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Diary 2003(01) 05th February: Climbed the Whangie (02) 18th February: Climbed Ben A'an (03) 02nd April: Climbed Dumgoyne (04) 08th April: Climbed Ben A'an (05) 18th April: Climbed the Cobbler (06) 30th April: (The squirrel incident) I was walking my dog Nehemiah when she disappeared behind a tree, when I caught up with her I noticed a very small very young baby squirrel shaking violently, I asked Nehemiah to move back quietly and this she did to her credit. The squirrel kept on shaking and I took pity on it and gave it a soothing clap, it immediately calmed down and I was pleased, unfortunately or not Nehemiah got jealous and came towards me and the squirrel decided she was her mum, Nehemiah immediately departed with result the squirrel decided I made a good second mother. I normally do not like interfering with nature but it became quite apparent this squirrel could not look after itself. Fortunately I do not live too far from the Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue which is located near Beith Renfrewshire Scotland. I am glad to say squirrel is doing well it has been given the number 601 so if you have a few quid throw it down that way do it Now!!. Full Address Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue, Gateside, Beith, Ayrshire. KA15 1HT. (07) 14th May: I have setup a feedback to the Website, If you have any comments please feel free to use it. (08) 15th May: Climbed Ben A'an a nice short climb (not too easy) to keep my hand in, also visited the Falls of Leny. (Photographs) (09) 18th May: I have at last achieved the first part of my Website since moving to barclaymedia.co.uk, so far I am very pleased with the results. My name is Jim Barclay and I used to work for Rolls Royce Hillington until I retired early at the age of 57, on the 28th of February 2002. I had been there for 34 years and enjoyed every minute, but the time had come to move on. I bought a Minolta Dimage 7 digital camera and as I liked going up the hills, I decided to extend this in my free time and take as many photographs as possible. Landscape pictures are the most infuriating thing you can try and do, especially after you have climbed 2000ft + and all you have is mist and nothing much else. At the beginning, I was only going to show off my best photographs but what the heck I will let you decide what is best. (10) 23rd May: I am off to Cornwall (Tintagel) for a week to change hills for cliffs. (Photographs). If in future you would like Cornwall included on this Website please let me know. (11) 31st May: Back from Cornwall, weather was unbelievably good for the time of year reaching 30°C at times. Having trouble with my Monitor, but will include pictures from the cliffs when it is fixed. (12) 4th June: Unfortunately my car which had been entrusted for the first time since I started driving to a dedicated garage for a service let me down, the timing belt broke causing £2000 damage. (13) 11th June: At last my Monitor has been fixed (14) 22nd June: I am still waiting the repair of my car in the same garage the RAC recommended to take me. Unfortunately this has curtailed my walks for this year. (15) 22nd June: I am experimenting with my opening page and hope you bear with me. (16) 25th June: Still no car from Arnold Clark. (17) 27th June: Found a very young bird suffering from malnutrition and in distress at Braehead Shopping Centre, Oh well back to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue, Gateside, Beith, Ayrshire. KA15 1HT. I have been there so many times I have become a member. Unfortunately I have my doubts about this bird surviving, where there's life there is hope. It's Number is 1564 (fingers crossed). On the bright side my squirrel (No.601) has survived and has successfully been released to the wild. (18) 28th June: Still no car. (19) 30th June: Still no car or word from garage. (However I have a glimmer of hope regards liability). Comet are strangely quiet. (20) 1st July: Still no car or word, Comet still missing. On way home from Asda Doreen noticed a small bird struggling to get off the road at Bridge of Weir roundabout near Johnstone, you've guessed, back to Hessilhead Wildlife rescue. Turns out to be an adult male blackbird, it's number is 1653 (fingers crossed). When entry 1564 looked up nothing stating it has died so some hope. I can't thank Hessilhead Wildlife Centre enough, for just being in existence. (21) 08th July: At last word from garage not good news, (no car) but still living in hope. No word from Comet (Paisley). (22) 16th July: Got my car back on Monday the 14th, decided to climb Ben Nevis on the 15th July. Will post pictures soon, it was a very hot sunny day with no wind and we were exhausted & dehydrated by the time we got back, however we enjoyed the experience. (23) 22nd July: All pictures from Ben Nevis now posted on Website. (24) 23rd July: Had two calls from the Company Maztec, gave some good news, then had the cheek to doubt my honesty. I really don't know why I should have to listen to such rubbish, my only concern is with Comet. (See link paragraph 21). (25) 24th July: Climbed The Whangie and Auchineden Hill, ended up a nice day for it. (26) 04th August: I apologize for mucking about with the index page, I am experimenting at the moment. (27) 13th August: Went to Mugdock Country Park, this induced me to climb the Dumgoyne the next day. (28) 14th August: Climbed the Dumgoyne, very hot but views worth it. Some day I won't be driving and will pay a visit to the Glengoyne Distillery after the climb. (Pictures) (29) 17th August: I took a picture of Dumgoyach from the Dumgoyne, I got curious and decided to go there from Mugdock Country Park. The direct route would be the West Highland Way. However my map showed a similar route closer to the Visitor Centre and I decided to use this one. Unknown to me there are Dumgoyach Standing Stones near Duntreath Castle and I managed to find them. Although shown on the map they are no signs pointing you towards them, so keep a sharp lookout or you may miss the Stones, as probably most of the people walking the West Highland Way will. I will include Mugdock and this walk in my Website soon. (30) 15th September: On the 29th of August and the 30th of August we decided to go back to the Castle of Mey as the views on the way up are well worthwhile. This time when we reached Inverness we went Ullapool, Durness, Bettyhill and Thurso. We were not disappointed as it felt like a journey back in time. I drove 668 miles in two days and still had time to enjoy myself. I have posted most of the pictures on the Website, but still have a few more to go. (31) 12th of October: Out walking dog and found an injured Chaffinch, It would appear to be a suspected cat attack. I have taken it to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue, Gateside, Beith, Ayrshire. KA15 1HT. Its number is 2788. (32) 13th November: Decided to clear some cobwebs from my head and set off to climb Ben A'an, at this time of year with the shorter daylight time it is an ideal hill to climb if setting off late. The weather for this time of year was perfect with only a slight touch of drizzle at the top which did not last long. View wise it was a bit limited and the top of Ben Venue remained covered in mist. I met two fine gentlemen, John & Bert from Bellshill and time past very quickly. My dog Nehemiah took a shine to John's biscuits as did a Donkey & Highland Cow, the climb was well worth the effort. (33) 20th November: I am in the middle of modifying the site, It may look a bit untidy for a while but I hope the end result is an improvement? Ben A'an, Ben Ledi & Ben Lomond are completed. (34) 07th December: Climbed Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn), it was cold but sunny. I will post pictures after I have finished modifying the site. (Picture) (35) 09th December: Have just finished
modifying the website, hope you find it easier to use. (36) 15th December: All pictures of Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) now on site. (37) 22nd December: Merry Xmas everyone.
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