It certainly was a busy year in 2012. The increase of 73 Marilyns was the best achievement for several years. Meanwhile, Celia was concentrating on excursions by boat, bus and train - visiting castles and other attractions.
My ambition to climb another Cuillin nearly came to an early conclusion. Finding myself on the pinnacles of Sgurr nan Gillean came as a bit of a shock, particularly as my rock climbing skills are rather limited. Fortunately the rock was bone dry. In fact the weather on Skye at the end of May was the best I have ever experienced. Anyway, I finally achieved my goal, by retracing my steps, but it was a very long day. Needless to say the rest of the year was a bit of an anti-climax.
Two of the pinnacles of Sgurr nan Gillean (photo: Alan Dawson)
Shep, the collie, has completed 624 Marilyns in ten years. Left to his own devices I am sure he would have completed the lot by now, excluding those that involve rock climbing. I know Alan D has an antipathy towards dogs entering the HoF, so hopefully he can be smuggled in through the back door.
When you reach the top, that's when the climb begins.
- Michael Caine
