Looking through my notes for 2014 reminds me not only of the many fabulous days spent on the hill. My diary also reminds me of numerous ferries that were missed. One of the more memorable was also by the largest margin, of one week. Actually I suppose it may not count as missed really, but it is a good excuse to relive our day visiting Ulva and Gometra islands off Mull. We arrived at the Ulva ferry only to be told by Donald the ferryman that we were a week too early. It was April Fools day. Luckily Donald agreed to take us across to Ulva, after first checking how we planned to return. Eric had already arranged with Ian Munro for help getting us back to Mull. Although Ian's main boat was out of action, a quad-bike ride followed by a short dinghy sail would see us back on mainland Mull. Ian and his wife are the only inhabitants of Gometra. I was very much looking forward to meeting Ian, having heard of his home-made rhubarb wine infused with home-grown strawberries. We agreed to meet him after climbing to the high points of each island. Unknown to us it was Ian's birthday, and so two vital ingredients were in place for a party.
Ian invited us in, joined by his four dogs, where a jug of home-brewed carrot wine was waiting for us. Around the room there were four demijohns in various stages of fermentation. During my fourth glass, just when I thought things could get no better, it did by way of a plate of fresh crab. Delicious. Luckily for me Ian forgot the dram for the road he had promised. Clinging on to the quad bike, slightly inebriated, was not fun and it got very muddy. I sobered up slightly in the dinghy, and decided this was bagging at its best.
Ian's telephone number is 01688 500221 for those interested in fine wines and fresh local produce.
Another ferry miss worth a mention was to Inverie from Mallaig. A day trip to Beinn Bhuidhe was the objective, as was catching the first ferry out. This was duly missed, but we decided to stick with the route at a faster pace. We were on schedule until a dry river gorge was descended into by mistake. It was strewn with large boulders, difficult to climb over or around. When we finally managed to escape from the gorge, bracken way above our heads made for very slow progress back onto the track. Needless to say we missed the last ferry, despite our attempt to run back to the jetty. Nothing for it but to pop into The Old Forge for a pint and to sort out how to get back to Mallaig. Fortunately there was an unscheduled late ferry back, so avoiding an unexpected and expensive stay in Inverie.
Another near miss involved the ferry from Ardgour to Corran. We had climbed Beinn na h-Uamha and its neighbouring Marilyn A'Bheinn Bhan. We pedalled hard to catch the penultimate ferry, but not hard enough. As consolation I had a slightly too leisurely pint at the inn, thinking the last ferry was 9.30pm. In fact it was 9.20pm, but we just caught it in time. Our nonchalance was commented on by the ferryman as we wandered down the slipway.
There have been many great weeks away, to Mull, Attadale, Brora, Poolewe and of course St Kilda. What a trip that was, thank you again, Alan Holmes. Hills of particular note were Streap, Ben Aden, Garbh Bheinn, Meall Garbh and Beinn nan Lus.
Looking forward to whatever 2015 dishes up, and hoping to complete either the Corbetts or Grahams by the year end.
Anne looking flushed (photo: Eric Young)
