While the rest of the country seems to be suffering a drought, good old Lochaber gets the rain, which is great if you are white-water kayaker, which I am not. However we have a secret weapon for non paddlers:- Julie Green and the Fired Art crew who work hard to keep us entertained indoors . Fired Art, which looks like just a cheerful café where you can also paint some pots (a great way of keeping kids entertained, by the way) is actually part of a thriving local music scene. On Saturday night Brian Houston came over from Ireland. Brought over on the instigation of complete muso Brian Sedgewick; whose day job is that of surgeon at the Belford, Lochaber's Hospital , and who has some slick moves in theatre, we are told.

If you get the chance to see Brian Houston live I'd really recommend it (try not to fall off any mountains and avoid seeing Brian Sedgewick - it'll ruin your hols). BH played two sets, and is funny as well as being tuneful. His music is a real mix, a bit Van Morrison , a bit folky, a bit bluesy. Fired Art only holds 60 so musicians can get a real rapport going with the audience; which BH probably regretted when we all started singing back at him, as he pointed out two octaves too high! A great night.

If you are coming up on holiday check out the Fired Art site www.fired-art.co.uk and if they are putting on any music make it a date for your diary. I've not been disappointed at any of their events yet.

The beautiful weather drifted away just as the Easter crowds arrived. The weather was OK with good visibility and sunny intervals but we had all become spoilt with the wall to wall sunshine. This didn't stop folk getting out, and with the little rain we had the kayakers would have been happier.

I got out for a couple of walks, including one that has been on my tick list for a while; a good old stomp up into the Grey Corries. Parking is limited at the start of the walk and we parked just off the road before the river (GR 252811 on OS Landranger 41). We slogged up Beinn na Socaich, with the wind buffeting us it wasn't the most pleasant walk up. However once we were up the wind died down and the fantastic ridge stretched out before us. There is peak after peak, we baggged two Munros. It's a great ridge walk and although not sunny the visibility was pretty good. We descended down Stob Coire Gairbhre and back onto forestry tracks. Just for info. on the descent we did we notice there has been a lot of felling in the Lairig and the forest now longer abuts the stream. It took us a moment or two to work this out

For information on a route, although slightly different to mine it looks good one, go to:
http://living.scotsman.com/outdoors.cfm?id=355732007

Don't forget to check out the weather too - there was a surprising amount of snow on one or two of the narrower sections of the ridge.

Afterwards we hit the Grog and Gruel for a well deserved pint, and then the Indian Garden resturant in Fort Bill High Street for a curry.

The view from the top of Ben Nevis after topping out on No.2 Gully

Boarders enjoying the view at Nevis Range on Saturday 31st March 07.

For the second weekend in a row the Outdoor Capital enjoyed some of the best weather in the UK (see the news story from last weekend's Slopestyle competition for more blue sky pics).

On saturday I decided to brush up my ski-ing and headed off for Nevis Range for some spring snow. The ski-ing wasn't bad with the top half of the mountain open, but with some of the best views of Ben Nevis I have ever seen, it was enough just to be up there. The terrain park was in good condition with plenty of tricks being pulled to keep me entertained whilst on the summit tow.

Inspired by what I had seen on Saturday I decided I had to fit in a climb on Ben Nevis on Sunday. I have shied away from climbing on the Ben because of my novice winter climbing status, and the Ben's fearsome reputation for long days, but No. 2 Gully proved a good choice. The top two pitches providing just enough steepness to add interest. My partner, Jacqui got the cornice pitch, which she called 'interesting' and 'exciting'. Another great day with view from the top to die for.

All in all a great weekend!

Anna