Hyslops

It was 'Themselves' 65th wedding anniversary yesterday (18th December). We went down to the Bluebird Cafe for lunch; Mum, Dad, Jen and me.

The weather was typically wild for the time of year with wind and rain lashing up the lake from the south. It was a better day in Ambleside 65 years ago.

Rememberance Day

My Dad on his way to the Remembrance Day service in Conistion.

Waistcoat bought at Binns, Carlisle 1962. Irish tweed Jacket bought at Andrew Houston Ltd., Bank St,  Carlisle 1965. WW2 campaign medals.

He served on the v-class destroyer HMS Venus, in the Mediterranean, and spent time in Cyprus and Haifa, Palestine.  He was involved with British Government's attempt in trying to stop the Jewish 'Exodos' from Europe after the war which was later countermanded by the US Government.

At the age of 19 he got the opportunity to bring HMS Venus into Malta Harbour because the Royalty Petty Officer was too drunk to do it himself! This was no mean feat as the harbour was full of sunken ships after the epic Siege of Malta.

William Mansell Hyslop

HMS Venus

Bombing damage in Valletta, Malta

Sandy Allan

Bumped into Sandy Allan at the top of Aonach Mor. He was climbing I was skiing. It was one of those encounters where you come across someone whom you’ve never actual met before, but feels like you've known them for years.

We chewed the fat in the Nevis Range Café and reminisced about times gone by and the characters of the climbing world back in the 70s and 80s.

The weather was amazing again. No wind and full on sun.

Sandy Allan's Blog

Sandy Allan on Aonach Mor. Schiehallion is the pointy peak on the horizon.

Looking towards Roy Bridge

Looking west down Loch Eil

YHA Deansgate

The YHA Shop on Deansgate was a regular lunch time meeting place for Manchester climbers in the late 70s. Brian Cropper, who was the manager at the time, had the foresight to snap the regulars of the day. I received these two shots from Brian in a round about way. I'm still in touch with Marcus Tierney and as a result of the picture I made an effort to contact Tony Dilger.

Tony Dilger's excellent wildlife photography site

Brian Cropper's historic gallery of climbing personalities on UKC

Marcus Tierney, Andy Hyslop, Tony Dilger 1978

Andy Hyslop 1979