I was in dire need of an end to the working week. Scunnered is the word. I had a pass for an overnight but I couldn't be doing with the long drive or a night under the stars - my mind was in monkey-mind. Best to keep it local and do something non-technical. I decided to head to the Sma' Glen and take the bike with me. I parked up at Newton Bridge, and began the bike along Glen Almond. It was dry and warm so it wasn't long before I was generating a good sweat. I hadn't been down this way before so was enjoying the great Land Rover track in. I decided to take the bike as far as Dalriech but rather than leave the bike in the glen, I would ascend the lower slopes of the Corbett. Tough going but I reached a high enough point before it got really steep. It was as I ascended that the first shower came down the glen. Not unpleasant but it had been a long time since I'd been out in rain. Changed days.
I followed the track that wend its way up the hill and eventually started to get decent views North over Loch Tay to the Ben Lawers Munros. The apparent hump over some peat hags was my destination for the day - not particularly inspiring but once I got to the summit, I was happy to get another summit in the bag. The number of mountain hares was incredible, darting all over the place. I re-traced my steps back where I came and began to feel better as the showers died down and I began to dry off.
I had some nourishment back at the bike, donned the gear and began the cycle back out. I took 20 minutes off the return leg as it was mainly downhill - I hadn't appreciated how much ascent there was to the initial journey in. A couple of lovely ladies asked if I'd enjoyed my day and it was great to exchange pleasantries before the fairly short drive home. Always good to see a new bit of this great, wee country we live in.
