Ten members- new and old- arrived at Manse Barn; a hut new to most of them. It is more “traditional” than most huts and we crowded in.
It only rained once on Saturday-all day. Undaunted, everybody achieved multifarious summits. Views were restricted to the back of the person in front; but also wildlife delights of eagles, a fox, a mouse and ptarmigan in winter plumage and consequently very easy to spot. Don’t try to repeat our walks as the hills will be dissolved away.
Some people who were at Barrisdale were still unsure about their gear and so they enjoyed another gear testing weekend. This new experiment confirmed that everyone’s underpants soaked up water like a sponge. It is suggested that the next weekend subjects will try out wetsuits or birthday suits.
Peter’s survival tip, which comes from good authority of Hamish Brown, is that if you cross a river in your bare feet, then pee on your feet afterwards to warm them up. Volunteers are requested! We decorated the hut with Christmas decorations with a difference: wet waterproofs, sodden rucksacks and mouse proof carrier bags, behind which lurked the microwave and fridge. The evening was enlivened with a delightful, free, microwaved sponge cake with strawberry ja m (7% real strawbeeies), made with very tasty with hydrogenated vegetable and fish oil which prevented Elizabeth from having any.
On Sunday morning, it was noticed that several club members were dressed in jeans and a jumper as if simply slinking off home to Inverness. Perhaps they were going to the climbing wall or for a game of golf. They were probably the only dry clothes they had!
A Group Effort.
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