The listing for 2013 had Gary Jones and me right next to each other, both on 1275. We are not connected and as far as I know our paths have not crossed. I hope his health problems are sorted out - if so he is probably some way up the list from me this time as my total of 35 for 2014 is one down on the previous year. A late trip to Scotland had to be cancelled when my Mum, aged 94, fell and broke her hip. She has made a good recovery so David and I hope to get away to the boat in Scotland as usual this summer.
2014 kicked off in May with the recently elevated Lamberton Hill on our way up to the boat. While David did the spring titivation I made a number of short trips. Leathad Mhor saw a long-awaited completion of section 3A. A number of Corbetts and Grahams followed in Glen Orchy, Sunart, Ardgour and on the Cowal peninsula, where there were hordes of butterflies on the hills.
In June, during a spell of shore leave, I was back in Ardgour where my friend Jean joined me for a few days camping in Glen Etive. We had a couple of sunny days doing the Munros there and a misty day on Beinn Trilleachan. I was then called south to attend to my mum who was in hospital. Back on the boat, in July, I completed the Jura Marilyns with a fine sunset from the summit of Dubh Bheinn before a bivvy nearby. My watch ran slow in the night and I missed the early bus back to Craighouse, however I had taken the folding bike with me just in case. It was a long, hilly pedal back.
Scarba from the west cost of Jura (photo: Alan Dawson)
Laying up the boat in August I made a couple of trips to Cowal and completed region 19 on Creag Tharsuinn. Druim Leathad nam Fias in Ardgour involved an interesting river crossing on a strand of wire. On the way south we stopped off near Dumfries for Mochrum Fell and Bainloch Hill. Thus ended the 2014 Marilyns. As the years go by the legs are less willing, the hills seem to get higher but remain as enjoyable as ever.
I hope to open 2015 with recompletion of the Welsh Marilyns on Mynydd Anelog in February.
