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McStecko · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 294 Location: Crieff

You'll have seen my e-mail asking for some indication of commitment around this weekend.

The objective of the weekend is to get a good bunch of us, hopefully between 10 and 20, to spend a couple of days away running in spectacular scenery, eating and drinking (as usual when 2 or more harriers are present) and perhaps a bit of sightseeing, or other type of excursions according to interest.

We would tailor the routes according to who was planning to go. For example George tells me he prefers them flatter and shortish while I quite fancy trying my luck with some of the attractive local Fannaichs (http://munro-madness.com/region/the-fannaichs) which I'm told are worth taking a pop at. But don't worry we're definitely open to suggestions and will make sure there'll be runs to suit everyone...

We're exploring options for accommodation ranging from a nice hotel at approx £40 per person per night B&B to a bunkhouse at £15/night. We'll also look at self catering options which could also work. On Saturday night we're thinking about http://www.theseaforth.com/ for dinner.

We felt May would be a good time because it should be fairly midge free and we should stand a reasonable chance of some decent weather...

So come on: pencil in those dates and let me or George know that you're planning on coming. Then we can get on with getting the arrangements sorted out...

Tanconsult · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject:

Judith and I are definitely OK to come. We normally use our trailer tent for Foreign Visits but if you can get some reasonable accommodation where we can all stay, we're happy to join in. Our only proviso is that we have a bedroom to ourselves (write your own joke here). We're assuming dogs are not invited so we'll let Joka know he has the house to himself on condition he doesn't throw wild parties. More likely he'll be ruinously indulged by someone else for the duration.

On the run front, I see from the map that there's a good route for the Old & Slow along Glen Achall. After a modest 4km climb, it looks pretty flat for best part of the next 10km. For the fittest (safely excludes me, of course), how about a run from the carpark on the A835 up to the summit of Cul Mor (and return via a little jaunt around Stac Pollaidh if one-way transport can be organised)? There are also a few shorter but hillier routes if that's attractive so I'd say plenty to go at for a weekend - even for the O&S Club members.

On sightseeing, for anyone who doesn't know the area, the Achiltibuie coast and the Summer Isles are beautiful (run there from Ullapool if you're mad, walk if you've all day or drive if neither). The Hydroponicum is worth seeing if you've any interest in seeing stuff grown without soil. Or seeing a banana tree at a ridiculously northern latitude (OK, it is indoors). For rich epicureans (or if someone else is paying), eat at the Summer Isles Hotel, if not this visit then sometime - it was brilliant but we can't speak very recently so don't curse us if it's now rubbish.

Looking forward to it already.

Very Happy

Colin

Tanconsult · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: For Campers & Campervanners

I've spoken to Mr Ross who runs Broomfield Holiday Park in Ullapool (map reference NH125938). The site opens at Easter and he says the whole of May is quiet enough for campers and campervanners just to turn up without booking. In passing, he doesn't take bookings for single units if anyone has thoughts of going some other time as well. Belt & Braces, I've replied to Phil's email of last Thursday as well.

Very Happy

Colin

Tanconsult · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

I said in an earlier post that we assumed dogs weren't invited but now we wonder. Any views from dog owners and others?

Very Happy

Colin

Liz · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 173

I certainly have no objections to dogs coming, i'm sure they'll be better behaved than the children and probably the adults come to that! Shocked

wendy · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 74 Location: crieff

I am hoping that Lawrence will join me on this trip. If so and because there is no way I could run all day we also plan to take our mtb's so that Lawrence can get a good workout too. (It’ll be less than 7 days to the Etape Caledonia so we'll be pedalling quite far I imagine...)
If we are both coming, and depending on Murphy's health, the pooch will be with us.
Here’s hoping for good weather, but we have good waterproofs. No matter what the company will be great Laughing

(Few problems with campervan so it may be alternative accommodation or tent but no worries there)
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Smile

McStecko · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 294 Location: Crieff

Wendy,

If you both are going do you think there could be an opportunity for some climbing too? No idea if there are suitable crags but I'm sure there would be some takers if you were up for it...

Tanconsult · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

Looks like Joka will be getting a trip to the seaside after all.

We're bringing the awning for the trailer tent so our place will be big enough for any interested folk to gather and eat, drink or whatever if the weather's unkind (or even if it's not). If the weather's worth it, we might head up that way a day or so earlier. If we are at the camp site first, we'll see if there's any location where we can congregate to advantage. As folk arrive, they can then decide if it's worth being cheek by jowl in an SH area or better scattered around the 11 acres.

On the climbing thingy, I'm no expert but my vague-ish memories of Stac Pollaidh makes me wonder about that bit of rock. I don't know the area immediately around Ullapool but how about the crags near Beinn Giuthais (NH129963)? Looks like there's an access track past the broadcast (TV?) mast that runs round the base of the crags there. Anyway, could be fun and a nice addition to the running, walking, cycling weekend. BUT W&L, no pressure!!

Very Happy

Colin

kaznicholl · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 239

I'd be up for climbing, providing my feet have healed after the fling. Shall pack my kit.

Kaz

McStecko · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 294 Location: Crieff

Just wanted to get a sense of people's hopes and expectations for the running over the weekend then George and I can get our heads together to plan some routes.

My guess is that overall preferences would fall into 4 categories:

1. Up to 10 miles, flattish, off road/on tracks - c 2 hours
2. As for 1 but maybe a bit longer with a bit of a climb involved - say up to 18 miles c 3 hours
3. 3-4 hour hill run maybe bagging 1-2 Munros en route
4. up to 6 hour hill run bagging 3-4 Munros

For the Saturday run, perhaps those in categories 1 and 2 could set off reasonably early (9ish) with those in cats 3 and 4 on child entertaining duty or other worthy pursuits.

On the return of cat 1 around 11.30ish, cats 3 and 4 would then head off returning somewhere between 4.30 and 6.30pm in time for a wash and brush up before dinner.

On the Sunday we could try to find a route that everyone would be able to do together perhaps with an extra loop or hill for those that want them. The aim would be that whatever extra twiddly bits we add on, we all meet up for lunch before heading south again.

Let us know what you all think of this suggestion and if you fall into one of the four suggested categories or one that's entirely different...