Hebog loop

Peaks: Moel Hebog

Area: Moel Hebog, Eryri

After turning 54 yesterday, I decided to test myself on a time-trial up a climb I know very well. The route up Hebog from Beddgelert is, let's say, rather punishing. I did the race a few times in my late 30s and early 40s, and once more recently, and broke the hour up-and-down quite comfortably more than once. I don't think I could do that nowadays, but I was still pleased with this little session. From the old Gelert shop I took the road over the railway line to the cycle path and then the relentlessly steep main climb - which rarely lets up at all and often gets rocky and awkward. This is particularly the case towards the top, where there are multiple lines of varying efficiency. I got a pretty decent one through the scree and emerged at a very windy ridge with the mist down, stumbling across a young couple arguing about whether or not they should continue: they seemed surprised to see me emerge from the other side of the ridge in shorts. From the summit (43 minutes from Beddgelert, 31.50 for the steep part), I plummeted down the northern slopes, getting out of the wind quickly, then took the rocky and awkward descent towards the conifer plantations. This leads to a horrible path, which is actually marked out as if sensible people might want to do it. It takes a direct line through the conifers, appallingly boggy and awkward throughout, to eventually gain fire tracks back to the railway. My sole detached itself from my right shoe at the top of the track, meaning I had to hobble in without it, essentially padding along on a sock, which is rather painful on gravel. The shoes were ceremonially binned in Caernarfon.

Across the Cynllaith

Event: Across the Cynllaith (16m/3000ft)

Time: 2.40

Could there be a more perfect fallow year event than a long run/walk through a beautiful border landscape, taking obscure paths up the three main hills in the area? Probably not, so this was a delightful and hugely enjoyable non-competitive outing, part of the Trefonen hill weekend (I did the Mynydd Myfyr fell race a few years ago, which also forms part of it). It was a nice morning after a lot of rain last week, and I set off from Trefonen around 9am, jogging the paths and lanes through to a curving path up Mynydd Myfyr. A lovely descent led to a very muddy section which eventually led to the border and the path along the Cynllaith itself (the name of the river but also, I think, of the medieval bro). Then into Llansilin to check-in and enjoy coffee and biscuits before the crux of the day, a lengthy 5k haul to the top of Gyrn Moelfre via a steep lane and then a superb curving track to the broad grassy ridge over the summit. This is a tremendous place right in the centre of this beautiful region, and I'd only visited once before on the Gyrn Gallop race (which heads up direct from Rhiwlas, on the other side of the hill, and as a result I barely recognised it at all). From the summit, a long looping path led down to tarmac and eventually back to Llansilin for another check and drink. The final leg saw me catching lots of groups on the shorter 10 mile loop. It climbed surprisingly steeply away from the Cynllaith to the broad summit of a hill, which was contoured until a slightly confusing section up to the last hill of Moelydd, the last of the three. The previously excellent marking was a little confusing here, so I ploughed steeply up a nettle-strewn hillside where I surmised I would find the top, which I did. From here, Offa's Dyke led back to Trefonen along little lanes and tracks. Bara brith, tea and walnut cake to recuperate, and home before midday: a lovely event.

Carn a'Chlamain

Peaks: Carn a'Chlamain (963)

Area: Blair Atholl, Scotland

The hills in these parts are not the most exciting, with the exception of Beinn a'Ghlo, but this was a really unexpected bonus on the last day of the trip. It was only intended as something short to do on my way home, but actually Glen Tilt was something of a revelation. I looked down on it in 2020, notable as my first proper post-lockdown outing, from Beinn a'Ghlo, but I had never actually been up it before. In places, it is really beautiful, and an easy track makes cycling through it a delight. I was a little tired, I wanted to use the bike, and I needed a short outing - so Carn a'Chlamain worked perfectly. After a huge breakfast in Kingussie I tried to waste as much time as possible given the rather inconvenient weather pattern which was seeing later and later clearances. Sure enough, it was still dull and even drizzly when I set off from the Old Bridge of Tilt above Blair at 11am. A lovely 10k ride up the glen, very gentle even on the gravel bike (which was necessary), past Marble Lodge to a little shieling and the start of the broad south-east ridge up Chlamain. Still a lot of low cloud around, but I started anyway and with no need to save energy anymore decided to up the pace a bit. The mountain itself is basically the highpoint of a vast undulating plateau although the summit cone is quite attractive. Initially a steep path led to a gentler track, which kinks up the hillside and then becomes very runnable up to an indistinct section near a forepeak and a rocky section. I met a lady who had lost her phone here, and scanned the last section looking for it. I got to the summit in less than an hour from the bike, and the lady then emerged having found the phone. It finally started to clear a little, revealing the plateau and the Cairngorms beyond. Good views of Beinn a'Ghlo directly in front as it cleared completely while I descended. i took a running approach to the descent though - 25 minutes from summit to bike, nice to up the pace for a change (1.24 for the 10k/750m outing). After a snack and drink, the gravel bike return down Glen Tilt was even more delightful and I stopped frequently for photos - some really beautiful sections of native woodland and hidden pools. I had a bath in the Tilt before heading for home.

Allt Taige horseshoe

Peaks: Carn nan Gobhar (993), Sgurr na Lapaich (1150), Sgurr nan Clachan Geala (1093)

Area: Loch Mullardoch, Scotland

These hills between Strathfarrar and Mullardoch are quite remote, even if you can get fairly close to them by road. That road leads up from Cannich through its beautiful glen until it reaches the dam at the end of Loch Mullardoch. Here I spent the night, which was very windy at first, watching hares, mistle thrushes and wheatears. The morning was cloudy again, so I took my time before heading out along the north of the loch. I missed the path up the forepeak of Mullach na Moile, instead heading up the bleak valley of Allt Mullardoch before striking west up a very steep hillside. This was direct at least, and I found a little scrambling before reaching the Mullach. Prospects were a little bleak ahead, a thick cloudbase draped quite low around the peaks, including Carn nan Gobhar, to which I was heading. This was a rocky slog, reminiscent of the Carneddau, which led to a double top. The mist was pretty dense, so I hung around for a while. I was in no rush, and I began to get hints of a clearance which I felt would make the day far more pleasant and interesting. Eventually I got bored so took a bearing north-west towards the obvious bealach below Lapaich. At this point the mist began to clear and as I approached the bealach I could see the wonderful lonely loch of Tuill Bearnaich and the snowy Coire nan Each above. This was one of those places that exerts a peculiar pull - I experience a similar phenomenon above the Oxnadalur valley in Iceland. Hard to leave, a wonderful ambience, with golden plover adding their distinctive notes to it, along with a distant ring ouzel. To the north, even remoter valleys drained into Strathfarrar. Above the bealach, the east ridge of Sgurr na Lapaich heads upwards through little crags: with a wonderful cwm left and the loch below, mist swirling around but much less dense now. At the top, a little scrambling as the ridge narrows to a small summit. This was tremendous, a great peak, and I got intermittent views of the valleys all around as the mist drifted in and out. Then came a delightful romp along the lip of the cwm heading south to Sgurr nan Clachan Geala, a distinctive top. Again, this felt so special I sat there for some time just drinking it in. Eventually I dropped down directly to the base of the valley containing the Allt Taige, which my route had formed a horseshoe around. Slightly boggy down this, with lots of little deer paths but nothing very established. I ended up heading all the way down to the lochside, and the sun finally came out in earnest at this point, illuminating the entire valley. It soon became very hot and rather tiring along the path and back across the Allt Taige, which apparently has a fearsome reputation when in spate. Then a drive to Inverness via the Beauly road in glorious sunshine, and down the A9 to Feshiebridge.

Gleann nam Fiadh horseshoe

Peaks: Tom a'Choinich (1112), An Leth-chreag (1051), Stob Coire Dhomhnuill, Carn Eige (1183), Mam Sodhail (1181), Creag Coire nan Each (1055), Craig a'Chaorainn, Sgurr na Lapaich (1036)

Area: Glen Affric, Scotland

I'm calling this the Gleann nam Fiadh horseshoe, as that seems the obvious descriptor, and it seemed to me a very obvious route from the map (and in execution) although it doesn't seem to be much of a 'thing'. Whatever, I have wanted to visit Glen Affric for years, and it didn't disappoint when I arrived in stunning afternoon sunshine yesterday. It is remote and exquisite, a wonderful combination, bang in the centre of northern Scotland and a fairly long drive, even from the Great Glen let alone anywhere else. A pleasant night in the van besides Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin, certainly one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland: but it was a misty start, and quite midgy, as I had my coffee and porridge waiting for it to clear. As I took the initial track up beside the river towards Toll Creagach it began to clear and by the time the track diminishes to a boggy and vague stalkers path the day was crystal clear and the scenery stunning, the perfect May day in the Highlands with a rushing stream and superb array of peaks ahead. A steep climb gains the rocky south-east ridge which leads via some little slabby steps, all very pleasant, to a whaleback plateau. Not a well defined summit, although the views now open out. I was in two minds initially, whether to have an easy day taking in the lump of Toll a'Creagach to the east or whether to go for the big peaks further west. From the summit, the choice was obvious as the view west towards Carn Eige and Mam Sodhail was up there with the very best - an obviously perfect ridge looping around the Fiadh. Just one tiny problem - although I was above a cloud bank to the north, quite spectacular, mist was also gathering around the higher summits and the crystal blue clarity had gone. This didn't seem much of a problem as the escape route into the glen was obvious, so I started west along the broad ridge - absolutely superb over a range of subsidiary peaks. First down to the pronounced Garth Bhealach, cloud lapping up from the northern corries, then up the very steep climb to the pyramidal (from this angle) An Leth-Chreag. The mist was down, but it was only light and as I traversed Dhomnuill it lifted again to allow me to really enjoy the mild pinnacles and very mild scrambling at the head of the valley. It became clear that the route to Carn Eige was a lot easier than I had expected, with less height loss and gain. Instead, an easy traverse on springy grass even had me running across before a sharp climb to the top of Carn Eige, the highest mountain north of the Great Glen and a long way from my van! The easy theme continued across to its sister peak Mam Sodhail, which is far more shapely. In fact it looked superb from the col, given scale by its dramatic north-east face above lonely Loch Uaine: a fabulous location. An 11 minute slog gained the summit of Mam Sodhail with mist draping the upper slopes. Stunning views down to Gleann a'Choilich to the west. Then came the next bonus of the day - a contrasting 5km ridge that led all the way down the other arm of the horseshoe to distant Sgurr na Lapaich. This was just wonderful, and the weather started clearing again - blue skies above, mist burning away. Two smaller tops led to a final climb up Sgurr na Lapaich: all runnable, mostly on springy turf, although I was conscious of saving energy so just 'moved quickly' instead. Huge views west towards Sgurr nan Ceathramanh and others. Lapaich is quite impressive from the east, in fact it is the most notable peak in the view from my lakeside camp. The descent kinks south down the ridge and was just as enjoyable as the route from Sodhail until it reached the boggy base, after which a long wet trot finally got me to a stream and my first drink of the day! Spent a while rehydrating, then ate, replenishing me for the last section down a track to Affric lodge and then a hot haul in very warm sunshine along empty tarmac back to the van. A bath in the loch, then down to Cannich after a fairly big day - well over 26k, 1620m.

Loch Quoich ridge

Peaks: Gleouraich (1035), Spidean Mialaich (996)

Area: Loch Quoich, Scotland

I have a vivid memory of looking across to these peaks from the South Glen Shiel ridge 12 years ago, with a stunning cloud inversion filling the valley between. It was an equally stunning morning today, to drive from Tyndrum through Glencoe to Fort William: deep blue skies and crystal clarity. However, after breakfast in the Fort, just north I ran into a huge bank of cloud, initially making me regret not sticking to my original plan of the hills around Loch Arkaig. My thinking was that I wanted an easier day so as not to wipe myself out before getting further north. This was why I headed down the 25 mile single track road from Invergarry to Kinloch Hourn, a road I had often driven past but never taken. It starts off as a rather dull rural drive but as it gets further west towards Loch Quoich the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic and increasingly archetypal 'west', and at this point the thick cloud began to clear. By the time I finally set off, the sky was deep blue. I had difficulty locating the correct stalkers path and wrongly followed a track initially before righting myself and finding the superb path, which winds up the hillside soon giving superb views out over the loch towards the edge of Knoydart, the spire of Sgurr na Ciche instantly recognisable. This view dominated the day, although closely followed by the wall of the South Glen Shiel ridge. The path eventually leads to the broad ridge of Drum Seiliach with a mild sense of exposure poised above empty valleys, that containing the River Loyne was particularly notable, deep and empty. Then a steep final climb to a forepeak and then the main summit of Gleouraich. One early walker was there but he soon left and as usual I had a Scottish peak to myself: truly wonderful expansive views in all directions. The rest of the ridge to Mialaich was hugely enjoyable, scampering over the rocks to a steep descent to a marked col, wild cwms to the north, dropping steeply to the glen. Then a surprisingly lengthy haul to the top of Spidean Mialaich, not quite as special because the ground then levels out to the east (although Ben Tee remained notable with its pointed profile). I jogged the descent, very easy on springy turf down to a boggy section west of Loch Fearna before heading direct to the stream for a drink as I was badly dehydrated. From here, a track makes downward progress even easier - 2.45 for the circuit. I felt rather tired, strangely, and was in a dilemma as to what to do with the rest of the day, not wanting to batter myself too much. So after eating I lay down in the van with the doors open, gazing upwards to the slopes of Gleouraich from a superb parking spot above the lake when I spied an eagle. My binoculars were right next to me, so I could see the distinctive white tail that made it only my second ever white-tailed sea eagle. And then another came into view, wheeling around then heading west towards the finest scenery. I had originally planned to spend the night here, and it was a stunning spot, but in tbe end I cycled up to the pass above Kinloch Hourn seeing nothing at all on the 50 minute ride, no cars or people. After a bath in the loch, I spent some time just drinking in this fantastic location before opting to make the long drive to Glen Affric via chips in Fort Augustus.

Ben Challum

Peaks: Ben Challum (1025)

Area: Tyndrum, Scotland

I have gradually ticked off most of the notable mountains in the Southern Highlands by now, almost always 'en route' to more favoured areas further north-west. My last trip was less than a fortnight ago, and it was then that I noticed Ben Challum for the first time really - a bit of a lump when seen from the west but an obvious objective to kick off this latest test for the 'new' van. The usual routine - 6am start from home, breakfast in Lancaster, lunch at Firkin Point, then setting off from Kirkton in rapidly improving early afternoon weather (it had been cloudy with drizzle all the way up). The usual bafflement as I passed multiple groups of young foreigners walking the West Highland Way (I always want to tell them to do Offa's Dyke instead, rather than just follow a road for several days). The route up Challum breaks off from the WHW earlier than I had realised, at the old cemetery, but I overshot leading to an annoying slog, wasted energy, to get to the level crossing and start the real slog up the boggy western slopes of the hill. This is admittedly a bit of a dull slog, but it soon reaches a broad plateau and then things improve as Ben Challum coalesces into a nice looking peak. To the south, great views over the southern triptych of Ben More, Stob Binnian and Cruach Ardrain. It gets drier underfoot too, and a steeper final climb leads to the south summit, and then a delightful ridge connecting to the main summit. Here, my 5.10 approach shoes fell apart after years of service, the sole detached almost completely. I fashioned a temporary fix on the summit and then enjoyed the views and the prospect of a longer trip further north to come. The peak drops away impressively north and west, especially down to deep Gleann a'Chlachain and the Allt Challum north to broad Glen Lochay. Views were good but a little hazy, again it became much clearer as I descended, the sky turning to deep blue. The shoes held out with laces tied around the bottom, but I chucked them before my fish chowder, chips and soda bread in the Real Food Cafe and another peaceful van night in Dalrigh.

Cressbrook Crawl

Race: Cressbrook Crawl fell race (10.5k/400m)

Time/Position: 53.30 (7th from 67 [1st V50])

The ethos of the fallow year does not encompass complete avoidance of racing, but they have to fulfil certain criteria - namely, something I haven't done before, so I have no previous times to compare it too. Ideally, somewhere beautiful and not too hard as well. So I found myself heading over to the Peak on a glorious May day, to the tucked away hamlet of Cressbrook overlooking several of the Dales. The whole event was delightful, and it hasn't been staged since 2019, some explanation for a fairly small field (there were lots of other races on this weekend too). A road climb led to a wonderful looping descent down old tracks into Miller's Dale. Over a little bridge then a long climb up into the hills on the other side of the dale. Really delightful where it levels off through High Dale, most or all of this new terrain for me then a kink south to join the beautiful River Wye along its tranquil banks. Finally it was up onto the Monsal Trail, where I found myself weakening when I should have really made up ground. A proper river crossing over the Wye (similar to Wincle Trout) and then a horribly inevitable climb back up the lanes and little paths to Cressbrook. I was in 6th place at the start of this but was passed as we approached the village, although I did win my age category which was nice, as was the sumptuous array of incredible homemade post-race cakes. I have always preferred the prettiness of the White Peak/Derbyshire Dales, but I crossed over to the dark side for some bouldering at Windgather to cool down.

Bochlwyd horseshoe

Peaks: Tryfan, Glyder Fach

Area: Glyderau, Eryri

An old favourite, and perhaps the best way to maximise contact with Welsh granite whilst minimising the time required to do so. I first did this route in 1988, so know it pretty well! The weather was supposed to clear this morning, but never really did so, although I did get some spectacular views at times. I felt a little tired on the North Ridge, which took me exactly an hour (I have done it in 45 minutes in the past). I took it fairly direct, finding lots of little variant grooves and the like - in fact it was the first time I have been up the North Ridge since my Tryfan book was published. I had it completely to myself, as I did the summit, which is always a treat. A quickish descent in 13 minutes taking good lines down to Bwlch Tryfan, and then I felt much less tired for Bristly, approaching from the left and taking fairly direct lines to Pinnacle Gap, one of the more dramatic spots in the Welsh mountains, before escaping up right to a very misty Glyder plateau. This always means slightly tricky nav on the Glyders, and the cloud was thick enough to give drizzle, so I was glad of my coat. I descended the Gribin, sticking to the strict classic Bochlwyd Horseshoe route. This was a bit slower than usual, and I emerged to sunshine and spectacular cloudscapes on the shores of Llyn Bochlwyd. Down the steps and back to the car in time for lunch and an online meeting, just a tad over two hours for the loop.

Wnion loop from Aber

Peaks: Moel Wnion, Gyrn, Llefn, Moel Faban

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

The tiny little brother of the much bigger Llewellyn loop from Aber that I have done a couple of times, and as such suitable for a time-constrained outing. A dense sea mist made this interesting, and I was in a thick layer of cloud as I plotted my own way up Wnion from Aber (there isn't really a direct path) including a little woodland. I emerged from the mist at the cairn on Ffridd Ddu, looking down on a blanket of cloud over the Menai Strait. From here it is easy to join the main northerly path up (taken by the Foel Fras race decent) and the atmospheric conditions remained interesting - thick mist giving way to spectacular clearances over Llwytmor. It was clear on the summit, so I pelted down the Wnion race route, over Gyrn to Llefn, then the steep trench that leads directly to Faban (just under 14 mins for this section, taken at speed). Then I dropped through the gorse to take the intermittent ancient tracks that traverse the base of Wnion then curve round to the east and Aber. I re-entered the mist as I headed north and it was an absolute pea-souper almost all the way back.

Levengrove parkrun

'Race': Levengrove parkrun (Dumbarton)

Time/Position: 19.21 (3rd from 126)

Various commitments meant I had to return home after a very short trip, but it had served its purpose admirably as a stress test for the van. After another good night's sleep, I woke to the forecast low cloud, although it was dry and didn't actually look that bad (and I knew that it was better further north) so it was still pretty hard to start driving south. To ease the blow, I had decided to take in a parkrun, and the Levengrove parkrun in Dumbarton was perfectly placed. Beautiful light as I drove along Loch Lomond, with tendrils of mist draping the hills. Levengrove park was very nice too, with the River Leven on one side, and the Firth of Clyde on the other (although where the 'firth' begins and the river ends is debateable). It was all very nice, and I enjoyed the three lap parkrun, although I was a little tired and more than a little sluggish. An uphill drag at the far end of the park was enough to really slow times, but it was very enjoyable, and I then had breakfast before leaving the town. 

Tyndrum hills

Peaks: Beinn Dubhchraig, Ben Oss

Area: Tyndrum, Scotland

With such limited time at my disposal, I just focused on filling in a few obvious gaps in the Southern Highlands (not that I'm a munro bagger or anything). I have been up Ben Lui twice in the past, and it is one of Scotland's finest mountains, but I hadn't done its twin satellites on the Tyndrum side. So this seemed a logical outing from my base in Dalrigh. After a good night's sleep in the van, and a bacon bap, I set off across the Fillan into a glorious morning towards the wonderful regenerated woodland of Coille Coire Chuilc. A long and rather boggy haul up the shallow Allt Choire Dubchraig, rarely particularly steep, leads into the upper bowl and the ridge east of the summit. After this, the hardest work is done and the broad ridge was superb in crystal clarity - the Southern Highlands at their sparkling May best. When it is like this, it is magical: and it took me right back to my first ever May trip in 1989, when I went up the southern Glencoe peaks with a similarly inexperienced lad from Ruabon (it was a Manchester University hiking club trip). In a different technological context, we had no weather forecast and after a stunning, glorious start on Buachille Etive Beag it changed very suddenly on Bidian nam Bian, one of Scotland's more serious peaks, and a salutary lesson ensued. No chance of that happening today, the weather was set fair until tomorrow morning at least, and there was barely a cloud in the sky as I reached the undistinguished summit of Dubhchraig. From here, the ridge stretches out to Ben Oss with Lui in the distance. I could also see across to yesterday's peaks as well as the hills across the valley like Beinn Dorain. I trotted along the ridge to a steep descent down to the pronounced Bealach Bhuidhe (with lonely Loch Oss shimmering below) before climbing back out the other side to a forepeak, and then another descent before the main summit of Ben Oss was reached. This mountain is famous for its full-on view of Ben Lui, arguably one of the best views in Scotland. A couple of snow patches lent this particular definition. I then had a bit of a dilemma: whether to continue to Ben Lui or fashion an interesting descent down to Cononish. I went for the latter, returning to the col as I thought I had read it is the best way down to the glen. I had actually read that it is the worst way down, and that it is conventional to retrace steps. Oh well, I should concentrate harder! It was fine, a little steep at the top and then tiresomely tussocky at the bottom, but the Choire Bhuidhe was completely untracked, empty and with the Highland flavour I enjoy. A tricky river crossing at the bottom, but with a superb view up to the central gully of Ben Lui. A climb then led to the track that becomes a road lower down the glen, because there is a working goldmine two-thirds of the way up. It is still a long haul back to Dalrigh though, and I began to feel those 10,500ft of ascent over the last 24 hours, and another 20k day, albeit at a very gentle pace. A river bath in Strath Fillan, and then a gentle amble through the birch woods to the Tyndrum cafe for scampi and chips.

Ben Vane-Ben Vorlich

Peaks: Ben Vane (915), Ben Vorlich (943)

Area: Arrochar Alps, Scotland

A steep double-header with well over 1800m of climbing. I wouldn't normally do a biggish day like this immediately after driving up, but I only had 48 hours in the Southern Highlands, a brief test for my still unconverted van! An early start, but an efficient drive saw me parking at Inveruglas before 1pm. So it was perfectly feasible to combine these two and still have time for tea at the Real Food cafe. A roadside jog along Lomondside led to the tarmac road up to Loch Sloy. This part of the Arrochar Alps is a little spoiled by the access road to the reservoir and numerous power cables. However, Ben Vane is pretty impressive from the approach road, as it A'Chrois across the valley. The road makes for quick progress and then it is on to the stepped climb up the obvious south-east ridge. This was initially delightful in perfect weather, weaving round, passing little crags, the views opening out. Higher up though the wind became quite strong and there are a lot of false summits on this hill. So many that it became quite tedious and time consuming at the top. Once there, great views over this mini range, back to the Cobbler and Ben Narnain, both of which I did two years ago. Ahead, Ben Lomond and most of Loch Lomond. And to the north, the familiar hills around Tyndrum. The descent was easy and enjoyable, and then I took a traverse line, perhaps some kind of ancient path, which cut the corner below Loch Sloy to nasty tussocks. After a drink from the stream, I located the Vorlich path and started up this, conscious I had already done 1000m of climbing. As such, I was pleased to feel good and actually found Vorlich a bit easier, as the steepness relents halfway to a traverse before an interesting broad ridge through little crags (typical of this micro-region) leads to the trig - although the true summit is a little way beyond this. Windy but bracing views across the Southern Highlands, the quality of light improving as the sun dropped a little. A quick descent, jogged in places, back to the tarmac and long gentle descent back to Inveruglas and a cleansing bath in Loch Lomond. Less than 4 hours for the 20k/1850m route, so not too slow. I refuelled in Tyndrum and slept in the little Dalrigh carpark - perfect.

Border League relays

Race: Border League final relay, Birkenhead Park (1 mile)

Time/Position: 5.20 (14th team?)

A novel finale for the border league this season. All positions and prizes were already sorted after Hoylake in March, so an informal team relay around Birkenhead Park preceded the presentation at the historic rugby club instead of the usual 7th raee. I went off first for our four man Buckley veteran's team, and was fairly pleased to get round the anticlockwise circuit (like a short version of the usual borders lap) in 5.20. The gentle drag at the end always slows times a little, and did so today. Richard Shearer, Jez and Liam made up the rest of our team, and we all ran fairly similar times although lost out to Wallasey veterans on the night. Possibly 14th team overall, not sure.