As someone who does almost all his hillwalking alone, it is most unusual for my report to feature two other baggers. After the untimely loss of Graham Bunn in Autumn 2010, it was my pleasure and privilege to become the first person other than Graham to accompany Anne Bunn up a new Marilyn, Hightown Hill. We subsequently knocked off several others in southern Scotland together and this boosted me towards 67 new scalps for the year; a higher tally than for some time. Later in the year I took Anne to one of my nearest Marilyns, Bishop Wilton Wold, but was surprised to discover a 2m high mesh fence which makes it impossible to visit the trig.
In June, I enjoyed the pleasure of Alan Dawson's company over a couple of hills in region 1A. However, we failed to agree on what we should call them: while I preferred Graham Tops, Alan called them P30s or Sims. I know I will not be alone but I cannot let this mention of Alan pass without adding my thanks for all his efforts; both with the original concept of relative hills and all the subsequent years of Marhofn.
Tops were my priority in 2011. I have now done every Corbett Top apart from two that require a companion with climbing skills (offers anyone?) and I have only 14 Graham Tops left. Once again, I will need someone with a rope to achieve completion as indeed I do for Pillar Rock which will give me all the Nuttalls and Synges.
As far as Marilyns are concerned, I returned to Mull for the first time in a decade but still need another visit to finish everything. Less gloriously, I made a very rare foray to Albion's south east and collected all the region 42 Marilyns apart from Cheriton Hill. Too much traffic; not enough walking. Crowborough puzzled me as received wisdom is to look for a house called Bannockburn in Warren Road. I couldn't find the house. Has it been renamed? I did visit all the likely high points in public areas and also trespassed into the water works compound to visit the trig. On returning to Warren Road, I ventured up a new-looking cul-de-sac. One of the houses there is called 'Folly's End'. Says it all really.
A difficult choice for 'hill of the year' but I'll give the gong to Yr Eifl. Wonderful sea views in great light on an early September day. Purple heather and yellow gorse in the foreground with the added bonus of the rocky approach to the north top and a visit to the nearby Celtic hill fort of Trer Cairi.
I experienced the other face of Wales on my final away trip of 2011. A filthy wet week in Brecon in October trying to find Deweys in mist, so sapped my enthusiasm for hills that it was a full seven weeks before I ventured out again; by far the longest non injury-enforced gap between hills I have ever had. Even now, I'm still finding it far too easy to find reasons not to go out.
