The first hug and the Challenge Express
Over my last four Challenges I've grown accustomed to guilty feelings when I desert Adrian and the kids. But the dog is a new addition in the family. To her a big pack sitting in the hall means at least ten miles of moorland wanderings. She's wagging her tail in anticipation with an expectant look on her face. How do I explain to an adolescent border terrier that I'm off for a two week walk but she's not invited?
At Glasgow's Queen Street station Challenge friendships are being renewed and nervous first timers encouraged. In the station bar a significant number of vetters and legends are "educating" the less experienced. But my Challenge hasn't begun yet. The atmosphere is full of excited optimism but there's something missing, well more precisely someone missing. David Albon is here to wave us off although he's not able to be on the Challenge this year. He's become a good friend since our adventures on "Broon Bread Island" in 2006 but (sorry David!) he's not the one.
My eyes scan the ever increasing crowd. I'm getting worried. He's normally here by now. Then in the middle of the melee I see a slight figure with a grey beard, twinkling eyes and a gentle smile.
"Good to see you back again Ali," he says and offers me a reserved peck on the cheek and a gentle hug. My Challenge has officially started. Challenge organiser, Roger Smith, is here to wave us off. All is well in the world, and everything will be just fine.
Roger Smith at Queen's Street Station
The "Challenge Express" chugs slowly through increasingly stunning scenery under clear blue skies towards Mallaig. My pre-booked seat lands me opposite "legends" Bernie and Pauline Marshall and beside first timer Phil Dowrick who seems ever more enthused as the tales of past Challenges flow. Pauline produces a bottle of white wine and, well it would be rude to refuse . .
I watch eagerly for the Cobbler then Ben Lui, Beinn Dorain and Rannoch Moor. Pauline points out a good pitch at the head of Loch Trieg which may be useful in a few days before we descend to the impressive gorge of the River Spean. The water is reassuringly low. A pause in Fort William where many Challenge disembark to catch the Shiel Bridge bus and we're off again. The train winds through steep rocky hills. I look to their summits. There is, thankfully, precious little snow on these westerly hills. The warm weather of the last few days has done us a big favour after such a cold snowy spring.
Evening Sun on Loch Ailort
It's a wonderful balmy evening. The air is warm, the sky still cloudless and there's barely a breath of wind. Sue Oxley and I wander down to the sea loch to perform the Challenge rituals, dipping our toes in the Atlantic and selecting a small pebble for transportation to the North Sea.
"It's been like this the day before all of my Challenges," I say, "but on the last three the clouds come down by morning. It won't last!"