My Death Forecast

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The 2007 Corrieyairack Challenge # 1

Savage terrain, precipitous gradients, impenetrable jungle, unfathomable canyons...........it's extreme, it's a bike ride and it's been and gone.

What is it?

43 mile sponsored bike ride.


One of the less demanding parts of the route:



A slightly more demanding part of the route:


When is it?

30 June 2007.

Why is it?

To raise money for disabled adults to participate in outdoor activities.

Where is it?

From Fort Augustus (by Loch Ness) to Kincraig in the heart of the Scottish Highlands:


Will Supplementary Breathing Apparatus be Required?

Not quite, but the route does cross the Corrieyairack pass along the highest mountain road in Scotland (as I discovered today). The summit is at 2526ft (770m). The summit is suitably equipped in case a nightstop should become necessary:


http://www.corrieyairack.org/

Aran Islands Excursion

Some pictures from a recent holiday excursion to the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. The islands are a popular tourist destination and have a number of ancient archeaological sites.

The main island of Inishmore has a population of approximately 900 and is nine miles long. The smaller islands of Inishmaan and Inisheer have populations of approximately 250.

We stayed on Inishmore for two nights and spent a few hours visiting Inisheer.

Each island has its own airstrip with regular flights from Inverin, Co Galway.(http://www.aerarannislands.ie/).

Inishmore Airstrip.


Aran Direct (http://www.arandirect.com/) and Aran Island Ferries (http://www.aranislandferries.com/) serve the islands from Rossaveal, Co Galway and Doolin Ferries (http://www.doolinferries.com/) serve the islands from Doolin, Co Clare.

Kilronan Harbour, Inishmore.


Pier House (http://www.pierhousearan.com/), our B & B on Inishmore, conveniently situated in Kilronan (Inishmore's 'capital').


Hannah on bike (popular form of transport on Inishmore).


An old monk's or hermit's shack, Inishmore.


Ruined church, Inishmore.


Looking northwest from the western end of Inishmore.


Lane and fields, Inishmore.


Inishmore (Dun Aengus fort visible on southern [left hand] clifftop).


Dun Aengus Fort, the principal archaelogical site on Inishmore.




Hannah at Dun Aengus.


Views from Dun Aengus.


Looking east.


Looking south (on a clear day, you can see Mount Brandon, Co Kerry - 65 miles away).


Looking southeast; Cliffs of Moher (Co Clare) in the background.


Looking northwest.


Inisheer Harbour after quite a rough 45 minutes on the ferry from Inishmore.


Inisheer.




Hannah concentrating on not being seasick on the ferry back to Inishmore.

Lochnagar Expeditionette

Recently accompanied Lidster on an expeditionette up Lochnagar in the Balmoral Estate, Scotland's 21st highest mountain (3789ft - 1155m).

Lochnagar summit.


Lochnagar loch.


Descending towards Loch Muick.


Lidster appreciating scenery adjacent to waterfall.

Cape Wrath Excursion

I took Hannah away for a surprise excursion for our second wedding anniversary and her 30th birthday to Cape Wrath, 200 miles northwest of Aberdeen and the most northwesterly point on the British mainland.

Turn right here for Cape Wrath.

Actually the sign is a tad misleading as you actually have to get a boat across this bit of water (the Kyle of Durness)..........

.....before catching the minibus from the pier on the other side along the "Cape Wrath Freeway".....

.....past sentry huts like these (to ensure during military exercises you are not fired upon by accidentally entering the range).....

.....and secluded coves and interesting rock formations.....

.....until reaching the successful conclusion of this rather tortuous voyage.

Cape Wrath lighthouse.

Facing east along the north coast of Scotland from Cape Wrath.

Our B & B near Durness.

Smoo Cave, Durness.

Sandwood Loch, adjacent to Sandwood Bay (one of the most remote beaches in Britain, 4 miles from the nearest road).

Sandwood Bay.

Loch Erribol.

Shetland Bike Ride

Lidster and I went to Shetland for a bike ride one day in April.

Leaving Aberdeen on the overnight ferry for Lerwick (Shetland).




After a sound night's sleep on the cinema floor, we were ready for our bike ride.

Lerwick in the morning.


At this precise moment Lidster is twice as close to the North Pole as he is to the equator (as the crow flies) (clue: click on the picture and look at the little yellow sign by the side of the road).


East coast of Shetland facing south.


Looking across the tombola to St Ninian's Isle.



South from St Ninian's Isle to Fitful Head.


On the ferry leaving Lerwick.


Lerwick and Bressay ferry.


Bressay ferry en route to Bressay.


Passing Sumburgh Head (southern extremity of Shetland).


Passing Fair Isle.