McGonks Conquer Ben Nevis.

WE MADE IT!

On Friday, 24th May 2013, McGonks set off from Port William, making the 209 mile trip by car to Fort William for what had become known as the 'Port to Fort Challenge'. The challenge was to make it to the very top of Ben Nevis and bring back a photograph as proof positive that a McGonk had been to the very top of the United Kingdom. It had been a difficult decision trying to choose which of the McGonks would make the trip but, in the end, the brave Bhreac McGonk was chosen. Bhreach sounds like 'Vra-chk' with the 'ch' similar to that in Scottish loch. (It's gaelic for speckled.) This is Bhreac safely tucked into the backpack, ready for heading north.

The drive up was spectacular, with glorious weather and a stop at Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond. The sun was shining, the visitor centre was alive with people out making the most of the bank holiday weekend and everything looked really positive for the big day. A quick look at Ben Lomond towering above the loch was a firm reminder that the walk to the top of Ben Nevis was going to be neither fast nor furious, as McGonks have virtually no legs and they need to stop often to take many, many photographs.

Onwards and upwards - we arrived at the hostel (www.fortwilliambackpackers.com) just before 5pm and were soon settled. Then we were off out for a short walk to explore Fort William. There are simply too many photos to share here but you can imagine how awesome such a trip was for such a little creature as a Galloway McGonk who had never been up any higher than the trig point on Mochrum Fell in the Machars! Indeed, we had been there just two nights previously by way of a final practice walking on hills. But Ben Nevis looked ENORMOUS in comparison!

We set off after breakfast on Saturday 25th May 2013 and reached the Ben Nevis visitor centre around 9.30am, where we stopped for some photos.

The mountain was busy and we saw all sorts of characters making their way up what's known as the old pony track but nowadays, the track has become worn and in many places all but disappeared under falling rocks and scree, so there would be no way a pony or donkey could clamber up to the top. But it's still safe enough for walkers and the well-practiced runners who race up and down it. Tumbling down it seemed like too much of a hazard to risk going any faster than snail's pace for us, though! And apart from that, we could now see snow on the summit... lots of it!

By lunchtime, we had reached the lochan that's about halfway up the mountain, where we stopped to eat our first picnic. Poor Aunty Woo had just got comfortable after slipping down a gully when a wee Yorkshire Terrier came scurrying along and pinched her cheese sandwich! The owner was so apologetic, but that didn't bring back lunch! We couldn't help but get the McGonky giggles! We decided to move on a little, and made our next stop at the Red Burn waterfall. This was where we began to see the snow creeping closer.

The sunshine and fair weather meant that crossing the burn was very easy and stopping to fill our water bottles an equally simple task. I can highly recommend the water from the Red Burn, no matter what you think of drinking from mountain streams. If you're out of water on a mountain, what else are you going to drink, bar eating the snow once you reach it?  (There isn't exactly much by way of livestock once you pass the 2,000ft stage, although we did see ptarmigan and red deer during our walk, plus sheep on the lower slopes of Glen Nevis.)

The path had run downhill slightly towards the burn crossing, but we were soon heading back up and fast running out of footpath. It was barely discernable once we reached the scree, with huge boulders that had obviously come clattering down with melting snow. The sunshine, mountain breeze, glorious blue skies and the occasional wisping cloud combined with the friendliness and camaraderie of most of the other walkers made this a truly memorabel trip. I certainly don't think we'll forget it!

We were walking for Pirsac, the Port William Inshore Rescue lifeboat, which is completely independent of the RNLI, but there were several other well deserving charities benefiting from the efforts of the climbers: this is one of the walkers who was making the trip to help raise funds for Brain Tumour UK. We met these guys again on the summit.

The rocks began getting a little slippery underfoot as we approached the snowline. Few photos were taken here for fear of McGonk blowing off the mountain, but we did try. The only way he could survive was within the safety of the backpack. As you can see, there isn't much to distinguish the path at this point, but the views were spectacular on such a fantastic day. The photo on the left is looking back down towards Glen Nevis, from where we had just come. Can you see the tiny people zigzagging their way up the mountain?

Onwards and upwards.

We could now see the snow stretching out before us. Bhreac insisted on having his photo taken at the bottom of the first marker cairn before venturing into the white snowy mountainscape, where there would have been absolutely no clue as to the whereabouts of the footpath had it not been so busy on that holiday weekend. It would have been a case of crampons and hiking upwards using map and compass, but we were lucky n that we could simply follow all the other footprints that had gone before us.

We took the straight route as soon as we could and began following
the line of cairns from one to the next, steering well clear of the teacherous Five Finger Gully and the equally precarious northeast face with its 2,000ft drops! Seeing the snow up there was awesome, especially when considering we were probably walking over about a meter of the stuff.

This is when the enormity of walking up Ben Nevis suddenly hits you! It is such an awesome place! 

Photographs cannot adequately reflect the magnificance and majesty of Ben Nevis on such a spectacular day - somebody, somewhere had to be smiling on us! The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, the snow was stretched out before us glistening in the sun and, despite the hundreds of people already flocking ahead of us, they looked like nothing more than tiny specks blowing along on the stark landscape.

This was the final stage of our walk - spirits were high, there were skiiers, runners, people of every age sliding around the place and, most importantly, everyone looked full of the joys of spring. We new we were approaching the summit by the sight of brightly coloured dots (fellow walkers) waving their arms in the air in celebration at seeing the old observatory, emergency shelter and trig point come into view.

Walking the final few hundred meters to the summit was an unbelievable experience on it's own - it was so good, Bhreac and I did it twice and, each time, we were rewarded with fantastic views and imprinted memories to carry home and share with the others. It certainly was an experience of a lifetime that I want to share and share again. I'd love to go back up there, but could anyone ever plan so well as to provide the perfect weather? I think not.

So here we are, right on the summit of Ben
Nevis, up on the highest trig point, somewhere on the collaped dome of a long-extinct volcano about 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level... and this McGonk about to make it to the highest point in the United Kingdom! I've included a close-up of the Ordinance Survey number off the trig-point as added evidence that this was, indeed, the summit of Ben Nevis.

Now, all we need to do is get back down again and make it back to Glen Nevis safe and sound to complete our challenge and show you all that this fundraising mission has been a success. We were delighted to see this little fellow waving at us on the way back down! But we didn't venture too close, as he seems to be pointing in the general directon of the dreaded Five Finger Gully - not a place the McGonks want to go near, especially in snow.

There was so much to see, so many people to chat to and even the wildlife was entertaining, with snow buntings coming to be fed crumbs on the very summit of the mountain. Time flew away from us as we picnicked on the top, watching the birds, surveying the hundreds of miles of mountain tops that spread out below us. It was fairly cold, the snow had filled our boots and there was a bit of an icy breeze yet, despite all of this, we managed to stay up there for well over an hour.

But time was marching on and we had to begin our descent. Such a shame to leave this all behind and
such a worry that something would happen to the camera before making it home and seeing the photographs!

The downward walk was slippery but fun. It was much slower than anticipated, although much faster than the ascent. The snow was slippery, the scree slid from beneath our feet, the rocks seemed twice as big when clambering back down the way and the views were stunning, meaning twice as many stops to take even more photographs.

All too soon (some may say none too soon) the lttle metal bridge was back in site and we were on the final slope leading down into glen and heading for the Glen Nevis Inn. Ten people, Bhreac McGonk and 3 mini-McGonks set off to reach the top of a mountain that day and all concerned made it to the top and back down safely.

I can honestly say that this mission has been accomplished successfully and we hope that all the money raised will be of benefit to the corresponding charities. We made several stops en route down the way and finally reached the pub early evening. We spent a full day out on the mountain!

For McGonks, we hope to help keep the Port William lifeboat afloat for as long as possible. If you would like to support this cause, you can still do so by donating via www.mcgonks.com website. To date, we have raised £635 from this one walk and put a McGonk on the highest point in the UK - no small feat for a gonk with no feet!

Our next challenge involves some more walking and cycling and it begins today, Saturday 1st June 2013. Warch out for news and updates online, where you can follow the exploits via the McGonks Facebook page and join our event (see events section) as we go in search of funds to help save The Whithorn Trust from closure.

Meeting the Rock Man of Clays Hill

He's So Dependable!

It feels as though the McGonks have stolen away the days! I know they haven't, but I really haven't got a clue where all the time has gone. All that I do know is that the search continues for litte Beag McGonk and all hands are on deck to help with the search... no stone will be unturned, although try telling that to the Rock Man of Clays Hill

 

The prickly gorse is coming into bloom and giving the place a lovely yellow glow, despite there still being snow lying on the sheltered slopes. Luckily, McGonks seem oblivious to the sharp little thorns, but they do still get caught up now and again.

 

We were kind of hoping that perhaps Beag had become tangled in the gorse and that we'd find him there, munching his way through the flowers or fermenting them into sweet gorse wine, but it wasn't to be - he was nowhere to be seen.

 

Hooter McGonk climbed to the very top of the hill and could see for many miles, but he still couldn't see his brother. On he tramped, searching under rocks and calling from the tops of rocks, peering around rocks and looking over rocks... he could see right over the top of the forest, but he couldn't see the lost Beag! He could, however, see a face looking at him, watching his every move!

It was the grinning face of the Rock Man of Clays Hill!

 

"Follow the Sneach," he cried, "they'll uncover the missing Beag!"

 

Excitedly, the little McGonk clambered down the rocky hill and went off in search of Bhreac, for it was he who was in charge of investigating the dangerous snowly slopes - they are simply too dangerous for the mini McGonks. Far off, in the distance, he could see the tell tale signs... the trampled snow leading to what looked like the gateway to the home of the Sneach!

I wonder what he'll find?

 

I Spy Beag McGonk!

Could it Really be True? Has Beag Been Found?

Beag McGonk

Today we took Bhreac McGonk out for a trip to see if we could spot the missing Beag, but there are still no signs of him.

Several miles along the road, the tiny speckled McGonk had an idea!

Off he wobbled, onwards and upwards, struggling to climb the many, many steps to reach the top of an ancient fort.

From so high up, Bhreac could see for many, many miles, including all the way across the water to the Isle of Man! (There's still snow on the hills over there, too.)

But there were no clues as to the whereabouts of the missing Beag.

A little further along, we came to a lane leading to yet another fort - everyone knows Beag loved to climb - trees, hills, fells,  rocks, ruins, rubble, motehills and, of course, forts. So, off we went, along the lumpy, bumpy farm track until we could get no further - the path leading up to the once fortified fell summit was blocked by snow! About turn, retrace steps and resume our journey to wherever we were going.

Suddenly, Bhreac, who was peering through his tiny binoculars, searching the horizon, let out an almost inaudible, squeaky screech and became very animated, bouncing around in a most excited manner - he had spotted Beag McGonk in the far off distance!

He could just make him out and no more... along the road,  across two fields, beyond a car park and over a wall! It looked as though Beag had lost his Tam O'Shanter but Bhreac was convinced it was him, for sure!

Being so excited to see his little friend, Bhreac just took off - almost falling down a ditch as he scurried closer and closer.

On and on he ran, scrambling through snow drifts, under wire fences, between the slats of farm gates, across the car park and clambering up and over the huge stone wall that separated him for his long lost friend... and then he stopped in stunned disbelief!

No longer could he see his dear little buddy, Beag, instead, he could see... an alpaca, lying snoozing just behind the wall!

As Mr Alpaca turned to look at him, he couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity of it all. But that really did look like Beag McGonk sitting between the ears of this particular creature, especially from such a distance and with the benefit of wishful thinking.

Bhreac quickly explained to the still sleepy, wooly, furry beast about the loss of his friend and was reassured that all the animals in the park would keep an eye out for the missing Beag while spreading word to the other creatures, including the birds in the trees and the fowl on the ground.

With a cheeky little grin, the alpaca promised to have a search party combing the length and breadth of the parish in no time.

And so ended Bhreac's big adventure of the day... I wonder if we'll be any close to solving the mystery toorrow?

McGonk Meets the Easter Bunny

In Search of the Missing 'Beag' McGonk



Beag McGonk



As you all know, my favourite little 'Beag' McGonk went missing in action a few weeks ago, completely vanishing without trace. A search party was deployed on several occasions without success and now, with the onslaught of this Siberian Spring, heavy snowfall has brought the searching to a temporary halt.

 

McGonks love nothing more than to explore, so we're hoping that Beag simply wandered off and forgot he was supposed to return home to Thrift Cottage. They can be very, very forgetful little creatures but they can also be very naughty, especially the diminutive micro-McGonks! Beag disappeared after a trip to Torhouse Stone Cirlce, when he was last seen heading towards Wigtown, Scotland's national book town.

Hooter McGonk

Earlier today, a little visitor arrived in the shape of Hooter McGonk,  a nosy wee character who was adamant that he go in search of his wayward cousin as soon as possible, despite the weather conditions. Much debating went on until we could debate no more and off he scampered, out into the snowy lands of Frugaldom to begin his own investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Beag. What he hopes to achieve in this weather is anyone's guess, as he's barely visible himself when wading through the chilly white carpet provided by Mother Nature. He doesn't care how high or how low he has to search, but search he will until he discovers the whereabouts of his cousin, 'Beag'.

 

 

Following the invisible Sneach

Through the snowy fields he clambered, climbing drifts and exploring icy tunnels and igloos made by the Sneach - a clan of seemingly invisible, white Mcgonks of the north who over-winter in Galloway. They're normally quite easy to spot, as we don't usually have this amount of snow, but to our human eyes these snow McGonks are undetectable during times such as these. It was amazing to watch Hooter communicating with them, chattering away, following in their footsteps. We could see their tracks, but it is impossible to spot a Sneach even on such a glorious day as today.

Climbing the tree

The Sneach McGonks led us all a merry dance, poor Hooter was exhausted by the time he got back to Thrift Cottage. First they suggested he climb as high as he could to survey the snowly landscape. Up he climbed, higher and higher, his little nose getting redder and redder. Several times he had to scuttle for cover under gnarled branches, as passing blackbirds kept mistaking his nose for a juicy red berry they'd overlooked on the Hawthorn! What a to do that would have been, losing Hooter to a scavenging blackbird!

 

Poor wee Hooter - he climbed as high up the tree as he could possibly go and then the mischievous Sneach McGonks closed their eyes and disappeared from sight, camouflaged to perfection against the glistening snow! Even Hooter was having trouble spotting them, but he could still hear them chattering away, calling out instructions to him and making tracks in the snow for him to follow.

 

From his viewpoint, far up the tree, Hooter could see so many tracks in the snow that he didn't know which to follow. The Sneach were everywhere and nowhere to be seen, but there seemed to be a great deal of trampling and stamping coming from the direction of the burn, very close to the home of the Trolls!

 

Carefully, Hooter picked his way back down the tree and headed towards the deep, dark, watery cave, convinced that the Sneach wouldn't lead him into danger. They may be cheeky and impish, but they certainly weren't evil or cruel.

The Trolls' Cave

The mouth of the cave looked spooky, the banks were slippery and cloaked in deep snow and there was a whispering, gurgling echo coming from deep within the tunnel.

 

Hooter crawled over the bridge and gingerly stuck his head inside to call out to the Trolls, asking for their help in finding his lost cousin. The echoing whisper that rushed from the cave mouth was unmistakable, audible to all around, incuding the multitude of Sneach that had surrounded the area - if the footprints were anything to go by, that is!

 

"Speak to the Easter Bunny!" the voices murmured, repeating the same command over and over again...



Avalanche alert!

Great commotion broke on the embankment, with a flurry of snow as the Sneach scurried to help Hooter back from the water's edge, leading him along the lane at top speed, back along the path they had previously come. It was tough going for Hooter, he was slipping and sliding all ways, trying to balance precariously between snow drifts, ruts and ridges.

 

Suddenly, he felt the ground move beneath him! In a panic, he became rooted to the spot, feeling the tremors rippling underfoot. He expected to feel himself plunge through chasms of icy darkness at any minute, disappearing throught the deep snow, never to be seen again.

 

What a predicament to be in, out on his first major search and rescue mission only to find himself in need of rescuing! That's when he suddenly realised that the Sneach Clan members were rolling about the ground like tiny snowballs, giggling and laughing uncontrollaby.

 

How curious!

 

"Look down," they yelled in glee, "look down, now!"

 

Peering carefully downwards, Hooter soon saw the reason for such myrth - he wasn't clinging for dear life to an icy peak waiting to be swept into  the snowy abyss by some ground-shaking avalanche...

 

Hooter had woken the Easter bunny, who had been sitting by the wall, like hare waiting for tortoise, enjoying a little nap before his very, very busy weekend arrived!

 

Shrieking with delight, Hooter slid to safety and apologised profusely to Easter Bunny. He quickly explained his predicament and told the bunny how the Sneach had led him to the Trolls and how the Trolls had sent him in search of the Easter Bunny.

 

To all of this, the bunny responded with one word ...

 

"PATIENCE!"

 

Whatever could he mean?

McGonks and Fabulous February

FURBULOUSLY FRUGAL!

What an exciting start to the new year we  have had - it threw all sorts of weather our way, from bright sunshine to rain, hail, sleat and even snow in this little corner of southwest Scotland where it seldom usually ventures. But mostly it has been raining... gallons and gallons of the stuff falling incessantly, to the extent that the surrounding land has been flooded on numerous occasions, to date. Getting out and about hasn't been easy, but McGonks are resilient little critturs and soon find a way.

As you already know, some of the McGonks are going to be heading to Fort Willliam, where they will be attempting to climb Ben Nevis. But let's not forget that there are many more McGonks who won't be making that trip.

Indeed, several others have already set off on their great adventures, including Duncan McGonk, who seems to be spending his time lapping up the sunshine while climbing olive trees in Egypt - what a lucky McGonk he is! I'm told his Arabic is coming along slowly, albeit with a Scottish accent.


Never mind, back here in Frugaldom we have plenty going on and there's always someone or some place new to see.

The arrival of the snow for a few days brought great excitement to Clan McGonk, as this was the first they had ever experienced it, since settling into Thrift Cottage. A few fluttering flakes had passed in the pas,t but none had stuck around long enough to cover the ground, far less enough of the stuff for building a snowman! Beag McGonk was the first to venture out - I knew he was an adventurous wee chappie as soon as I laid eyes on him! Here he is, proudly showing off his first attempt at building a snowman.

Now we need to fit in some serious training for the climb up Ben Nevis in May, so some of the McGonks decided that they would try a bit of snowy hill climbing.

This corner of Scotland isn't renowned for its hills, although we do live within 25 miles of the Galloway Hills. Here in the Machars area we have a few fells and the occasional 'trig' point.

Trig points are triangulation points, usually marked by pillars of some description, set at the top of hills and used in the Ordnance Survey. Did you know that the "roots of Ordnance Survey go back to 1747, when Lieutenant-Colonel David Watson proposed the compilation of a map of the Scottish Highlands to facilitate the subjugation of the clans following the Jacobite rising of 1745"? (You can read more about it here.) Our photo shows Ruaidhri McGonk along with Beag and one of the hairy Haggis McGonks sitting atop their first ever trig point, surveying the white surroundings that are seldom seen in these parts. What an exciting day that was!

On 25th January each year, many of us celebrate Robert Burns' birthday here in Scotland. In fact, it's celebrated by Scots the world over - he as quite a famous poet by anyone's standards!

Traditionally, we eat haggis with tatties and neeps - a frugal dish if ever there was one, as the haggis is 'offal' bulked out with oatmeal and served with potatoes and swede. To celebrate the event this year, we invited the Haggis McGonks to join our happy clan by taking up residence in Thrift Cottage while preparing for future travels.

This is one of the Haggis McGonks, the self-same one spotted atop the trig point on top of East Barr, in Wigtownshire. He's a happy wee haggis chappie who'll be staying with us for a while, as he has volunteered his services to go up the mountain in May.

Today, the Haggis McGonks have won a runners up prize in a competition! They can't decide if it's a good thing (winning) or a bad thing (the competition). You might ask why this could possibly be? Surely it has to be fun receiving free gifts through the post? Well, I'll leave it for you to decide!

The accompanying letter requested that we upload a photo onto a website to enter into a prize draw, so here is our entry... in case you can't see what the label or the wording on their prize badges say, it's 'Eat Haggis'.

You'll have to find them and catch them first!

Don't forget that if you spot a McGonk anywhere, get a photograph and add it to the gallery on our McGonks page at www.facebook.com/McGonks Share your McGonk tales with the world as our Scottish furry friends multiply and spread out throughout the world.

Mad March isn't so far away and that's when we shall see off our first high flying McGonk, as he takes off with the skydivers! More on that, soon. In the meantime, you can help McGonks support their local charity, the Port William Lifeboat, by visiting www.mcgonks.com and following the progress of their Port to Fort Challenge to get to the top of Ben Nevis. Likewise, you can gift donations through Paypal by emailing it directly to nykmedia@aol.com where funds can be transferred to the charity. Event details are included on Facebook and on website.

www.mcgonks.com