Purple Thistle “Oor Blog”
With the school summer holiday at an end it was with great excitement that the Shearer clan descended on Balmacara.
After a relatively midge free summer (all these theories about “none of the little blighters because the winter was so cold” etc. etc.) we managed to find the entire west coast biomass had relocated to an old Forestry Commision campsite on the outskirts of Balmacara! Not to be deterred we set up camp with our new green tent, much to Carol’s dismay as she spent the first ten minutes after arrival looking for our old blue one!
Friday night was spent on the beach with the Macmillans creating much smoke and drinking hot chocolate escaping midges.
Saturday dawned with clear blue skies which was to be the theme for the weekend making for some very tired and thirsty looking people by the end of play.
Having never been to the “PT” before I really enjoyed the easy going attitude of everyone involved and found the weekend very relaxing. To be recommended to anyone who’s never been.
Saturday’s start was 1.5k from the site so we all walked together with Ewan, Eilidh and myself away first leaving Lucy and Rona till I got back - my oh my, heather up to the armpits and hills like munro’s! Still I enjoyed the terrain and tried to take my time and not make too many detours which nearly worked, aah well !
At the finish Rona kindly gave me 30 seconds before we set off on the “baby” and Lucy set off on the medium. Rona managed well with some help as it was pretty difficult being yellow/orange and she received the loudest cheer of the day at the finish with Shearer/MacMillans waiting patiently. Ewan and Eilidh both loved the course and ran well and with Lucy returning tired but happy we set off to Kyle for a swim and some food in Plockton.
Back to the social and prizegiving and we were delighted to see that Briony was first on the “Small Thistle” and Calum second on the “Baby”. It was great to see EckO juniors up there again.
Sunday was another cracker and with me shadowing Rona, Lucy set off with one of Paul’s G P S tracker thingy’s round her waist - no pressure then !
At time of writing we haven’t seen results for Sunday yet but as a family we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend with some good craic and a chance to catch up with everyone. Thanks also to everyone involved and we’ll see you all at the club champs.
The Shearers
Editor’s note: so why were EckO the only club to (proudly) fly their club flag on the camp site? And what was this about noisy neighbours on the Saturday night? Tweet-Twoo?
Posted on 20th Aug 10
by Lynne Walker - Secretary
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