Cluanie 1986

First edition  Published for the CUYHA OLDIES by  COLEMAN, KNACKERED and NEVER AGAIN  Publishing Company  CAMBRIDGE - LANCASTER - LONDON 1986

Blow by blow list of log entries

After a tough day in the rat race I battled my way through the crowds finally reaching Euston. Standing in the queue for Platform 12 and the Lancaster train, I was buried in the Guardian when I saw a

Started out at 8.30am with a lift in Mummy's car to Aylesbury. Got to Banbury (hitchin') by 9.

There was no steam as when Jenny Agutter waited for her dad to appear from the train in the Railway Children - but

For some the trip began a week early, with two "pleasurable" trips to Sainsburys in the same day. Another during the week produced a large supply of food before the main shopping on Friday. All packed in boxes it looked like enough to feed an army - which was fortunate - it had to. 

We were ready to roll at about 10.30am. But the minibus was a bit reluctant, so it seemed. We tried to bump start it, but

I wanted to go for a walk to the pub but Tim drove me to Dornie Castle instead. After a bad start to the day I decided to seek consolation with Amanda, Andrea, Jane, Tim and Malcolm. We were at sea level

This is not a game that many people can play in their parents homes, terraces,. paper-thin semis or whatever grandiose lodgings they might live in. But Cluanie lodge with its three floors, myriad rooms, enhanced for the game by the total lack of light

Jane, Andrea, Louise and me wot's writing this, set off from the lodge with the others (who shall remain nameless, cos' I can't remember who they were and one 4-legged furry friend. It was decided to follow the old military road in the other direction from those infamously holey pot-holes we've all come to know so well.

Despite the intents of a prompter-than-yesterday start, even the first people up only staggered to the kitchen at nine. However, the bell was rung to summon the slumberers, and soon a mass of people were digging into

Here was the challenge - a hastily scrambled sketch-map showing a possible route to the summit of the mysterious "Ben's Loins" - a majestic, soaring pinnacle, admired by many, but as yet, ascended by none.

(Photo from 1986, but not of Carn Mor Dearg arete). Mark, Tim, Sarah and I were deposited from the minibus by a golf course a few miles short of Fort William. A rather inauspicious start to what was to become

After a short distance we bumped into lain and Phil, who'd been held up a bit (see their account). We reassured them that they didn't have far to go. Jane was bringing up the rear and looked very tired

Choosing not to do Ben Nevis I set off first on a superb journey down Glen Shiel, Mam Ratagan and down to the sea at Glenelg. The sea was deepest blue and the Cuillin's were white, not red or black!

I was really partaking of the highland life to the fullest. I had some toast and sat in front of the fire and read my company law notes. I thought and to d about the case of Saleman v Saleman which established the principle of the company as a legal person.

Tim, Sarah, Mark and Ian had already decided on their line of attack on the Ben. Amanda, Jane and Phil had their arms twisted by lain to tackle the ascent by the tourist route. Tuesday brought with it the most glorious whether of the trip so far with brilliant blue skies with hardly a cloud in sight.

Travelled out to Inverness, hoped to see Nessie but no luck, seems she's on vacation, probably gone to some warm waters in the Pacific. Inverness is guite a large city, people everywhere.

These people went to the minibus, with cries of "what do we want, Sarah Kirkpatrick and what do we get, Tim Minshull!"

After all the previous days adventures no one felt like an early start. It had been decided that Jane should be collected in the comfort of a car, so my day was pre-determined. lain felt an obligation to come too, and offered to look after Lizzie while Louise and I went for a walk.. 

What a choice! No Munros, or one on Skye, or seven in Glen Sheil. Feeling superfit only four of us were unable to resist the challenge, and their early start for Skye (except Louise) became our even earlier start to the bottom of Glen Shiel.

We let lan drive again having recovered from last time. Thankfully there were no rocks in the road. (Sorry Ian). When we got to Kyle of Lochalsh Janet led a shopping expedition while me and Ian loped off to

Scotland? Ah yes, I remember Scotland. Last time I was there, must have been a good 25 days ago, but there are somethings I'11 never forget. Like the day spent on that big mountain - what's it called -er, Ben something - Ben Craven?

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Off we all went in a large group. It wasn't always going to be so large. In fact, over breakfast, all I knew I was going to do was try and teach Andrea how to use an ice-axe (about time), thus quickly explaining why I was to carry two ice-axes all day.

My bed and food bowl were packed in a bag - which was perturbing to say the least - then I was taken in a car to a place with lots of people. Some of them had big bags, so I guess they all brought their beds and bowls too.

One Duck, Two Laughing Geese, ...

Grapefruit. Pork Chops with Honey sauce and White

Archie, Andrea, etc

As noted in the log, Andrea went straight from Cluanie to a (successful) job interview at Patterdale Youth Hostel. David and Louise went directly to