Just got back from a very enjoyable, but tiring holiday in Dalmally, Scotland. Just the three of us went me, Chris and Emily. Stewart stayed at home as he had been offered a couple of weeks work in Affleck's Palace, Manchester (he is a student and needs all the money he can get lol). We stayed in a gorgeous, cosy cottage in a little village, surrounded by the mountains, lochs and rivers of Scotland. Our main aim this holiday was to climb Ben Nevis, Chris has climbed it before two years ago but me and Emily gave up about 2/3 of the way up (it was the hottest day of the year and we thought we were going to die). Well this time we were determined not to give up and guess what we did it!!!!!! It was 17 degrees at the bottom and we were wearing shorts and t shirts, about half way up we had to put on our fleeces and then our coats. We got to the point where we gave up last time in about 1 and half hours (it took 3 last time). Towards the top we couldn't see where we were going as we were in the clouds and it was blowing a gale. Finally got to the summit in 5 hours. It was 6 degrees but the wind made it feel a lot colder. Had to put our hats and waterproof trousers on at this point but we had forgotten to pack our gloves. Purple hands all around. Then we had to get down again, which for me was a lot worse than going up, my knees started to pack in and I was in agony. Took another 4 hours to get down. I am glad I did it and the feeling you get when you know you have finally done something you have wanted to do for ages is great, but I won't be doing it again in a hurry. The rest of the week was a bit more gentle, we visited the sealife sanctuary and saw the rescued seal pups, we went to the most western point of the British Mainland, Sanna lighthouse and found the most gorgeous white sandy beach with loads of rockpools. It was a gorgeous sunny day although a bit windy. We did lots of local walks, visited Kilchurn castle, St Conan's Kirk, Inverary Castle, Oban and Fort William and lots more. I need another week off work to get over this holiday but unfortunately am back tomorrow.
