Had it not been for a pleasant trip to Kintyre in June, my total for 2013 would have been pathetic. What a lot of tree bashing has to be done in this area. However, I still managed to add 14 to the total on this trip.
A boat trip to the west enabled me to complete the Barra to Barra Head section. Even writing off my camera when falling into the sea when attempting to land in the heavy swell off Mingulay did not dampen my joy in bagging these four isolated islands. Adding Canna's Carn a'Ghaill on the outward journey and the magnificent ridge of Eigg's Sgorr an Fharaidh on our return made this a memorable trip. The Minch was so calm we were actually able to land on the windswept island of Oigh-sgeir, 14km west of Rum, sadly not earning a tick as it is only ten metres high. I have said before I am lucky to have a friend with a converted old fishing boat and he is so experienced that he can anchor just below the hills.
My last outing was in October to complete section 28A with a circuit of Broughton Heights. I will probably require a second hip replacement in 2014. I cannot complain considering that my 2000 model has travelled all over the world and managed over 850 Marilyns, plus repeats.
