Invergarry Lodge

Archive for 2009

Great Glen Skiing

Invergarry is fast becoming one of the best winter snow sport destinations in Scotland, if it’s not sledging, having a snow ball fight or making snowmen, it’s skiing the Great Glen Way. I made it up to the local viewpoint but couldn’t see much because of the snow.

Ever seen a dog on a ski slope? No, you know why? Because they (or at least Dylan) are a massive pain in the neck when it comes to skiing. He just about got used to me skinning up the hill but when I took the skins off and set off down the hill he just couldn’t comprehend what was happening and kept trying to jump on top of them and eat them, still he wasn’t good the first time we took him running either.

I’m sure he’ll get the hang of it next time. All was good apart from as I was walking the 500 metres to the bottom of the hill, along a not very snowy, ploughed and gritted road with my skis on my shoulder, first my neighbour Jimmy came past and looked at me like I was from another planet, I then bumped in to Colin from the bowls team who also couldn’t believe that I was going skiing.

I was on my own so couldn’t get a photo of myself but so you know – I looked the business, orange skis, orange boots, grey trousers, orange jacket, grey hat (thanks mum), I even had orange logos on my gloves… I looked like one of those super coordinated aging french super skiers that whip past you in the alps whilst blowing smoke in your face that look like they are wearing the same gear they bought in the 80’s. Cool.

Happy New Year (again)

–Matt

A Seasonal Ski Tour Adventure

My brother Mark and his family have come up for Hogmanay and we managed to get permission from the wives for a morning out as long as we were back by lunch time to look after the kids. My brother thinks he’s some sort of ski touring demon so after an alpine start (7.30 am) we headed down to Fersit to tackle the two Munros to the south east which Mark reckoned wouldn’t take too long.

I think he only does all this ski touring and ice climbing business so he can look cool in car parks, I got a example of this this morning as we met half a dozen walkers which he impressed before they set off up the neighbouring hills.

After some basic hints and tips from big brother and him trying to tell me you have to shout “lock and load” (he doesn’t get out much) we were off.

We made steady progress up to about 750 metres by which time gale force winds and thick fog and dangerous hoar frost conditions and the impending wrath of two wives and three kids we decided to head back down to civilisation and a lovingly prepared lunch – is anyone else still eating turkey?

Good fun, shame the weather wasn’t better and the “pass out” for a few more hours, maybe I’ll start taking the dog for ski tours instead of walks.

Happy new year.

–Matt

New marketing campaign launched!!

Advertising space available to rent, please send enquiries to mail@invergarrylodge.co.uk marked for the attention of Alby.

–Matt

Crafts ahoy!

We’ve not been up to much since the wee man was born 23 days ago, but we did manage to host a stall at the local craft fair along with our friends Crafty Helen and Winky Lisa and with craft contributions from Alby’s Granny and Great Granny – East Yorkshires’ finest knitters and Ranger Dave.

As you can see from the photo below we had an excellent looking stall but think it’s fair to say we can’t afford to give up our day jobs and make a living solely from craft fairs – we spent most of our profits on refreshments at the cafe.

Alby was without doubt the biggest hit of the day, we really should have been charging for cuddles!

–Matt

New member for Team Invergarry Lodge

As Helen mentioned in her guest blog, we were away having a baby last week, which explains why the Blog has been getting quieter and quieter over the last few months as Jen got more and more pregnant and my DIY list got longer and longer. Anyway, the son and heir to the Invergarry Lodge estate was born last Wednesday, Alby George, weighing a healthy 7 lbs 11.

He’s been pretty well behaved so far, as has Dylan, Helen must have had some strong words with him before we came home. Unfortunately, Alby seems to take after both his mum and his dad and isn’t very photogenic, he’s a little bit cuter in real life – honest. We’ll try not to turn the blog into a baby blog, don’t want both our readers to get bored but I’m sure you’ll see a bit more of him as time goes on.

How old do you think he needs to be before we can get him changing beds?

–Matt, potential father of the year 2010 .

Hostel Sitter Extraordinaire! **Guest Blog**

I don’t know, matt and jenny are off having a baby, and I’m left here in charge of the wildest dog in the west… Yes I’m the hostel sitter, dog, cat and chicken sitter for however long it may be. As I write this I’m just shy of 24 hours in charge. It’s all going well tho, my hostel guests are all lovely and looking after themselves. The hostel is nice and roomy and I’ve seen all the rooms bar one, explored all the nooks and crannies myself, and as an occasional hosteller I think it must rank as one of the best in Scotland. Its got lots of space to relax and a lovely friendly atmosphere. My guests at the moment are all here for some hills, I’m looking forward to asking them where they’ve been today!

Dylan the monster dog is who I’m really here to look after, and he has been very well behaved all things considered. My list of things he’s chewed so far is much smaller than I expected it would be…. He’s been tormenting me by going for the hall rug whenever he’s bored. Unfortunately he seems to devour doggie chews in a matter of seconds, so I am saving the last one for an emergency…. Worst offence so far is that somehow he chewed through his lead. I’m not sure how I’m going to explain their dog on a string to matt and jenny when they get back….but really he’s been very good, and at the moment would you believe is sound asleep… I daren’t move….

This morning all the hostellers have been asking about the baby- not yet I’ve said… When walking the dog a fellow Invergarry bowler saw me and asked too. Nope, not yet…. Hopefully, we all -and more importantly Matt and jenny!-, won’t have too much longer to wait!

Helen
(The best caketopper in the land)

Witches trail ‘09

Rich’s first visit to the Witches trail at the Nevis Range at Fort William…apologies if video is slow to load…

Salmon Fishing on the Garry **Guest Blog**

Glenfinnan/Corryhully Horseshoe

I managed to escape the hostel duties for a few hours today for a quick trip round the Glenfinnan Horseshoe, a steep and rugged circuit taking in two fine Munros, Sgurr Thuilm and Sgurr nan Coireachan.
The approach is on a private tarmac road so a bike comes in very handy for much of it. Then it’s a steep (and quite boggy) slog up to the 600m mark where it eases towards the summit (963m) and gives great views across to Ben Nevis.

Then across the ridge, over four minor summits to Sgurr nan Coireachan which although slightly lower at 956 m provides great views across to the Outer Hebrides, Skye and Knoydart. It took some effort to pull myself away from the views and head back down to the bike and Glenfinnan.

–Matt

A Snowy North Shiel Ridge

I’d been given a half day pass out for good behaviour (I’ve decorated one of the bathrooms in the hostel) and what with the recent dusting of snow I’d spied on the tops on Sunday there was nothing else for it but an early start.

I pulled up in glen shiel a little before 6am and things were looking promising. The sky was clear and lit up by a full moon, I set off up the Allt Coire Tholl without even needing my headtorch. By the time I was approaching the south east ridge of Sgurr An Fhuarail, however, the sky had clouded over and light rain was following me up the hillside. I kept skirting further and further eastwards in an attempt to catch the sunrise at the other end of the glen, but unfortunately luck was not with me today – cloud was!

Despite this the ridge did offer some atmospheric views across to Ciste Dhubh, A’chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-Choire as the cloud danced around their summits.

I followed the narrowing ridge over Sgurr An Fhuarail and then made my way onto the snow-covered summit plateau of Aonach Meadhoin, which despite its cloud covering had a real wintry feel to it. I hung around for a while hoping the cloud would clear but I soon got rather chilly so decided to head off towards Sgurr A’Bhealaich Dheirg, the next Munro on the ridge. Again the ridge started to narrow and I enjoyed a few short scrambly sections before starting on the long slog up to the summit, accompanied all the way by a soundtrack of rutting stags. The summit cairn actually lies beyond an easy but exposed ridge, made more interesting by a good smattering of snow. As I sat eating my sandwiches (cheese, sausage and redcurrant jelly if you’re interested!) I was treated to a few glimpses of the summits I’d covered earlier on as they poked through the thick cloud.

Back on the main ridge I continued westwards, dropping sharply out of the cloud before tackling another short scramble leading to the bealach. Onwards and upwards I went, up the grassy slopes of Saileag for a well-earned rest at the rather pathetic summit cairn and another sandwich. The early start was starting to catch up with me, so I took a breather here for a while before backtracking down over Sgurr a’ Bhealaich Dheirg and forking south down the broad ridge to Meall a’ Charra. I was soon back at the van and made it back home in time for lunch!

–Matt