Middleton Mouse

My supposed female hamster has balls all of a sudden. It took me nearly two weeks to think of a cute girls name for her...him.......it.

Absolutely! Ben Venue is still one of the most enjoyable walks I've done so far but I also have a serious soft spot for the wonderful Ochil hills in the summer when they are gentle and green.

Getting to the Cobbler's true summit is a little tricky as it involves a bit of scrambling and exposure (wayhey). I did it not too long ago so if you browse through the last couple of pages of this thread you'll find my experience hidden away somewhere. My friend came up with me but despite being the more experienced of us she chose not to attempt the proper summit.

I thought the same, I watched it with my parents one night and didn't make it to the end.

Our trip up Ben Vorlich was an absolute disaster, didn't even make it up the first little hill due to a seriously upset stomach. Things were only ever going to get worse so we decided to leave it until another day (hopefully next Sunday). Looked like a really nice walk as well and we found the starting point without any bother. I hate days like this, you always end up looking back and thinking "Could we have made it?". Really really frustrated.

What way have you not tried the Cobbler from? I've been up via the stream/path and up the big stone staircase at the back of it. Hopefully I'll get Ben Vorlich done on Monday but there's still one more in that area I need to do then I'll start again on the Crianlarich and Tyndrum hills. Booked 2 weeks off in September for hill walking.

Ben Chonzie is one of the easiest munros you'll do but it stands alone in terms of munros. It's part of a long ridge and you could try walking further along the ridge than you need to but from what I've seen there's nothing next to it you could combine it with. Steven and me did it earlier this year and despite the ice and snow we made reasonably good time (think it took around 5 hours including loads of photo/playing in snow stops.

Thanks reynard is this the route that takes you over the "little hills" I take it? THis was the way I was hoping to go. Only got Ben Vorlich and Ben Bhuidhe to do in that area but the walk in for the last one is making me think I'd be better taking a mountain bike some of the way.

I got great views from Narnain when I went up but Ben Ime was covered in cloud when I tried that. Anyone else going out on Easter Monday? I never made it to Crianlarich the other week. Thinking of doing Benvane over Callander which is a corbett but quite a long walk from what I can see. Made a failed attempt to get up there last year. It's either that or Ben Vorlich over Loch Lomond.

Perth Tuesday, Fort William yesterday, Dundee today, Kinross tomorrow and Aberdeen all next week including finishing at 3.00pm in Fraserburgh. My wee car must be close to giving up the ghost. Will need to give Steven a crash course in looking after the pets that aren't coming with me. Oh yes and for the second time in a month I have a chest infection which is resulting in a major phlegm problem. No point going to the docs as I reckon all my bugs must be immune to antibiotics now. Wish someone would question why I keep getting these things rather than just throw pills at me.

Depends where you're thinking of going but perhaps! Busy on the 12th, 25th and 26th though

Thanks Gaz, looking forward to them but hope the weather stays fair.

Ben Vane was horrible from the main route, I'm glad I won't ever have to do it again. Think it's definately An Caisteal and Ben A'Chroin next week. Just waiting on confirmation regarding who's coming with us. Anyone from here's welcome to come too but you'd likely leave me trailing.

Eh! No the cricket managed to get downstairs into the kitchen.

I did Ben Ime from the Cobbler path and it was pretty easy going that way, haven't tried the other path but my friend has and she reckons it's steeper but more direct. I'm thinking of heading up to Crianarich or Tyndrum next week to do something. Thinking of doing An Caisteal and Ben A'Chroin. Anyone been up these two before and how long did it take?

Dont want to risk losing a toad under the fridge.

They eat crickets. Duh

But I want to sleep

Animal tranquilizers might be better to be honest.

When you get one of those colds that totally blocks your nose and you can't taste anything. Not only that but you can't breathe through your nose and you have to sit about with our gob hanging open and a lot of the time you dribble as well. I don't like those sorts of colds.

When your fella eats all the ice creams and biscuits in the house while you're out at work eating a lunch consisting purely of fruit and yogurt.

They've shut the big chip shop in Tyndrum!

Up and down again in 3 hours? Do you do some other form of walking excersise aside from the hill walking? That's a very good time for a first munro. This one was my first as well but it took me and my friend around 6 hours to do it though we mucked about a fair bit.

It's quite funny, I'm sure my body is having a wee fight with itself every time I need to cough. Had quite a long drive today and it seems to be worse when I sit up so that was fun. Just as well it was a nice drive to take my mind off it a bit but the most annoying thing about it is I can't sing along to my songs in the car. It actually hurts too much to take a deep breath. My annoying thing for today is I have a bitch of a timetable next week for Work... Monday Arbroath Springtime 9.30-10.30 Springtime 1.15-2.15 Tuesday Glasgow Smoothie roadshow 2.00-3.00 An overnight stay in Fort William after driving back to Bonnybridge to drop smoothie stuff and pick up animals Wednesday Fort William school don't know what kind of shows they want yet 10.00-10.45 10.45-11.30 11.30-12.15 1.15-2.00 2.15-3.00 drive home Thursday Blairgowrie 9.30-10.15 rainforest roadshow 10.15 - 11.00 rainforest roadshow 11.15-12.00 rainforest roadshow Perth 1.15-2.00 caring for living things 2.15-3.00 caring for living things Friday Wishaw 2.00-3.00 animal mix Braco 4.00-5.00 animal mix Monday and thursday I'll need to leave the house at about 7.00am. Dunno if I've ever seen a clock at that time before.

Got a chest infection and I feel like I need to cough all the time but it's agony when I do. Thank God I've only one show to do tomorrow.