Today, I was the highest point in Britain

Aye! My feet are killing me! I saw Britain's highest War Memorial today, which incidentally is located at the top of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1344m, 4406ft), here in Fort William. Conditions at the summit are sub-arctic, with an average annual temperature below 0°C. The board at the foot of the climb reads:

Even on hot, sunny days, mist and gales can blow in without warning.

And on another site:

The name 'Nevis' comes from the Gaelic word for heaven or clouds. Ben Nevis can therefore be translated 'mountain with its head in the clouds' or 'cloudy mountain'. At any time of year the "Ben" is spectacular and a view you will never forget.

This wasn't the case today, and I had plenty warning. It was cold and misty, I got wet; it got colder, ice started to form on my clothes. But it was loads of fun, despite the constant cursing near the top after realising each new unstable-pebble-infested corner I'd just conquered led to yet another. I'm bummed that I never got to see any views from the top - zero visibility due to mist and clouds, as this photo of me standing next to the 1344'th meter of the mountain illustrates - but half-way down did get to see the rolling green hills I was expecting in Scotland. Which until now, I hadn't really encountered in the Highlands. Apparently I should go to Ireland for that.

Yesterday was beautiful however, but I decided to rather go mountain biking in the picturesque Leanachan Forest. I set out to cycle an easy 18km route, but starting in good fashion, went right instead of left and ended up two hours later in a car park. Wonderful. It was great fun though, something I've wanted to do for ages (in Tokai forest) but never bothered to. My hands and bum were killing me after that. Taking into account Tuesday's day-tour of the Isle of Skye which included another hike, this week's been pretty active. And with great, sunny weather (for the most part) I've even managed to get a tan. In Scotland, of all places.

After two weeks of backpacking I'm feeling relatively comfortable with hostel life. I've met people from all over, and the world just seems to get so much bigger when you're travelling. I'm still adjusting to the idea of meeting people and then saying goodbye in the same day, and a new bed almost every night. The MacBackpacker hostels, though, are highly recommended - compared to my experiences in London they're 5-star luxury. Two of my socks went missing in the laundry yesterday, but that usually happens at home anyway.

OOT unfortunately, and don't fancy spending more time behind a keyboard while here so off to drink with some Germans. Might update again in the next week, so until then, ciao!