Ten Years.

It's 10 years today (5 August 2004) since Susan and I first met in Geneva Airport on route to Chamonix to walk the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. The time has flown by and they have been my best ten years. This Blog entry attempts to record some of the things we did before I started the Blog as a record of our trips.

The first photo of us together in Chamonix - 5 August 2004.

In September 2004 we had our first trip away together. We camped in Glenmore and had two good days out in the Cairngorms. The photo was taken on the wee Corbett Meall a' Bhuachaille above Glenmore Lodge.

In the October of 2004 we had our first week 'up north'. We spent several nights in the Tyndrum Wigwams, 2 nights in a bothy and a luxury night in the Atholl Arms Hotel - Susan paid for that one.

Susan climbing Ben Lui.

On the summit of Ben Lui.

After two nights in a bothy.

The winter of 2004/05 was a good one and we had several excellent winter days in the highlands - some of the best we've had.

'Great days!!!!'

In 2005 Susan started to introduce me to the delights of road cycling and I bought a new bike. We had many great days on the Border roads - some of them epic - and I experienced cycle touring for the first time in Ireland.

On my first ride over Dreva pass - no helmets in those days!

This was an epic ride - 78 miles in February!!!

At the Meggett Stone - 20 miles to go on icy roads.

Touring in Ireland - Easter 2005.

Our first camping tour - part of the Border Loop.

Fully loaded but enjoying it.

Great days!!!

Our first summer holiday in August 2005 was to Austria and the Stubai Alps. We completed an excellent hut tour.

The winter of 2005/06 was another good one in the highlands and we had a number of snow days out - some with An Teallach Mountaineering Club which Susan had introduced me to in 2004.

Susan had done 50 Munros when we met - this was her 100th Ben Lawers.

On an ATMC Meet - Glen Shiel.

Our Summer holiday in 2006 was a road trip to Norway - something I'd wanted to do for years. It was as good as I'd anticipated.

Starting the climb of Galdhøpiggen - Norway's highest mountain.

The Besseggen Ridge.

Above the Geiranger fiord.

In  February 2006 Susan moved down to Cumbria and we were able to get out more and more together. We walked the fells, walked and cycled in the Borders and had some great trips 'up north' - fantastic days and too many pictures to show them all.

Walking the fells.

A 'wee cycle tour' in the Borders - Symington to Dumfries.

On an ATMC meet 'up north'.

On 28 May 2007 I was involved in a climbing accident on Skye with Jeff Langstaff. I wasn't badly hurt but in June developed a DVT in my left leg. I was unable to walk properly for a couple of months but with Susan's help was fit enough to visit the Outer Hebrides in August - another place I'd wanted to visit for years. As always we had a great trip.

 Heading for a 'wee cycle tour' around Barra.

Fit enough to climb a few wee hills.

A new friend - this dog followed us for miles on one of our walks.

I got back to full fitness through the winter and spring of 2008 so in the summer we were able to return to Norway for another road trip. We did some great walks and even got in a glacier tour and a Kayak.

Getting fit in the highlands.

Walking in amazing Norway.

Kayaking on a glacial lake.

On a glacier tour.

On 25 October 2008 we got married in Gretna Green - a great if very wet day. Appropriately we honeymooned in the Cairngorms. The weather was very wintery so we stayed off the hills and did some great mountain biking including the crossing of the Ryvoan Pass.

A happy married man.

Heading for the Ryvoan pass - not your normal honeymoon.

Ryvoan Bothy - we did not stay the night!!!!

I started the Blog at the end of 2008 and we've had many more adventures together since then. I hope for many more to come.