Graeme and I got to the top of the Criese ridge after we had seen Dave demonstrate that the Buchaille was not going to work. So being high I thought I would try my first cross country and rattled off down wind. The day was fantastic with blue sky and the clouds looking yellow, grey or white in the autumn sunlight. I was going down slowly with only patches of lift on some outcrops. When I turned south over Altchaorrun I suddenly shot up. Bit rough but up faster than I ever have. I was soon in clear air looking down on the clouds and summits. In the lowering sun the snow covvered tops and golden brown lower slopes looked like a calendar. I was scared of getting caught in cloud so tried speed bar and big ears to loose height. Hmm!

Graeme was dotting along below but I was in lots of lift. I headed south and eventually got lower and less concerned. At the slabs was down to about 2000 feet. The lift on the slabs was lovely with views across to Creran and beyond. The slabs looked like the side of a gothic cathederal dusted in icing sugar.

Now it was the end of the road, literally. We could land at the jetty and get back easier or head on towards Taynult which would need a bit of lift but might need a bit of a walk out if there was none. We chose to pile on south. Sadly no lift and I finally had to turn and land under Creag nah-Uamhaid, frightening some deer into the woods as I landed in the golden sun light.

Graeme landed about a k north so we had a brisk, moonlit walk back to the pier. We may have walked a little too far on the forrestry track, in the dark but met David at about 6pm and back to Kingshouse for a couple of pints and some grub.

A memorable highland day of exercise, flying and excitement. I always think that Scotland is the most beautiful country in the world - on a good day- today was a great day! They'll have to screw the lid down before I forget this one.