Highlights were Ben Venue in mist in April - a solitary celebration of my 1000th Marilyn - and a first visit to Shetland with near-perfect weather, making it even more splendid than last year's Orkney visit. Noss Head was one of my favourite spots, while an amazingly rough two-and-a-quarter hour boat trip to Foula (for 20p) was the first time in many years that I've been so violently ill on a boat. After two nights on the island to recover, the return crossing (another 20p) was much calmer. Other highlights in the year were Holy Island (Arran) and Creag Dubh (9B). Difficult ascents included Mile Hill, Hill of Garvock, Meall nan Damh (20C) and Meikle Bin. I still have five first hills by Marhofers to be climbed, plus seven Corbetts, two Council Tops, etc. I ended the year limping after an operation on my arthritic big toe, hoping to be able to run up the hills in 2004.
