Considering that on return from a trekking holiday in Asia I was diagnosed with a dickey ticker in March and subsequently finished 2012 with a slackening of my hip replacement, I was very pleased to have added 53 Marilyns and 29 Humps to my total. 2013 may present a challenge.
My highlight this year was a trip to Orkney in the campervan. Such a lovely group of islands, with so much to see and places to visit, as well as hills to bag. Being involved in agriculture all my working life, I was most impressed with the farming techniques and the kind friendship shown by the families involved.
Apart from Shetland, all roads now lead south, where my main tally in 2012 involved hills in the Borders and northern England. I also managed five tops in Wales, including the fantastic Moel Siabod and Tal y Fan. The remaining Grahams to do total was reduced from three to two, after a lovely day on Ben Venue, in May.
If anyone has bagged the Hump, Creag Nighean Iain Duinn (Foyers Hill) by Loch Ness, they will know it is only 200 metres from the road. However, it is one of the most tricky hills I have ever attempted, certainly enough to dissuade one from Humping.
