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. 😀