| Saturday 8th October 2005 | Alladale Wilderness Reserve |
WARNING: No pictures in this bit of the story, just me waffling on...
A start pretty much like any other work day, alarm goes off at 6:45 and it is time to get up and washed... two different things about today though.
So with a heavy rucksack packed, a third of the stuff not in the sack, but in the cover that went over it, I headed off to my parents house. They were going to be heading down to the coast for the weekend, so they had agreed to get up unsociably early and give me a lift down to Gatwick.
By 8:30 I was at Gatwick and by some miracle, which does not usually happen with EasyJet, there was no queue for the Inverness flight so I walked straight up to a desk. As I did the list of flights for check-in changed and the masses piled in behind me! Once checked in I went through to departures and did my usual tour of the shops, especially Dixons, and as usual, bought nothing.
At the departure gate I ended up sitting next to a lady that I had a chat with and she was in a similar line of work, so I gave a quick product pitch and gave her a business card - I really must remember I am going on holiday!
The flight was about 20 minutes late leaving, but pretty much on time landing. Chris was there to meet me. As it was pick up day it meant that Chris had a chance to return to civilisation and as we had to wait to 17:30(ish) for the other volunteer we headed off to the cinema and watched a film (Serenity), did the grocery shopping, then got a phone call. He had missed his train and so would not be in until 19:35!
Oh well - so we headed into Inverness town to go wait. I had time to get a hair cut, buy a couple of fridge magnet souvenirs for Helen, then try and find a new jacket. I walked around the town twice, went in 5 or 6 different shops and decided there was no way I was going to spend £150 on a jacket that would probably get a nick in it first time out. I did buy a new hat and pair of gloves though... oh, and some of those hand heat pads...
Chris and I then met up at 18:00 and went for a pizza. Time ticked on and we headed round to the station to go and collect the other volunteer - Michael. We found out the reason he had missed the train was due to his plane being an hour delayed, so can't hold a grudge there I guess. It did mean however that it was really dark and I would not get to see the Reserve on the way in.
We headed off to Ardgay (pronounce - Ard-Guy) and over the river to Bonar (pronounce Bon, NOT Bone) Bridge, to the Bridge pub and hotel to meet up with some of the other employees and the third volunteer Carol, who had already been at Alladale for two weeks.
When we arrived at the pub the party was in full swing, or so I thought, but actually it was just warming up!
Some more locals arrived shortly after we did and a karaoke session kicked off, but without the monitor for the words.
A few drinks later and we were ready to head off up into the hills.
We headed back over the bridge to Ardgay and turned right in the village, followed by a left to take us up a single track road and into the darkness beyond.
About a half hour or so later we pulled up at the Alladale lodge dropped off some groceries and then transferred from the little Renault Cleo to the more serviceable Land Rover. We had already come of tarmac road onto gravel track, but now things looked like they were getting serious.
A half hour later after driving about 7 miles up a track (recently re laid on the first 5 miles) avoiding the deer we arrived at our destination and home for the next two weeks - Deanich Lodge.
When we arrived the place was cold and dark... outside though was fantastic. With the lack of background light (the next nearest piece of civilisation Alladale lodge, 7 miles behind) you could look up into the stars on the clear night and see layer upon layer of stars. Truly awe inspiring and humbling to think how small we are as an individual in the grand scheme, yet as a race we act so pompous and self-important.
The deer rut had also started in the last couple of days, to the Stags also spent most of the night roaring at each other.
We quickly unloaded, chose our rooms and then started the fire in the sitting room. Relaxed for a while then went off to out rooms just before midnight. I finished unpacking and got into bed about half an hour later... quickly fell asleep, then just as quickly got woken up by the phone ringing! This happened about 4 times as about 90 minute intervals... apart from getting woken by the phone I also woke as I was very cold - the building has no central heating - it only recently got electric! Before that lighting was by gas light - the fridges are still gas, but there is now a generator that charges up a battery for a couple of hours in the mornings to provide electric. This also means there is no hot water without stoking a fire in the boiler - it is fantastic!
When I woke at 7:15 am, still cold, I thought it was now time to get up.