Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! 27th December

And this year’s Christmas puzzle is a “spot the difference”

Here is The Descender in January,

and here he is again in December

 – has anything changed?

So, the final hill is done, and what a great one to finish on. The Descender and I set off from Elvanfoot (cue Hobbit references) and blasted across the moor to Drumlanrig Castle. 

Sadly, the much anticipated tea stop was not to be, as the Castle cafe was closed for the season. So, onto Mennock along the side of a swollen River Nith. A quick jink onto the main A road and then we set off up the Mennock Pass. It’s a great ride up to Wanlockhead, though towering fellsides and alongside a lovely stream. All the way up it appeared that we were heading for a dead-end, only for the road to swerve left or right into another steepsided valley. As it was Christmas, the snow began to fall as we first reached the village, 

and then finished the climb off a couple of hundred metres further on.

All that was then left was a fairly straightforward – though cold – descent back to the car and a final drive into Moffat for a cup of tea and the Descenders usual bowl of soup!

What a year it’s been. The hills were relatively straightforward, and a big challenge had been getting organised and finding the bottom or top of each climb. (However, maintaining the blog has also been quite demanding!)
 It was great to finish with The Descender after starting it with him in January.

How do I follow this, having had a challenge that has lasted a whole year? I don’t know, but what I do know is that it won’t be the second book, or I’ll be looking for a second wife!

Thank you if you've been following my exploits, and I hope it inspires you to have a go at some of them!

30 miles, 749m of ascent.