As most of you probably know, I enjoy the outdoors, but when I came to Uni I gradually spent less and less time in the wilds until by the time I started the PhD I hadn't done a Hill in a couple of years. Luckily Graham, a friend from the gym asked if I'd like to join him on a hike up the Cobbler (see photo above) one sunny Spring evening in 2003 and my love of the hills was reborn. Before long Graham, his brother Rab and Innes, another friend from the gym had become regular Hillwalking companions and we exploited that amazing Summer and Autumn of 2003 to the full. Subsequently we've done a good few missions across the highlands and islands and Innes and myself even managed a week in Norway.
So with the PhD over and having spent most of the last 9 years shut away in the lecture theatre and then the lab, I felt I had reached an obvious crossroads in life. The question was simple..............did I want to go straight into a job and spend the forseeable future in a rut for the sake of a career? Or did I want to go explore the world and see and experience all off those things that make getting up in the morning worthwhile?
Now let me think............ ;-) .
So that's why its time for nigeyboy to go walkabout. I also thought it might be nice for all of you guys if I kept an online diary whilst I was away so you could all see what I'd been up and hopefully provide a little escapism for you all every now and then.