March catch up.

It's the last day of March and it's been a busy month. The following is a summary of what we've managed to do.

Friday 11 March - I was out on a cracking day in Borrowdale with Fix the Fells. We repaired a section of the Rosthwaite to Watendlath track which had been washed out in storm Desmond. It was hard but enjoyable work.

Derwent Water and Cat Bells on route to 'Fixing the Fells'.

Derwent Water and Skiddaw.

Hard at work - recovering washed out rocks to fix the path.

People donated over £50 as we worked.

Job done - this section was washed out when we started.

Saturday 12 March - We were up and away early to meet friends in the An Teallach Mountaineering Club who were at a meet in Grange Borrowdale. Unfortunately the weather was poor with low cloud and light rain but it was good to catch up. I seemed to be elected as the 'guide' and led the group of 8 over Glaramara and Allen Crags before descending via Sty Head.

Climbing steeply out of Seathwaite.

On the summit of Allen Crags.

Dropping back into Borrowdale.

Sunday 13 March - A much better day so after a lie in we headed out for a cycle. There was a feeling of Spring in the air.

Heading east.

More and more lambs in the fields - Spring is on the way.

Always happy to be out on the bike.

Thursday 17 March - We headed north to Symington to start a wee Scottish break. It was a lovely Spring day so once we'd unpacked we headed up Tinto. With no wind and warm sunshine it was a little different to our last ascent in winter.

Blue sky as we head north.

Heading up Tinto under a blue sky - a treat.

Looking across the Clyde Valley to Culter Fell.

On the summit cairn with a 'bright object' in the sky.

Pleased to back in the Scottish hills.

A great way to start our break.

Looking to Culter Fell.

Friday 18 March - We headed to Glasgow by train for Alec's book launch at the 'Aye Write Book Festival'. It was a very successful and enjoyable event and we had a good night in Glasgow before heading back to Symington on Saturday.

The 'Highland Man's Umbrella' - Glasgow Station.

Proud Mum reading her son's first novel.

Alec's book has since 'won' Book of the Month in Coasts Magazine.

Sunday 20 March - Another Spring day so we headed out to climb Culter Fell in the afternoon. It was again calm and warm but the visibility wasn't great due to haze and heather burning.

Shirt sleeves weather - great!!!

On the steep section of the climb.

A great day in the Border hills.

Susan on her favourite summit.

The 'old man' needed a seat on the top.

Reflections on the descent.

Monday 21 March - We headed north to Perthshire for a 4 night break in a wee log cabin near Pitlochry. We wanted to get some cycling done and started with a 20 mile exploratory ride when we arrived. It was noticeably much colder than 'down south'.

Our wee wood cabin.

Exploring the local roads.

Taking a wee break.

In a cold Blair Atholl.

Tuesday 22 March - We drove to Kinloch Rannoch to allow us to complete a 55 mile circuit ride. This took us to the remote Rannoch Station around Loch Rannoch and below Schiehallion. It was a challenging day for the time of year but we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Heading out.

Looking down Loch Tummel from Queen's View.

Riding along Loch Rannoch.

A Loch Rannoch beach.

A 'cream tea' awaits.

Posing at the station.

On the Platform.

Ready for the Cafe.

Worth the effort.

Heading back to the road.

Riding across Rannoch Moor.

Great quiet roads.

The wilds of Rannoch Moor.

Looking along Loch Rannoch.

A wee bit cold by the Loch.

On the Schiehallion Road.

Highland riding at it's best.

11 miles to go.

Wednesday 23 March - Another overcast but dry day saw us heading out from the Cabin on the bikes. We cycled first to Blair Atholl and then up Glen Errochtry to Trinafour. From here it was up to over 300m on a minor road and then a long descent to Tummel Bridge. It was a cold day and on the descent I got very cold and not long after leaving the village I started to feel unwell probably due to mild hypothermia. Susan took over and 'nursed' me along the 15 miles back to the Cabin. I got straight into bed shivering away before I warmed up.

Heading out.

Part of the track to Blair Atholl had been washed away by a winter flood.

Crossing the River Garry into Blair Atholl.

Heading along Glen Errochty.

Climbing out of Trinafour.

The long COLD descent to Tummel Bridge.

Thursday 24 March - The forecast was for showers and strong winds so we decided on a trip to Aviemore to climb a wee hill - Meall a Bhuachaille above Glenmore. The weather was much better than expected. We stayed dry and even had some sunshine but it was windy.

Before heading to the hill we had to visit one of our favourite Cafes.

Walking in to Glenmore Forest.

Lochan Uaine - always a great place to visit.

Taking it all in.

At Ryvoan Bothy where the climb starts.

Climbing up from the bothy.

Still snow on the Cairngorm mountains.

Looking to the Cairngorms.

On the windy summit.

Our summit pose.

Back in the forest.

Friday 25 March - The forecast of dry and sunny weather meant that we couldn't head down the road without doing another cycle. We packed up and drove to Pitlochry and then did a great round taking in Weem, Dull, Keltneyburn and the great wee road along the south shore of Loch Tummel. The last leg was a repeat of Wednesday's round and I was able to appreciate this time.

Sad to be leaving the Cabin.

A great day to cycle along the River Tay.

A 'must' sign photo.

A great view of Schiehallion.

Enjoying the open road.

Schiehallion again.

Big sky country.

Turning on to the GWR.

Loch Tummel.

About to descend into Pitlochry.

On Sunday 27 March we drove down the road to Cumbria and on Easter Monday we headed for the fells. The weather wasn't as good as forecast but the day improved as we wandered over Green and Great Gable. Surprisingly we saw very few people given that it was a Bank Holiday but we weren't complaining.

Climbing up the side of Sour Milk Gill.

Light snow and no views on Green Gable - back to winter.

Green Gable summit break.

Clearing view of the Scafell massif.

Approaching Great Gable summit.

A return to winter - gable summit.

My summit pose.

Looking down Wasdale.

Starting the descent.

Looking down on Sty Head.

Back in the fells.

Dropping down to Borrowdale.

The last leg back to the car.

Alec has been down staying with us for a few days this week and this evening we had a walk along Harrington beach as the sun was starting to set. A fitting way to end the month.

Walking towards Scotland.