The Ochils Mountaineering Club

Now that the summer holidays are nearly over (apart from mine :0) that is) I thought I would provide an update on our annual club dinner arrangements.

For those wishing to book for the dinner dance only (and not stay at the hotel) I will start taking money and bookings as of tomorrow 6th August at the club. The cost is £20.

As of today 10 doubles and 1 twin room has been booked for the Saturday night. That leaves available 3 twins, 1 family (1 double bed & 2 singles) and 11 doubles. Of the 11 doubles only 1 superior is left (which I believe can be a twin) so don't delay in booking if you want the best.

Please give this some thought and get booked up if you would like to attend. I'll post an up in the next couple of weeks and will be down at club to promote this event.

Thanks J

All

Please could everyone give some thought as to whether you will be attending the club dinner or not. The hotel has kindly agreed to reserve all rooms for us up to two weeks before so i would like to encourage all members to book their rooms soon. Booking for the dinner dance only is done through me. Thanks J

Jean Y and I are booked and looking forward to a great weekend. The hotel looks fantastic. I second Jackie's message about getting booked up sooner rather than later.

Jean

All

Latest numbers quoted from the hotel are 53 staying and 4 dinner dance only so looks like there could be 57 of us. The two room left have now been open up to joe public. If there is anyone else for the dinner dance only could you let me know by tomorrow. People for the DD only can pay the hotel their £20. Thanks J

Sorry meant say -

Dinner will be 7.30pm so be down at the bar dinning room for drinks no later than 7pm. The band will start between 8.45pm and 9pm. Last orders are at 12.45pm. The band have asked if they can perhaps do some filming for their promotional video. Anyone any objections? There might be some good footage for the club archive!! J

I am jealous I am not heading up tonight anybody stopping for a hill walk on way up tomorrow I would be interested Bob not interested so I will either drive and Bob cadge a lift or vice versa my ph no 01786 850328

I'm probably leaving about 10.30/11 ish, i can pick up if required? 0774 330 6196.
Bob...mind yer wallet.

Hi

Many thanks to jackie for organising this do t'was most enjoyable. Hope no one caught my snotters!

Nigel

All

I would like to thank all who supported the club dinner this year. I hope you all enjoyed yourself as much as I did. Thought the hotel, location, food and music were excellent. I think a bit more ceildh would have been good and have taken that on board for next year. Video to follow shortly. All feedback good (or bad) welcome.

As for walking Chris Hockley and myself had a bit of an epic on Friday. We walked Sgorr Dhonuill & Sgorr Dhearg (Beinn a' Bheithir). A fantastic day but left the descend a wee bit late! However the sunset over the snow topped munroes and the crystal clear star filled sky was magic magnificient. On Saturday Chris & I set off again and did Am Bodach. Another great day with plenty snow about. Sunday, like a lot of others managed a stroll along the canal.

Thanks again. Jackie

A great dinner dance, Jackie. Well done. What a good time, and fair enjoyed the dancing!

As for walking... on Friday I took the bike, cycled up Gleann Fionnlighe, and did Gulvain. Plenty of snow up top and wall-to-wall sunshine, but a snell wind at times.

In the evening Jean Y and I spurned the soft comfort of the Moorings Bar, donned our witches attire and flew off to Aonach Mor on my broomstick (well, on the gondola, as the broomstick stubbornly refused all efforts to get it airborne.) Witch number three (Anne) joined us there, in the company of one of the Black Riders of Mordor (Frodo in disguise, Bruce). As Jean remarked, the little kids were giving us some pretty suspicious looks as we sat eating our dinner - none of their parents had dressed up, so maybe we were real witches! We even scared each other. We trecked out to the 'bonfire' before returning to the Moorings

On Saturday, the bike was out again (broomstick relegated to car boot following discovery of its useless flight potential) and Jo, Greg and I cycled up Glen Finnan and did the Corryhully horseshoe. A great day. Not a lot of sun, but some fine views out to Rhum and Eigg etc.

Like Jackie, on Sunday Jean and I were in the canal group. In company with Mhairi and Ian, we managed to get as far as the Sheangain Burn Aqueduct, and so pass under the Caledonian Canal and return to Neptune's Staircase on the opposite towpath. Fantastic sunny day, and glorious reflections of boats, trees and hills on the water. Stunning view of the Ben, CMD and Aonach Mor.

Will try to post some pics (but don't hold your breath!)

Jean