A Winter Wonderland

The children together with Jo's boyfriend arrived safely and in time for Christmas, and a jolly good time was had by all. They say Christmas is a time for children

and our children spent the time running up and down mountains!

Robin took most of the pictures here (apart from this one, taken by Ollie)

I've spent two days going through them all and trying to pick out the best - but they're all brilliant and I've had trouble narrowing them down. Here is just a small selection, and that's still quite a lot, so if snow and mountains aren't your thing, now's the time to look at another blog!

Just before Christmas Robin and Ollie climbed Quinag

and although they only completed one of the peaks they agreed the scenery was breathtaking

On Christmas eve the four of them climbed Stac Polly

Jo, pretending it's summer

On Christmas day they made do with the garden slope and 'played' tobogganing

But by Boxing day they were restless again! Jo and Matt flew off to Vienna and Croatia to see in the New Year. Robin and Ollie decided to climb Sulivan

Seen here from Stac Polly, Suilvan is certainly impressive. Its massive bulk dominates the wilds of Sutherland

Here in the cold light of early morning. They had to leave home at 6am to ensure they got up and down in daylight. They restricted their climb to the dome, Caisteal Liath, that rises up and looks in shape like an old fashioned policeman's helmet

A long way up

and a long way down

Up on the saddle, there is a wall that runs over the mountain

believed to have been for keeping deer out

Nearly there!

Isn't it wonderful

It makes my mouth water - a giant meringue on the top of Suilven

 Ollie made it complete with Christmas hat

And Robin, brilliant, your photos are amazing. Well done both of you.