Merry Christmas
The next couple of days are going to be frantic with family commitments - I have two little granddaughters who deserve some extra attention at this time of the year and I’m not too sure what road travel will be like - we have about a foot of snow here in Newtonmore in the Scottish Highlands and it looks absolutely superb, particularly with the Christmas lights in the houses adding a festive atmosphere to it all.
I’m hoping the conditions stay like this for a bit - I’m planning a two-day backpacking trip on Saturday and Sunday along a route that I take every year at this time. The past two years have been glorious with clear skies, a big moon to give enough light to walk by and sub-freezing temperatures - ideal backpacking conditions. It’s a great time of the year to escape from the Christmas festivities and prepare for the next bout of festivities next week!
On that note can I take the opportunity of wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. In many, many ways we live in dark and depressing times but the great outdoors never fail to offer some sanity and a return to something very worthwhile, even if it’s only to remember that the natural world is where we come from and where we shall return someday, despite what happens to us in between.
PS Hope you all enjoy The Skye Trail on Sunday evening at 6.45pm BBC Scotland (Sky Channel 990)
Photo Cap: Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie