The Penultimate

There was a time when Alfie would have scoffed at the distance and happily ran along side. But that was also when he shunned the Corbett’s. He’s not as haughty with his hills now and things are not as they were. So, this hill – Càrn Bàn, Alfie’s penultimate Corbett, took a bit of thinking.

As the Munros ran out, we discussed and agreed that the Corbett’s seemed feasible in the given timescale (Alfie’s). He did set some ground rules and right up there was ‘no bike’. I tried to negotiate but it seemed an easy give at the time. I did suggest he could ride along in a trailer – but he felt that wasn’t in the spirit of things.

Alfie enjoying his long lie. Failed to be ready for my return and definitely on my side!

We had been all the way to Glencalvie before to walk Carn Chuinneag in 2022, but our Corbett planning was in the early stages then and had no idea this hill was even best from here. Alfie laid the blame quite fairly with me. He’s responsible for motivation and enthusiasm, while planning and logistics are mine. Mostly I deal with navigation and he does the route finding but this is more flexible. Sometimes we need someone else to blame.