Managed to drag myself out of my bed suffering from pre-walk nerves. Luckily my wife was driving me to Buckie so shoved me out of the door with my 14kg pack. The more astute of you would say ’14kg, crazy weight!’, but I was trying to simulate a longer walk without supply so had 3l water and enough food for 4 days. Well that idea lasted as long as it took me to give in to a alluring Cornish pasty at Fochabers.

The drive to Buckie was largely through rain, but conveniently cleared up before we arrived. A large latte was procured to see me off. Not the best idea, since the next stint, while a pleasant walk down the coast to Port Gordon, was, due to the lack of facilities or privacy, a punch up between my bladder and said latte. 

Much to my relief the next stretch to Spey Bay was along a secluded old railway line and throw pine woods. Very warm and sunny for late October. The path to Fochabers and beyond offered occasional views of the Spey but few obvious places to camp. Found a little spot short of Boat o’ Brig and put Ainsley Harriot to the test. Or at least his couscous.

Hoping to drop in to a distillery tomorrow!