31 Dec 2010 – 3 Jan 2011
Fifteen members and guests attended the Moray Mountaineering Club’s Hogmanay celebrations in Kinlochleven. The party started with a three course meal. The cooking duties were shared the whole weekend and whether it was a salmon starter, cheese platter, curry, pudding or fine wine, the quality would have made Gordon Ramsey proud and the quantity would have impressed even John Prescott! Once dinner was over, the music started…Illona Morrice, Jake Lee, Andy Brooks and Fiona Duncan all demonstrated their musical skills. The rest of us watched, listened and sipped our orange juice.
New year’s day dawned slightly “foggy” and so the day’s adventures commenced sometime after dawn. Several parties, including Claire Proctor, Natasha Lilly, Alison Harding, Jenny Smith, Andy, Daniel Moysey, Illona, Graeme Henderson, Evelyn Droege and Ella Grant did a round trip to the Blackwater Dam (which as we all now know is female). Drummond Beattie, Fiona and Jake went to the dam and then on to Glas Bheinn and back to Kinlochleven sometime after sunset.
After another night of excess food and drink, everyone was keen for another day in the hills. Richard Knak and Sheila Patel did a circular walk taking in Loch Eilde Mor. Claire, Jenny and Natasha donned crampons and wielded ice axes for the first time on the steep slopes of Sgurr Eilde Mor. Together with Dan, Graham and Illona everyone made it to the summit (and back). The return journey crossed a frozen lochan at the foot of the mountain. Once safely across, Dan and Graeme bashed a hole that confirmed the ice was at least 30cm thick! At this point Fiona and Drummond, who had also climbed Sgurr Eilde Mor, caught up.
This is obviously just a snapshot of some of the adventures and antics from the weekend. If you were there then I don’t need to tell you that it was great fun; if not then get your name down next year! The only thing left is Jake’s poem:
YOU REALLY HAD TO BE THERE
The Moray Club came full of cheer
For to celebrate, the coming year
They brought their boots, their axes and sticks
They brought all manner of complex outdoor bits.
They brought their hopes, their wishes their fears
But mainly they brought their whiskeys wines and beers
Meals were shared in their home from home
As under weight of food, the table groaned.
The old Year went, the New came in
Fiona’s lantern sank ignominiously in to the bin.
Andy sang, he roared and played
Such musical virtuosity is seldom displayed.
Illona also delighted with a lilting croon
(And unlike Andy, she was mainly in tune).
Dan, who resembles ‘Tigger’ it’s been said
Went at our feasts like a beast seldom fed,
His appetite – an absolute travesty
Almost caused a New Year tragedy
As Evelyn in a snooze (by Stollen bread and brandy beaten)
Thankfully awoke just before by ‘Tigger’, she was eaten.
Drummond with hills, food and booze was sated
Ella – as ever – for Drummond, waited.
Sheila was brash, Sheila was bold
Graeme her kitchen hand, just did as he was told.
Allison giggled and played, making merry
Which was more sociable than Graeme who just watched the telly.
Richard who arrived late – poor fellow had been feeling ill
Wisely chose the company of pals over any potion or pill.
Jenny Clare and Natasha betrayed their youth
By being at all times; polite, sober and couth.
They did however make amends by being nice
And performing heroic deeds on steep slopes of ice.
What a party, we sang we even danced
And into the hills we nimbly pranced
We enter 2011 in prime condition
THREE CHEERS TO US AND THE MMC NEW YEAR TRADITION!!!
Dan Moysey
For more photos from this meet, click here