I felt refreshed after my stop at the excellent campsite, and set off in good spirits, largely due to the pasty in my sack…

The path to Nethy Bridge was pleasant, following the old railway line in part, but unremarkable. After a while a couple passed me on bikes and had a chat. I was to stalk them for the rest of the day.

At Nethy Bridge used the loos and caught up with the cyclists for another chat. The path out leads though the Abernethy nature reserve, very pretty but hopelessly way marked, can’t be sure I followed the Speyside Way at all! Overall the section to Boat of Garten was very pretty and I heard my first Capercaillie. At times though it seemed like the set of The Blair Witch Project….

Boat of Garten had an excellent café with great cake, heartily recommended. It also had the two cyclists from earlier, another chat. They were nervously checking the exits mind you.

The Sustrans enhanced path to Aviemore gave wonderful view of the Cairngorms.

A great bonus was stumbling across the Cairngorm Brewery for a celebratory pint with locals and a retired couple from Massachusetts.

Now for the train home!

Day started pleasantly from Balindalloch, double porridge breakfast and an orderly exit down the old railway line.

However, after crossing the A95, the words of the walkers I’d met earlier came back to me: ‘avoid that section, it’s no fun’. It is indeed not. It was said that the local landowner wasn’t very cooperative when the way was created, so it winds and zigzags and is badly maintained. Bogs of churned up farmland, narrow channels with barbed wire, over fencing seemingly bulldozed by tractors. And then it rained.

Finally making it to Cromdale, my misery was compounded by a shut pub. No choice but another 4 1/2 miles to Grantown. 

My luck changed, the weather brightened, the waterproofs were stowed and the last section was though Anagach Woods, a lovely walk. 

My joy at seeing a chippy open was unbounded. While waiting I dropped a bottle of coke I’d just bought from them, it exploded all over the floor! The first thought of the lovely girl behind the counter was to give me a new one. She then almost suggested it was her pleasure to clean up as it kept her busy. Quality place, ‘The Royal Fish Bar’. Recommended.

Now in a town and not wanting to proceed, tried a nearby camping and caravan park. Wonderfully friendly, a nice little pitch and heated shower block. The lap of luxury. http://www.caravanscotland.com

So shit day, but ended lovely. 😀

Weather is clearing up nicely so Tuesday it should be!