find the boats out rather than anglers on the banks. It was good to see the country make tentative steps back to some sort of normality



From our chosen top we could see patches of snow lingering on Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers and other hills further north, all beyond our reach for the moment as was a good photograph given the heat haze.

It was a grand day out over the hills in a very welcome cool south easterly breeze watching the larks soaring, a sight we've missed so much this year. As a bonus Lynne spotted a nest among the tussocks with the young staring skywards, beaks gaped.


Anyone for Tossing the Caber?



All construction has been halted during lockdown except, of course, if it involves a bit more destruction of the Ochils. Four new bigger turbines to be installed.

West Craigs, which we traversed on our way back
It was simply bliss to be back among the hills but crowds of idiots descended on the Loch Lomond area and Glen Coe at the weekend, flouting the guidance on travel, so Nicola is threatening to change this guidance to law. Not sure how that will go down with those of us who've done our best to comply.  

8 comments:

Sir Hugh said...

I get the impression that a large section of the population of Gt. Britain has become more and more ,stupid, inconsiderate, selfish and hopelessly gullible and politically uninformed over a long period, but more emphasised since the Brexit referendum, and getting worse. That doesn't include the people who have conformed and also those who have gone above and beyond to help and care.

Glad to see you out and about again.

afootinthehills said...

Sir Hugh - I have to agree with your assessment. As regards the'hopelessly gullible and politically uninformed', I suspect many people want or need easy answers to complex issues and don't really want to be troubled too much with evidence or information from reliable sources. Why bother when you can get your view of things reinforced on a forum full of like-minded individuals?

Of course. I have no data to justify the above opinion but I am at least open to it being refuted and therefore change my mind!









Phreerunner said...

Great to see you able to get out again. We are holding off for the moment, but I have a short walk planned for Cheshire lanes with a good friend on Monday. My last walk was with the same friend, and another one, on 18 March, when we were very careful to 'socially distance', and did not take advantage of the cafe and toilet facilities, which were open at that time.

Alan Sloman said...

It makes you feel good to be alive again.
Thank you, Gibson.

afootinthehills said...

Thanks Martin. Social distancing is measured in km on these hills! Is there no way you can venture further afield without antagonising the locals? Enjoy your walk on Monday.

afootinthehills said...

Thanks for dropping by Alan. Familiar as these hills are to us, everywhere felt fresh and new. Our regular daily walk of around six miles during strict lockdown seems to have kept us quite fit which is a relief.

I assume you are still isolating?

Phreerunner said...

Thanks Gibson. I'm nervous about going out apart from on the local wide roads - deserted this morning. An hour a day on the bike hopefully keeps a level of fitness.
Wallowing in past adventures is keeping me going, and digitising and sharing old family photos (I would never have found time but for Lockdown) is proving entertaining for all concerned, so in truth I am managing fine without venturing far. Sue's feet are a bit more itchy.

Alan Sloman said...

I am. Eleven weeks so far, and from what I gather this may well continue for quite some while.
At least I'm now allowed out, which is a bonus.
I might just see where the next riot is going to be held and take with me Water Canon or two to freshen up the virtue signalling scumbags...