Tuesday 28 July 2015

The End of the Roads

The End of the Roads

26th July 2015


This morning we got up, cooked our breakfast, (bacon, beans, haggis and eggs) and decided to ride along the road to nowhere!!  Our goal was Rannoch (train) Station, where the road ends but the train line continues on to Fort William and beyond.  Our route was hilly at times, but with fantastic views - especially of the River Gaur - which was fast flowing and full!!  

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When we arrived at Rannoch Station we found a small tea room along with a visitor's area that explained the history of the land and the railway, and it also provided information about various cycle routes including a long distance one called The Revolution Route - We thought this might suit our friends, Sharon and Paul down to a Tee!!



As usual, we'd taken our own coffee and sustenance in the form of fruit cake, and once that was finished, as there was no where else to go, we about turned and cycled back the way we had come, but the head wind had other ideas and tried to delay our return. However, we bravely fought against it and won! On the way home we paced and raced each other and rode quite quickly over the switch back road beside Loch Rannoch, thus making our return journey much quicker and more fun than going - Oh and the distance - 31 miles in all and all before lunch!

Therefore, a quick lunch was the next priority on our list but then we left Camp Kilvrecht and headed for Callander with the intention of trying to find an overnight camp on Loch Venachar, where there is supposed to be an Aire type camping spot. (like they have in France). However, after traversing the length of the Loch a couple of times and not being able to find either IT or level ground on other parking areas, we gave up and dropped back into Callander and had the misfortune of having to stop on another expensive commercial site, were we had to listen to our neighbours having ‘words’.


To be fair we had a comfortable night and took full advantage of their hot showers (lovely after van affairs), but we left quite promptly in the morning.




27th July 2015


Following our prompt escape we headed towards Loch Lubnaig where our intention was to park the van for the day while we did a cycle ride up to Killin.  Happily, it was here that we came across the Aire type camping spot that we had been searching for the day before.  We nipped in quick, and found that for the sum of £10, we could park overnight, and  they provide all that was needed to accommodate  2 vans and several tents. 







It is a lovely place right on the loch, side and there is a little  food shack that sells all sorts of goodies up till 6pm.  However, we were a bit narked when 2 more vans popped in and stayed overnight for free in the parking area that clearly said ‘no overnight parking’.





Unfortunately it was raining that morning, and that was the forecast for pretty much all day.  However, we'd decided to ride so ride we did.  Once we got going the rain didn’t really bother us as it was quite gentle and we'd wrapped up well,  and as the old saying goes  - ‘no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing’  


As we left the camp site we had to ride down the main A84 which is another old military road and one that was quite busy, but we only had about one and half miles to go before we picked up Sustran’s Route 7 which we diligently followed all the way to Killin.  


Route 7 follows the Rob Roy Way, and although it is mostly on good surfaces there are sections that proved to be very challenging, either due to their steepness or the rough terrain under our road tyres. In 2 places it gains height very quickly by using a series of hairpin bends - on the first we pushed because of the poor surface, but on the second we managed to ride to the top - although it nearly killed us.  (the best thing about it was coming back down!).  


As we continued on our way we passed over a bridge that was dedicated to Nigel, and also over a huge viaduct.















And then we noticed we'd ridden about 13 miles, and as we're getting 'on' a bit (old foggies our children would say) John decided it was time to stop for tablet …..  Mrs Tilly’s ….. it was very nice!!



The part of the trail we'd ridden was quite hilly of the upwards variety, so it seemed fairly realistic to expect a bit of downhill as we got nearer to our destination.  However, once the downhill started the path deteriorated and we continued to descend quite quickly for about 4 miles.  At one point John shouted out ‘deer’, I was unsure if this was a term of endearment, or to signify that he had actually seen said animal.  Unfortunately, by the time I looked up - from carefully watching my tyre placement - whatever it was had vanished!


Anyway, after our hurtle downhill we finally made it to Killin in once piece, and then our first priority was lunch.  I had brought our usual picnic  with us but after 21 miles of fairly hard cycling we felt in need of a more substantial feed, and luckily we quickly spied The Old Smithy which had been converted to a fish and chip shop.   I nipped in and brought a large portion of chips to share which went down extremely well with our ham cobs, and as it was still raining, and as they had outside tables and chairs with brollies over them we cheekily took advantage while we partook of our feast.  





After we'd eaten we felt much better so wondered around the village and took photos of the magnificent Falls of Dochart which were in full spate following the heavy rain overnight.



 

 



By now it was about 3pm and we still had to cycle all the way back so John suggested staying on the main road for a while which would avoid some of the hills and rough terrain, so that is what we did. We followed the road for about 3 miles, all uphill, and then we were able to pick up the cycle track again.  Luckily this made our return much easier - I wasn't sure if I would have made it had we gone the long way round!  Once back on the cycle track we stopped off at a viewpoint overlooking  the head of Loch Earn for coffee, and then later we found another spectacular waterfall which didn’t seem to have a name.


Finally, to shorten our route again we did another section of main road, but as we rounded a blind bend we almost ran into a huge heap of sawdust protruding half way across the carriageway.  It looked as if it had been very recently spilled because there was no warning signs, however, we safely passed it without incident, and a little further down the road found it’s source.  The trailer of an artic was parked in a lay-by, and as we continued along the road the lorry driver, accompanied by a police car were returning.  


The ride in total was 38 miles, and because of all the hills we both felt quite exhausted by the time we got back, however, we keep telling ourselves ‘it's good for us’, and following a cup of tea we've decided to try and keep our new habit up!!


28th July 2015


Well, today our road has finally come to an end, and after 23 nights we have to leave Scotland and start making our way home.  In total we've got about 400 miles to travel, but  we plan to break our journey somewhere near Bridlington and finish it off tomorrow.  At the moment I'm writing this as we're travelling along the A66 from Penrith to Scotch Corner, and from there we've probably got another couple of hours to go before we need to find somewhere to park up for the night - maybe we will do full circle and stop at Fylingdale again.  



Later we went into Bridlington for a fish and chip supper, and as I thought earlier we've parked up in one of our favourite spots on Fylingdale Moor. As we sat having our arrival cup of tea, we were lucky enough to see an owl fly by carrying prey in it's talons, and even more spectacularly, it has continued to entertain us by doing several more flybys. However, by the time John managed to get his camera out it had gone!


We're now snug and settled and are going to have an early night because we have about 130 miles to go tomorrow, but we need to get back as early as poss because we've got a lot to squeeze in to the rest of the day. I've got an appointment with the dentist who I think might do something nasty, and then there are all the usual mundane tasks that have to be done when you return from a long holiday. Unfortunately, I also have to go back to work for my last few promised bank shifts!

However, this will be our last holiday as such.  Hopefully, the house sale will go through by the end of August, and then we'll be living the Dream and be full time in the Tardis and off on our travels for real!!

Therefore, I will take up our story again at the end of August unless there is anything interesting to tell before that. So goodbye for now x

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Saturday 25 July 2015

Castles and Lochs


Castles and Lochs

22nd July 2015

This morning we left our eerie in the Glenmore Forest in bright sunshine, and headed for Braemar.  We'd booked onto a camp site because we needed to service the van, (empty the grey waste and  loo, and fill up with fresh water), and we also wanted to visit Balmoral Castle and this was the nearest camp site to it. However, we didn't go straight there, but made several stops along the way, the first being at the Rothiemurchus Farm Shop where we purchased their own farm reared steak, venison and trout and also a small amount of Haggis!  Then we continued on to Tesco to do some proper shopping, and after that the Tardis informed us that she needed feeding as well so we stopped to fill up with diesel, but still had to to go to another garage to find gas.

We have a Gaslow System fitted to our van with refillable tanks, so the gas needs to be pumped in much the same way that diesel does, however, as this was our first fill up, and as we had read that this procedure can sometimes be awkward we approached it with some intrepidation.  To add to the difficulty John had to negotiate a very narrow passage to get to the pump, and afterwards, he had to reverse back down the same narrow space and then out onto a main road.  We needn't have worried because both tasks were achieved with aplomb!!

After that we continued on along a 'Clarkson Road' (think Top Gear😁) - we didn't have the fast car but the journey over high hills and low valleys was fantastic.  Our goal was Tomintoul, and in particular, The Whisky Castle there - we (or mostly I because John was driving) were provided with generous measures of our favourite heavily peated whisky to try!
The one wee small dram he was allowed
The lady behind the counter was an absolute fountain of knowledge, but she also seemed quite tipsy because every time she poured a dram for a customer she also poured a taste for herself - what a fantastic job!  She told us about the 'Legs' - these are the runs that form on the glass after the whisky has been swirled, and apparently peated whiskey has longer legs than others!  She also explained how to smell and taste the whisky, and finally, she told us about the 'Angel's Tear'.  This is the tiny drop of water (bottled only) that should be added to allow the oils and flavours within the whisky to be released.

She was quite horrified when I told her I usually add lemonade to mine, but I think she convinced me that this is sacrilege, so in the future I will drink it as advised.  Then after  tastings so many spectacular whiskies it was difficult to decide which one to buy - we got it down to two but then couldn't decide, so we treated ourselves and brought both.  (and the proper water)


Following this lovely experience we trundled on towards our destination, but on the way we stopped at the summit of an old military road for lunch which resulted in us arriving  in Braemar at about 3pm.  Then we had van ablutions to complete before we nipped out for a walk around the village.  Later we returned to the Tardis, for tea, and finally we couldn't resist a sample of our recent purchases before bedtime.


23rd July 2015

Our first port of call this morning was Balmoral Castle, and when we got there we were quite surprised to find designated motor home parking spaces, and also signs inviting us to spend the night if we wished. However, as it was only 10am this was not our intention.  We paid to go into the Castle and Grounds and we were provided with an audio guided handset to accompany and inform us as we toured the estate.  It told us how Queen Victoria and Prince Albert initially purchased Balmoral, and subsequently rebuilt it; it told us about how the estate, along with all it's wildlife are managed; and it also provided interesting facts about how the Castle is prepared and 'put to bed' when the Royal Family visit and depart.


The Deer Larder!




The castle closes on July 31st because this is when the Royals holiday, and it was quite fascinating to hear how so many things are geared to coincide with this, for example, many of the flowers and vegetables are planned specifically to be at their best at that time.




The only room in the Castle that the public can visit is the Ballroom and this is where we were amused to see a film of an electric powered Citroen C4 being driven around by a very young Prince Charles, with Princess Anne trying to cadge a lift.  We could just imagine our Grandsons Jack and Thomas playing with it.

Following our tour we sat by the River Dee for a while in lovely sunshine, but soon decided to retreat to the Tardis for coffee and cake, and to ponder on what to do next.  In the end we headed back to Braemar and parked in a little car park where we thought we might spend the night, but our immediate plan was to ride along the near deserted minor road to see the Linn of Dee - a place where the river passes through a 300 metre natural rock gorge.  As we cycled towards our goal we were rewarded with the sight of several deer with their young bounding and bonging along a field and leaping over a  fence.

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The Linn of Dee is where a bridge crosses a river and where the river has scoured a narrow channel through the rocks forming a fast flowing torrent that tumbles through the rocky glen providing a speculator sight!

2 Lin s !
From here we continued on our way for another couple of miles, and stumbled across another beauty spot, the Linn of Quoich, and it was here that we sat for coffee and a noggin of Mrs Tilly's fudge.

The road ended here so our choice was to retrace our steps or to continue on a rough cycle trail.  We decided to go back but we had not gone far when John decided we should take a short cut through Mar Lodge grounds.  This track was also a bit rough and we did manage to upset a pack of dogs in somebodies garden (at least 6), but we only needed to go about half a mile before we crossed a bridge and rejoined the road.  The road undulated up and down but it was never very steep and we made good time on our return journey, and we had also been lucky enough to spot another parking area which we decided would make an excellent 'wild-camp' for the night.



We collected the Tardis and proceeded to said spot which was sheltered and secluded, and also high up above the River Dee.  It was probably one of the most beautiful camping places we have had on this holiday, and to add to our delight we were entertained by a buzzard circling and soaring while trying to catch it's dinner.  Our dinner was trout from the Rothiemurchus estate - and very nice it was too.



24th July 2015

We left our lovely parking spot and headed back down to Braemar, and then up to Glenshee where we parked at the Ski Centre and followed a path up to 'The Cairnwell Station' at approx 933 metres.  The way was very steep and because the  scree was loose underfoot it was very precarious in places, and even more treacherous on the way back down.  Initially the path was cluttered with ski lift paraphernalia, but as we climbed higher we mostly left that behind and the views were stunning as we passed Loch Vratachen, and then further on we had far reaching views over other hills and scree slopes in the area.


We eventually achieved the summit and sat and ate our picnic overlooking a fantastic vista where we could see nothing but more hills and slopes - however, the only way down was to retrace our steps - every other way was over precipitous drops that would only be available to an expert piste skier!!


We spotted him watching us as we descended
We returned to the Tardis and were undecided what to do next.  We had thought we would overnight on Glenshee but it was still quite early (2.30pm) and the lower slopes around the ski centre were a bit like a building site, so in the end we set off in search of a more scenic venue.

We travelled through Glenshee and didn't really spot anywhere we fancied stopping so we continued on towards Killicrankie and then on to Lock Tummel.  We eventually parked up at The Queen's View Visitor Centre, and form there visited the view point overlooking Loch Tummel.  It's thought that the site may have been named for Queen Victoria's visit in 1866, but it's more likely related to Isabella of Mar who was the first wife of Robert the Bruce and who is said to have hid in the woods around here in the 13th Century.

Us and Loch Tummel


As there were no parking restrictions in the car park we decided to overnight there and as the evening wore on we were joined by several other vans.












25th July 2015

We headed back to Killicrankie this morning because we wanted to see The Linn of Tummel and Soldiers Leap.  We parked in the visitor centre car park and were soon descending down long flights of steps into the gorge through which the River Garry flows, and it was here that we found 'The Soldiers Leap'.  This is a place where it is said that a Red Coat Soldier - Donald McBane - leapt 18 feet across the River Garry to escape from Jacobite Clansman - he must have been terrified because it looked to be a fearsome jump!



We continued on our way thinking we would walk to the Linn, but we never did quite make it, however  on our way we passed a huge Railway viaduct that was build in 1863 and is still in use today.


By this time we had already walked quite a long way so when the rain started we  changed our plan and retraced our steps to the Visitors Centre deciding that we would move the van to visit the Linn.

However, by the time we had retraced out steps the rain had stopped, so we passed a bit more time by watching a red squirrel collecting nuts form a box, and also an assortment of small birds feasting from bird feeders.

Eventually we moved on and travelled a couple of miles down the road and parked in the Linn of Tummel car park where we had lunch and then proceeded back down to the river.  Here we observed the unexpected spectacle of The Highland Fling Bungee jumpers.  This was where members of the public could pay to fling themselves off a platform under the Garry Bridge - we didn't bother stopping to have a go!!

We walked on for another mile or so and came to the rougher waters where Loch Tummel discharges into The Linn of Tummel before entering the River Garry forming fast flowing rapids and little waterfalls.  It was here that the white water rafters were playing - but we gave that a miss too!!  For us the walk was about being allowed to see this spectacular stretch of the River Garry and that provided enough excitement and entertainment for us.






After seeing nature's fantastic show we decided we had waked far enough for one day (about 9 miles) so we returned to the van and set off in search of a sleeping place for tonight.





We drove along a narrow twisty B road at the side of Loch Tummel, and this was where we nearly came to grief  when a huge coach appeared in the middle of the road around a blind bend.  However, we were soon safely on our way again following a bit of manoeuvring by both the bus driver and John - we all breathed in at once and got safely passed!

Our onward journey took us through Kinloch Rannock and as we didn't see any appropriate parking areas where we could stop for the night we continued on to a little Forestry Commission Camp Site called Kilvrecht.
The site is very informal and basic and absolutely no signs telling us what we can and can't do!  All we had to do was drive on and pick our own spot, then the warden called in the morning for the money.  The facilities were just about non existent, but all we needed was space for our 4 wheels and a good view so for the fee of just  £8 we are quite happy.

Anyway, that's all for now 😚




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Tuesday 21 July 2015

Heading for the Hills

Heading for the Hills

18th July 2015


We left West Beach Camp Site and said goodbye to the sea for the time being, and headed for Culloden stopping off at Findhorn and Nairn on the way.  At this time we were on the lookout for good spots for overnight camping and we thought Findhorn may fit the bill, however when we arrived and parked in the huge car park behind the beach we found numerous signs saying this was not allowed. Findhorn is located on a little spit of land that boarders the coast line of the Moray Firth.  We set off for a short walk over the sand dunes to Findhorn's wonderful beach - which to the west extends only as far as the mouth of Findhorn Bay, but to the east, it extends for seven miles. Findhorn is also home to the Findhorn Foundation - a community based on spiritual values, which was founded on a caravan site in 1962 and which has grown and developed since then.

No Overnight Parking at Findhorn
We didn't linger long at Findhorn, but continued on our way to Nairn where we found a nice parking spot close to the beach where we stopped for a while to have coffee, then after our break we set off for a walk and headed down to the harbour. Here we met the Harbour Master and took the opportunity to discuses overnight camping with him.  He informed us that there is no law of trespass in Scotland as such, and that basically, as long as you are sensible and not causing any harm you can mostly park anywhere.  He went on to tell us that that the previous night there had been 10 motor homes parked on the quay side, and he also pointed out another small parking area nearby that is regularly used.


However, we were not ready to set  up camp at that time, and as we had laundry to sort, we headed for The Caravan Club Culloden Moor site which proved to be a good choice because it was only a short walk to our next point of interest which was The Culloden Moor Battle field.  The site is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and it was here that we were persuaded to sign up as members again. We had paid £19.50 to get in, but they only wanted £41.25 (senior membership) for us to be full members for the whole year, so it seemed like a bargain, especially now we have plenty of time to visit their properties.


At The Culloden Visitors Centre we were informed of the sequence of events that lead up to the battle that  occurred on 16th April 1746, and the implications that it had in changing Scottish History. There were also interesting accounts from people who were involved in the battle, and also a brilliant 360 degree immersive film reliving the horror of the fight. We finished the experience with a walk around the actual battle field which was accompanied by an audio guide with GPS technology that explained what happened on that day.

This cairn marks the area of some of the Jacobite graves 



A Cottage built on the original Farm Site.
I have always wanted to visit Culloden since reading Diane Gabaldon’s excellent time slip books. In them the heroine, Claire is transported back in time to 1746, where she meets and falls in love with Jamie Fraser.  The books have now been made into the series ‘Outlander’ which I have yet to see, but I am definitely looking forward to viewing.

Following our visit we wondered back to the ‘Tardis’, did our washing, and then settled down to be lulled to sleep by rain drumming on the roof.  


19th July 2015

Today we moved on to Glenmore Forest Park in the Caingorms.  I had read about a little business there that promotes wild camping in the Forest and provides for the needs of people doing this with showers, a sauna and loos.  They even allow you to park on their land for free, and only ask that you buy something in their shop or bar. We didn't park on their land because the slope to get to it was a bit to steep for the T4rdis, but not much further down the road we found the Hayfield Car Park where for the sum of £2 we could park all day, and additionally, there were no restrictions on overnight parking. However, we did note that our ticket would expire at midnight and would need to be replaced for the next morning, so overall it cost us £4 - another bargain!
Hayfield Car Park


Following setting up camp we walked down to Lock Morlich and had our picnic lunch on it's shore, and then continued our walk and circumnavigated the loch before returning to the van for a quick cuppa. We then set off again to Lochan Uanine (the Green Lochan) where we found the waterside to be very peaceful but we couldn't linger long because the midges were trying to feast on our flesh!

We made our return journey using a different track - and after a short while the terrain became quite challenging. It was very steep, muddy in places and the path was strewn with tree roots and boulders.


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By the time we got to the top we were both huffing and puffing, but the view across the valley was an excellent reward and made the climb worthwhile. We were also quite lucky because as we got back to the Tardis the heavens opened and the rain poured for the rest of the evening
The Green Lochan

Xmas Trees on the way to the Green Lochan!

20th July Today we moved house before breakfast! whoops I mean we moved the van - about one and a half miles down the road, and parked in another £2 spot right on the edge of Loch Morlich, however we were not alone. The spot was idyllic and It seemed to be quite a favourite place for Motor homes to overnight - there were several others to keep us company.
Loch Morlich from just in front of the van

Following our move we cooked our breakfast and prepared for a long bike ride! We packed our panniers with lots of goodies and set off on a cycle track heading towards Coylumbridge and then, following Sustran's route 7 we continued towards Boat of Garten. It was from here that we made our first detour of the day - to the Osprey Centre on the bank of Loch Garten.
We were hoping to see both the Ospreys and their chicks, but on both counts we failed. The Centre has a nesting pair of Ospreys - EJ (the female) and Odin (the male) who return each year and usually successfully raise 1 or 2 chicks. However, this year the eggs where lost - they think Odin kicked them our of the nest, so with no chicks to tether them to the nest both EJ and Odin were spending their time on a number of different perches around and about, but out of sight of the hide but not it's cameras. Apparently the birds don't usually leave the nest area because it would be likely that other ospreys would move in and claim it as theirs, so they stay in the vicinity and
guard it, thus staking their claim for the following year. We could see Odin on the web cam but there was no sign of EJ - one of the rangers told us that maybe she was off at the Rothiemurchus trout fishery from where she regularly steels fish!...
John having a minute outside the Osprey Centre

It should have cost a tenner to go in but as we're members of the RSPB it was free - good job as there was no main event!!
Coffee break on the edge of Loch Garten
We retraced our tyre tracks back to the Boat of Garten and continued along Sustran's route 7 till we picked up the Spey Side Way, and this proved to be an excellent track that crossed over open country side, and then tipped us out just outside Aviemore.
Me on said cycle track
From here we cycled past the Cairngorm brewery which filled the air with the smell of hops and barley, and of course we had to sample their wares!!

Aviemore itself was very busy and hectic so we rapidly departed and as we went we passed Rothiemurchus fish farm, but still no sign of EJ....

By this time we had spent a lot of energy and I was desperate to find a lunch stop (23 miles) - luckily we soon found a nice comfy bench at Inverdruie - just opposite the Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre and Farm Shop. However, we didn't venture in at that time but hopefully we will return as we leave this area in a couple of days.

From here we continued on our way towards Feshiebridge but were sidetracked again to visit Loch Eilein. This is on Rothiemurchus land, and for the honour of visiting cars have to pay £1.50 per passenger, but as we were on our bikes we entered for free. We had another coffee stop here but unfortunately the peaceful tranquillity was disturbed by the roaring of RAF jets circling as if they were playing tag!!

Loch Eilein
Anyway, forwards and onwards but we didn't get much further before we found another point of interest in the form of Frank Bruce's Sculpture Trail. He died in 2009 but left behind some very weird but interesting pieces of work which are now displayed in a little park area.













By now it was about 4.30pm and we still had quite a long way to go. Also the skies were starting to look quite ominous so we decided to head back to the Tardis as quickly as possible, however we still continued to be sidetracked and felt the need to stop at a little shop in Kincraig to buy strawberries - it was a good decision because they were delicious .  

Our return from here was less peaceful (because we were on a busy road) but it was still quite beautiful, especially when we passed Loch Alvie. Luckily a lot of the way was downhill so we made quite good time until we got back to Inverdruie, where we picked up another cycle track which started undulating - but mostly upwards! However, it took us all the way back to a camping spot and we just made it before the rain came in earnest. In all we cycled 45 miles so we were soon ready to be tucked up snug in our beds.


21st July 2015

Biathlon Day!! (energetic cycling and walking)

Today John decided we would cycle up the road to the ski centre at Cairngorm!! He said it was about 5 miles and there was only one black arrow on the map (which signifies a gradient of 14 - 20%) so I felt reasonably reassured that I would be able to manage it - I was nearly sick! Luckily the really steep bit was at the beginning of the hill, and as we got further up the gradient eased. As we were riding the first bit I did ask myself 'why are we doing this', but as we got further up the views opened out, and as we got to the top there was a great sense of achievement - so that answered my question. Also, being as John got to the top first he left his bike propped at the side of the road and came back down a short distance to cheer me on 'Tour de France' style - he made me laugh.




At the top we got our trusty flask of coffee out and following a quick break we started our decent. It had taken about an hour to ride up but we were safely back down in about 10 minuets! I kept telling John 20 is plenty - but he was so far in front I don't think he could hear !

We went and collected the van and then drove back up the same hill to a parking spot we had noted on our first ascent. We thought we would have it to ourselves but as the evening drew in more vans arrived and in all there about 10 of us up here now but there is plenty of room.

our spot before all the neighbours arrived.
We are about 700 metres up but during the afternoon we climbed even high. We followed a footpath for about 2 miles up through the bolder fields below the Cairngorm Summit. On the photo below you can just about see the continuation of the trail as it heads for the peak but we felt it was probably beyond our ability for today as we had already had lots of exercise earlier.

The path is on the left of the picture and the white blobs are snow in July!
The Boulder Fields
At this point we sat for a while to admire the view, and luckily, although the wind was howling around the sun was out so it was quite warm, then after a while we started to make our way down, and again, we completed this journey in a much shorter time than when we had made our ascent.




We finally made our way back to the ski centre where we did a bit of shopping (I brought John a T-shirt). and we stood and admired the ski sculpture and the Funicular railway which we could have taken up!!


Since our adventures of today we have been back in the van enjoying our lovely camping place and another Wildcat beer. Tomorrow we will move on again to Braemar but that will be another story.