Ben Nevis was my first hill back in 1972, and for many years I was an amateur bagger, contenting myself with Munros then Donalds before moving on to Corbetts and Grahams. I then had the (mis)fortune of finding Alan's book in the library. It was the start of a new manic bout of bagging. My first deliberate Marilyn was Broughton Heights (28A) in March 2002. It was number 262. By the end of the year I had climbed a further 68, followed by 103 in 2003 and 93 in 2004.
I was aiming to get to 600 before my 55th birthday in August 2005. Disaster struck first in September 2004 - muscle damage to my left knee - then in October 2004, having come down Calf Top (35B) very carefully, I stepped into a hole left by a cow's hoof and felt my knee coming apart as I pulled my leg out. I was diagnosed as having damaged the cartilage at the base of my left knee. I tried a few hills but the pain was getting worse so I decided on a long lay off, except for some cycling on an exercise bike.
So the campaign didn't start again until mid-May. In three days I finished regions 40 and 41. The highlights were being ambushed by a squad of soldiers at the summit of High Willhays, going up Watch Croft in shorts on a rainy evening (the gorse is wicked) and, with a break in the mist, looking down on the trig on Hensbarrow Beacon.
June was north Wales, in July I finished region 36 and then spent four days in south Wales. August bagging was in the Dales, and on the 13th I got to 600 on Aye Gill Pike (35B). Many thanks to Ann, Rowland, Charles and Peter who shared the moment with me. Rowland's recovery from his injuries is certainly an inspiration. In November I finished region 33 - fantastic frosty weather, with old snow in the forests and higher up. Unfortunately, health problems meant the year petered out on 99. My main aim for 2006 will be to finish the rest of England and to do as much of Wales as I can - Brent will vouch for my fear of heights on an otherwise lovely day on Ailsa Craig.
