As well as reaching 1000 Marilyns in March 2012 on Carn Salachaidh, I am sure you will be pleased to hear I eventually completed the Grahams in August 2012, with the last being Beinn na Muice in the beautiful Glen Strathfarrar. I was fortunate to have ten friends and family to share the walk on a wonderful sunny day and rounded off the occasion with a celebratory meal at the nearby hotel.
Reflecting on the thirty Grahams climbed in 2012 it has been difficult to identify a favourite. In April I was on the Isle of Mull to climb three of them. Although these were spectacular, each day seeing soaring eagles, the favourite hill has to be Meall Mheinnidh, which I climbed on a brilliant blue day in May.
Much has been said about the poor weather of 2012 but only two of my hills were climbed in wet, misty and windy conditions. The sun did indeed shine on the west of Scotland and the Western Isles.
At the age of 69 years I found myself most grateful for my mountain bike, which I used to access half my new Grahams, saving me much foot slogging and time.
There are still plenty of new Marilyns to be climbed. In June 2013, Glenys and I are looking forward to visiting Orkney for the first time.
