There really is nothing I enjoy more than climbing on things.
While I see no problem with my penchant for ascending to the back of the sofa, or pioneering a new route via the chair and onto the writing desk, my human Gail seems to think that my urge for height is an instinct that needs to be "channelled". (Especially now she is down to her last unchewed pen...)
In Scotland we have 282 mountains over the height of 3000 ft and they are known as Munros, after Sir Hugh Munro who first catalogued them back in 1891. Climbing these hills is popularly known as 'Munro bagging' and Gail declared this weekend that she considers me now to be "Munro ready".
She came to this conclusion after a wintery walk around Loch Kinord on Saturday.
We took a small diversion to visit 'Burn O'Vat', a dramatic water-scoured glacial feature accessed by clambering over boulders and through a narrow gap in the rock.
Apparently my predecessor Bouncing Bertie was so frightened by this entrance he had, like the child in the picture below, to be carried in*.
Of course, I hardly need tell you, I was totally unfazed and nearly pulled Gail over on the wet slippery rocks in my eagerness to explore this fascinating natural landmark.
So, with rock climbing credentials verified, Munros it is, this summer. But which one of the 282 to tackle first? Perhaps some of my readers might like to peruse this link and make a suggestion. Although I've been warned in advance that Gail is absolutely on no account prepared to take me up the Inn Pinn...
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| The Inacessible Pinnacle on Skye - photo from Guardian website |
*Gail says: Bertie was too embarrassed to record this episode in his blog!
Oh my, Nobby, I think you're more than ready to bag a Munro or two.
ReplyDeleteI can see why Bertie would have been cautious, but what a beauty Burn O' Vat is.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby, if Gail wishes to test you out at altitude, without too much concern for losing you behind rocks or over ledges, Tom Buidhe is a relatively 'tame' slope for a first bag. Then again, if taking the first timer on at Torridon, I guess it would just have to be Beinn Aligin, to honour Bertie... hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Gail too is thinking one of the 'tamer', i.e. less craggy eastern Munros, such as Tom Buidhe, would be a good bet for first bag. She is thinking perhaps Mayar and Driesh from Glen Doll would be best as the walk in is shorter!
DeleteGoodness Nobby, you'll need to have a good head for heights! The Burn O'Vat looks like quite a tight squeeze, and I wouldn't like to try the Inn Pinn!
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to seeing your Munro climbing feats. I'll just content myself with counter surfing - if I'm not caught out before I manage to bag a tasty morsel!
Love,
Indy xx
we are not good with heights... we are more low lander ;o9 but we like the idea to train at home to be ready for the highest mountains ;O)
ReplyDeleteGoodness Nobby that looks like the sort of ravine my humans dragged me into from time to time in Greece (lots of ravines in their mountains). We can't wait to read about you bagging Munros. (That pinnacle would be no big deal for a (young) cat, not sure about humans and k9s tho.) Paw smacks Mr T
ReplyDeleteYou and Gail are very hearty adventurers but there is no way my mom could tackle the Inn Pinn, Nobby. The woman doesn't do heights!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had fun with your first rock climbing adventure. We looked at the list of Munros and saw there were a few in the Torridon region so maybe you could start there since it's close to your cottage. No matter what you decide we can't wait to hear all about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteHow wise of Gail to realize that you've simply been "in training" while she has mistakenly labeled it as "naughty" behavior. Able to comment again, may I offer very late birthday congratulations and that it's good to see you so quickly recovered from your recent "ordeal".
ReplyDeleteNobby - we think is is time for a name change (no more naughty and nice - makes it sound like you are waiting for Santa Claus). We thought on Intrepid Nobby but it doesn't have that alliterative ring to it, so we tried looking for synonyms - not much joy there - but see what you think: courageous
ReplyDeletefearless heroic plucky bold daring dauntless doughty game gritty gutsy
nerveless resolute undaunted unflinching valiant valorous. Any of these sound like you?
Gail thinks 'audacious' would be most appropriate - it contains the suggestion of mischief so essential to Nobby's character...
DeleteNOBBY we might be totally in awe and speechless today OMDS
ReplyDeleteAmazing the difference in two pups same breed but years apart.
I find a similar experience with Milky-Way our first cat..he was a thinker, quite, laid back never complained and always appreciative of everything.
Fast forward to Madison D. Cat's arrival March 2002. We expected all cats to be created equally. THEY are not. She was 360 different. Within 30 min of coming to her new home Madi had meowed more complaints/suggestions for improvement than Milk-Way meowed in 15 1/2 years. MOL MOL MOL
Little did we know we were in for a ride of our lives...and we loved every second with both kitties...well once we understood all cats are not created equally.
Hugs and may your WFT tail guide you up up and over
Cecilia
Wow Nobby, you are a natural climber and we can't wait to see ahd hear all about all the Munros you bag this Summer!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
I love to climb on furniture too. I like to get up on the back of the comfortable chairs. You are a true climber. You should be on top of Everest in a few days.
ReplyDeleteClimb on, Nobby! You've got what it takes!! You are an agile gymnast!
ReplyDeleteWe only do the hills that we find on our walkabouts in our village and environs!!
Those slippery rocks would give our Mom pause, but your Gail is quite the adventurous type! Very impressed with you both!
ReplyDelete