Life in Glencoe....

I haven't written a blog for while, it's not that I couldn't be bothered, just that I've been so busy. Here's a quick roundup:

I had booked tickets to see Spiritualized at the Royal Festival Hall in London a few months back and decided to take the Caledonian Sleeper to save time. The sleeper is fantastic, a great way to save time and money if you're lucky with the bargain berths. The gig itself was great, for anyone that knows them they played the whole of the "Ladies and Gentleman..." album, in it's entirety, complete with a half dozen each of string instruments, horns and gospel singers. I took the opportunity to visit Woolwich and Abbey Wood where my father grew up, visit the Imperial War Musem, the Tate Modern (see pic - is that really art?!!) and also took in a show.

I've also started to get up the Pap of Glencoe once every week or so and last week saw my quickest time so far. 54 minutes to the top (dog assisted) and 32 down. Next time I'll turn right at the col and head up Sgorr nam Fiannaidh for some extra exercise. The views weren't so good, it was chucking it down, but still great to be out. I've been round Loch Leven twice recently on the road bike. Davy Gunn at Crankitup Gear fitted a new rear cassette for me which gives me a better spread of gears, and most importantly a few lower ones. It's made a difference, I can spin faster now.

Work-wise we took the terrible plasterboard down from the ceiling in the hostel dining room and replaced it with new. Once the taping, plastering and coving is finished it'll look much better. We've got a Belgian walking group sitting in there right now, bottles of Strongbow(!) on the go and they seem to be enjoying it. Our drying room (top class if I say so myself) is proving popular this week too.

We've decided to stick with the caravans at the bottom of the site for next year and give them some much needed TLC. We'll close them down after this weekend, and revamp at least two of them for next year. Most of the vans will be getting at least new carpets and curtains, steam cleaned upholstery, some vinyl and a general spruce up. We may even stretch to some nice benches so you can sit out and enjoy the glorious views.

I'm really busy at the moment project managing a new website for Scottish Independent Hostels. We were awarded Visit Scotland Growth Funding to pay for part of it and we're aiming to have a brand new site up and running for the tail end of the year. There should be a few press releases going out over the coming weeks/months with some more info.

On a completely different note the Aonach Eagach claimed another Mountain Rescue last night, more info here. I was talking to one of the groups that passed them early yesterday and although I can't talk about this incident specifically (as I don't know anything else about it), it really highlights the need to be prepared and be realistic about your skills and experience before heading out on ANY hill.

The Mountain Rescue teams do a fantastic job, and they are all unpaid volunteers. The Clachaig Inn have set up a scheme whereby you can contribute just by shopping - more info on their blog here.

And that's a good note on which to end - take care and if you do get out and about be careful!