Update.

We've had a busy two weeks in which we've got out and done quite a bit in the hills of Cumbria and Scotland.

During the weekend of the 24th and 25th March a blocking High brought dry and warm weather to the Cumbrian fells so we had two good days out. On Saturday we climbed Helvellyn from Swirls Car Park and then traversed over Whiteside, Raise and Stybarrow Dodd to Watson's Dodd before descending via Stanah Gill to Thilrspot. The visibility wasn't great but we thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Helvellyn summit.

The view of Catsycam on route to Whiteside.

Sunday saw us climbing another Lakeland 3000' peak. This time it was Skiddaw via Ullock Pike and Carl Side - definitely the best route up this popular fell. Again the views were limited by haze but this didn't detract from a good few hours out on the hill.

On Longside Edge on route to Skiddaw.

Heading for the final steep pull onto Skiddaw from Carl Side.

The following Friday saw us heading north to our first ATMC meet in two years at the SMC Raeburn Hut just north of Dalwhinnie. It was late when we arrived and we just managed to squeeze in to the two remaining spots on the sleeping platform.

On Saturday we were the first to leave as we had a longish day planned to bag the only Munros Susan hadn't done in the area - Geal-charn and Carn Dearg. This involved mountain biking 13.5km into Loch Pattack from Dalwhinnie before heading off on foot for a 16km round over the two tops. The day wasn't looking very promising as we headed off and it was soon rainning quite heavily. However, by the time we'd locked the bikes up and set off for Culra Bothy the sky began to clear and the day just got better and better. We had some tremendous views of the surrounding hills all of which we've climbed at some point.

Looking forward to a long day in the highlands.

Ben Alder, Culra Bothy and the Lancet Edge on route to Geal-charn.

Geal-charn summit.

Looking back at Geal-charn on route to Carn Dearg.

Lunch on Carn Dearg.

Descending under clearing skies.

A great day to be in the highlands.

The descent to Loch Pattack.

Ready for the 13.5km 'ride out'.

On the trail back to Dalwhinnie.

Our early departure meant that we were first back to the hut so we set about preparing the communal Italian Meal for the club AGM. The others began to arrive in dribs and drabs from various other Munros and it was a good night despite the lack of running water in the hut due to a problem with the pump.

We wanted to make use of the Mountain Bikes on Sunday so headed off to Aviemore - to do some of our favourite trails in the Rothiemurchus Forest and enjoy a stop in the Ski Road Cafe. The trails are easy but great fun to ride and the forest is always wonderful to be in.

Crossing the Cairgorm Footbridge.

Great trail riding to get back into mountain biking.

After our ride we decided to head west to Glen Nevis and it's excellent Campsite at the foot of the Ben. I've been visiting this for many years but this was Susan's first time. We had no definite plans for the next four days other than to relax and enjoy the highlands.

Monday dawned overcast but dry so we decided on a Munro day and headed off for Gairich above Loch Quoich. This is a straight forward up and down route but still takes 5hours plus and involves some simple scrambling. The top was covered in cloud as we left and remained so until we got back to the car. Despite this it was worth the effort for another tick in Susan's Munro guide.

'It's up there somewhere' the ridge up to Gairich.

Some easy scrambling on the ridge.

Another tick in the cloud.

Typically the summit cleared as we got back to the car.

Monday night was wild with rain/snow and strong winds. I slept through most of it but Susan thought she was camping half way up Everest and had a bad night. On Tuesday morning the cloud was down and the hills white. We decided on breakfast in Fort William and then went for a bike ride up Glen Nevis as the weather had improved.

The view up Glen Nevis.

One of many wee waterfalls at the head of the glen.

Heading back to the campsite.

The forecast was better for Wednesday so we decided on another Munro day. We didn't want to drive far given the shortage of diesel in the local garages thanks to the Tory fuel crisis. In the end we set off from the campsite for Carn Mor Dearg. Our route took us up the Ben tourist track to the halfway Lochan. We then dropped down to Allt a Mhuilimn before climbing Carn Beag Dearg and following the ridge to Carn Mor Dearg. The layer of fresh snow and ice on rocks made the going difficult and we decided against following the CMD arete onto the Ben as we didn't have our axes or crampons. We returned along the same route and had some good views even though the cloud didn't fully disappear until we were back at the tent. As the sun went down the moon rose above the Ben marking the start of a cold frosty night.

The north face of the Ben from Carn Beag Dearg.

Two shots on the ridge to Carn Mor Dearg.

Carn Mor Dearg summit.

 Looking along the CMD arete.

The fantastic north face of Ben Nevis.

Four shots on the descent back to Glen Nevis.

A well deserved beer back at the tent.

Moon rise over the Ben and the start of a cold night.

On Thursday we headed down the road, as planned, to Symington after 5 good days in the highlands. Friday was a wet day but Saturday was better for our city day break in Edinburgh. It's always good to have a wander around the capital and we had a lovely meal out in Belle Italia.

The National Museum of Scotland.

'Can we get a bike like this?'

The Edinburgh skyline from the Museum roof.

Edinburgh Castle.

Sunday was the best day of the Easter weekend so we jumped on the road bikes and headed for Pebbles. This 42 mile round is an old favourite and follows lovely quiet back roads. There were lots of lambs in the fields but most were seeking shelter from a strong wind which helped us on the way to Pebbles but made the return leg hard work - especially in several heavy showers.

On Easter Monday we headed down the road to Cumbria in heavy showers. We'd had an excellent nine days in Scotland despite the return to winter.