Fry up at Ballinluig – so started my annual outing with GGC – John McP, Garrey, Rosi & I set off for Geall Charn (Drumochter) – poor visibility at cairn but the old man wasn’t convinced – a momentary clearing revealed true top a bit further on – the young tigers were impressed.

The hostel was comfortable enough if you could cope with the garish lighting & lurid wallpaper. Fortunately the latter was covered by hundreds of signs declaring what to do, what not to do & how not to do it. Henry resolved the visual pollution by building a magnificent roaring bonfire thereby creating a focal point for the weekend.

Saturday dawned wet, windy & wild. After a quick visit to the Funicular & Glenmore Lodge, McP & I headed downtown Aviemore where our proposed shoplifting spree was thwarted on meeting McDaid & his harem/seraglio of Ruth, Phyllis and Maddy. We agreed to join them on a stroll round Loch an Eilein greatly encouraged by a mapless McDaid who assured us that if we kept the loch on our left hand side we couldn’t get lost. He was later heard, in wistful mode, to comment "Ah – Harken – Tis the mating call of the Greater Spotted Lemon Tailed Canadian Grebe – I never thought I’d hear it again" Sagely/wisely we all nodded approval, albeit thinking it was just a tad early in the season for this rare specimen to be visiting our shores – No! I don’t mean McDaid.

Meanwhile Garrey & Rosi had gone white water running, Connie & Elspeth were visiting friends for coffee while 3 Dave’s, 1 Jimmy & a Liz ticked off 2 Carn Dearg's above Turret Bridge. On a day of fierce gales they claimed no wind on either summit (indeed perfect calm) thereby obviating the need of the bivi sac carried (ticked on route card) whilst omitting all other normal hill tools for this time of year (left unticked on route card). A strong party consisting of Mary C, Monica, Dave & Isobel, Henry, Janet, Hugh & Les Stuart topped out Geall Charn (Garva Bridge). Alan & Caroline, Harrold & singing Dave did Creag Liath while Alice & her Dave claimed Creag Pitrich (& possibly 2 other hills). John Donnelly’s intrepid team of Gordon, Arthur, Tim & Gill went Christmas shopping in Santa Ville – they did, however, claim an ascent of Geall Charn Mor beforehand. As a distraction from all this frenzied mountain activity, Liz, later that evening, made my weekend by presenting me with a handwipe after some sticky dips – you had to be there – ask Liz.

Sunday did what Saturday didn’t & dawned better than fine. In much improved conditions Carn an Fhreiceadain was visited by 2 teams, the first consisting of Liz, Monica & Janet & the second of Gordon, Sue, Cora & Eilidh.

Dave H, Alice & Phyllis went for Carn na Caim & A’Bhuidheanach Bheag – this route being reversed by Garrey, Rosi, Mary C, Dave Broadfoot & singing Dave. I understand Mary had car problems afterwards & did not get home till after midnight. Alan, Caroline & Elspeth tackled Cruban Beag diretissimmo & a Corbett near the Sow of Atholl was done by Arthur, Gill & John D.

McDaid's somewhat depleted harem/seraglio of Ruth & Maddy tackled Geall Charn Mor & Tim & Hugh visited the Meagaidh range- Carn Liath, Coire A Chriochair & Stob Poite Coire Ardair, exiting via the window. Dave R, David F & Jimmy S did the Glen Roy Carn Dearg’s, thus collecting 3 Carn Dearg’s in 2 days. Joining McP, Henry, Dave & Isobel - I had a fine day on Meall Chuaich, the day culminating in the hospitality of Dave’s van.

A fine turnout at Newtonmore & lots achieved. The Sons & Daughters of the frontier done good.

Denis