Crisp and even at 8.02

Buoyed by the sun i skedaddled off to climb Dumyat behind Sterling. Lovely drive. Popped out of car into a freezing easterly wind. My knee was sore and I’d forgotten gloves so using walking a sticks gave me cold thumbs. The wind was wicked off the Firth and blasting up the southern slopes. I looped behind the peak (extra) from the north which gave some relief although now in the weak sun’s shade. At the top I didn’t hang about and plodded back down. Heard raven and a red grouse chirring away. I was surprised I had 740 ft of ascent on my app. It’s only a small hill but punches above its weight. Sobering to think the house in italy is at an altitude 82m above the summit height (418m) of Dumyat.

There was a harsh stirring of winter in that air.

Curry and pompadoms and Danish apple tart and custard with Terry as we watched Wales steal a draw against USA.

Yma o hyd as the song says - ‘we are still here’.