Return to Inverey
George Hamilton, 28-30 October 2016
It’s been said before and it’ll be said again, Fan Bl00dy Tastic, how else could you describe a weekend away with the Cairn Ban Mountaineering club? Some weekends are remembered for being wild and riotous, others for just being plain brilliant, good weather, brilliant walking and the company of some very special people. This weekend came into the category of the latter. There was no riotous behaviour, but the hillwalking, the weather and the bunkhouse were superb, not forgetting the brilliant company.
My first weekend trip with the Cairn Ban was a camping trip just outside Braemar with Campbell, Alan Forsyth and Kenny Lowe some 25 years ago, so returning to the area always brings fond memories. We’ve also stayed at the Muir of Invereye cottage a few times before, so returning, rekindled some great memories. From Ronnie doing an Irish jig on the kitchen table or Ronnie bringing along a cylinder of Helium to the weekend and Alan Forsyth nearly passing out whilst trying to sing Scotland the brave with a mickey mouse voice. Man cannot survive on Helium alone Alan, you have to take a breath of air sometime.
As I say I’ve been to this Bunkhouse a few times before and have memories of some great weekends, and this was no different, it was just fantastic to talk and listen, enjoying a glass of wine in front of a roaring wood burner hearing all about the summer adventures, Norway, Poland, Canada to mention just a few and to hear about trips that are being planned in the future. Not forgetting that day's walking trip, whilst Tom entertained us with his ukulele playing in the background.
It’s been a long time since I managed 4 munro’s in a day, but to get 6 new munro’s and 2 new tops in a weekend is just mind blowing for me, who’d have thought that with 25 years of walking behind me, I could still find a group of 6 still to do.
I have to admit the hills are only part of a weekend, what makes it special is the company that you’re in, from Campbell having a rant as we started on Saturday morning, you no longer can say that someone took a wobbler especially if they are slightly overweight, from Laura showing the correct route over a peat bog and hearing of her worries about a forthcoming expedition, to John having a rant about us not following the correct path, we’re all different and that is what makes it special.
Saturday’s weather was great, Sunday’s weather was just sublime. The Bunkhouse was fantastic, It’s in a brilliant location, well equipped, clean and warm. When asked this morning how his weekend had gone, Campbell replied “SUPERB, QUITE SIMPLY SUPERB”, sums it up quite nicely I think.
Cheers
George
