Some autumn corbetts ..

If the last two years at work had been harder than they should have been (suppose that is the nature of some projects sometimes), the last month has been seriously crap. The the worst of it in the rear view, a little hill sport was back on the cards. Sadly the weather forecast was trying to re-create the works scene with a messed up set of frontal systems, high winds and what the forecasters described as a "deep Atlantic low" all on the horizon. But as with most things, there were a couple of weather windows on the short range - the first was on the Thursday.

Having completed Section 0 of the Corbetts last month, it seemed appropriate to have a run over Meall Tairneachan & Farragon Hill in order to complete Section 2.

I got caught up in commuter traffic twice and after the three hour drive (it should only have taken about two), started on the hill a lot later than hoped. Leaving the Berlingo at the old Limekiln, it was simply a case of following the fence line then a wall towards the summit. After a quick nod to the trig point, I dropped down onto the mine road to make up time. Continued down the steep zig-zag section of the road to find the baryte mine VERY active indeed. Kinda interesting that I had sat a few days previous in awe of the rescue operation in Chile to get the trapped miners out and yet felt an element of anger at the damage done to a Scottish hillside by the Foss Mine - a very human reaction of "not in my backyard" but not a feeling I was entirely comfortable with. Very quickly, I was through the mine site and back onto open hillside (where I cursed the deep heather instead ....go figure). Had a bite to eat just below the summit of Farragon Hill and retraced my route back to the car. No sooner had I opened the hatchback and the weather window closed and the rain returned big style. Topped the day off with a visit to the Aberfeldy Distillery (where I treated myself to a new bottle) and a visit to the new Tiso shop at the Perth roundabout (where I made a narrow escape without making a unneccasry purchase)

The next spell of stable weather was on Sunday. After the previous drive up the A80 / A9, something a bit closer to home was in order. Section 1 showed an opportunity for a round of Ceann na Baintighearna & Stob a'Choin above Balquidder. Since I was still in Inov8s and there was snow on the tops, I opted for the winter combination of Injinji Toe Socks and my Seal Skinz waterproof socks. By the time I had crossed a few streams and climbed up through the forestry, my feet were wet ...but warm ! Found a wee patch of snow to kick around in ...first snow of the year is always nice. Another nod to the trig point then started the descent where I met a couple of hill shepherds and four insane collie dogs. Had a brief chat about dogs, sheep and weather with the guys confirming the belief that a hard winter lies ahead again this year. Descending down towards the forestry at the head of the Allt Sgionie, I came across a significant herd of deer. Couple of hinds sped off leaving an angry stag to roar towards me before heading off in chase of the now dispersed hinds. Sat listening to more roaring and another couple of stags facing each other off whilst I munched on a cheese and pickle roll. Nice wee run along the summit ridge before topping out and dropping down onto the steep slopes leading back down towards the glen again. Decided to cross the river above the bridge to give the fell shoes a bit of a clean before a jog back down to the car. Another top day out and the world felt a little more in balance again.