tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224966772024-03-07T06:22:21.836+00:00alan sloman's big walkAlan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comBlogger1235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-52933042215002726602024-01-16T18:11:00.001+00:002024-01-16T18:11:11.913+00:00TGO Challenge 2022, Days 13-14, Tarfside to St Cyrus (published from a saved draft)<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY 13: TARFSIDE TO NORTH WATER BRIDGE</u></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4B72ZpjtMHvWnuoJAhowTt_bryE-El1X8eG4Z1MIgRti_wS4OYRbP6qFSHEymQKDKsnXk0PkIWhXABAYBeq59or_McuJW-9oGcYsWwXAhuHRt7NokC65APiydT4wbOntQmy5K7Bphkwlxb7b4CoTXo_eyZo06gQxSUfbGHpzN6JiSwyaX6w/s1382/Screenshot%202022-11-10%20195844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1382" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4B72ZpjtMHvWnuoJAhowTt_bryE-El1X8eG4Z1MIgRti_wS4OYRbP6qFSHEymQKDKsnXk0PkIWhXABAYBeq59or_McuJW-9oGcYsWwXAhuHRt7NokC65APiydT4wbOntQmy5K7Bphkwlxb7b4CoTXo_eyZo06gQxSUfbGHpzN6JiSwyaX6w/w640-h410/Screenshot%202022-11-10%20195844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 13, WEDNESDAY. RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE IN NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 27.0 km<div>Ascent: 150 m</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOaev1Oo2i_uWABwkHImVZTIkOX0V9N2gnSsbtxqTXyehI2oKJx17Nc4vAQNlyA1ZESWZ751rIEcygUg--BSvVZj9Xkgf_-bRTwgQz-P-C6k6vhjguVKMVkpur70C8EmY2JEAKZrBDCvBykhvO7ASYTmRticYWPOlbjSn4PyABIq76eBqS4w/s4032/20220525_075350.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOaev1Oo2i_uWABwkHImVZTIkOX0V9N2gnSsbtxqTXyehI2oKJx17Nc4vAQNlyA1ZESWZ751rIEcygUg--BSvVZj9Xkgf_-bRTwgQz-P-C6k6vhjguVKMVkpur70C8EmY2JEAKZrBDCvBykhvO7ASYTmRticYWPOlbjSn4PyABIq76eBqS4w/w300-h400/20220525_075350.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOUISE & BARRY AT ST DROSTAN'S</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AkWaUNoTk6LVz3iXnLXF82_zQUztUSbHJzYIBJOUguwUi0_hBKGeJHnDiEOBVqJU0OIAWdYR7d_daZbozmgQekAVddpA_8Y6KOHm5o6Q3yLFz3k6IfqGKlA6tk9gwex-AEf9lIB2duPPPvmafJDqTrAmI2ZT5NFYxgi6CfVW8nD4ZtasKY8/s4003/dsc04026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4003" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AkWaUNoTk6LVz3iXnLXF82_zQUztUSbHJzYIBJOUguwUi0_hBKGeJHnDiEOBVqJU0OIAWdYR7d_daZbozmgQekAVddpA_8Y6KOHm5o6Q3yLFz3k6IfqGKlA6tk9gwex-AEf9lIB2duPPPvmafJDqTrAmI2ZT5NFYxgi6CfVW8nD4ZtasKY8/w640-h360/dsc04026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TWEEDLEDUM & TWEEDLEDEE: EMMA'S PICTURE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5mJ2HZXyvr5hvYht1KVCG-Y8DNnR0b66LZfJQ7jXhXDbhqAMcYeul0I_arlmU1U9FUDZtKRVkEa9IXs538GxONt8YUVbivAYgTiE46lIBALwLFW3Gki5tbn-Cg-LSgXTcPw_dD9cHKjZnF9YbL-AanOUXXORO16iWszdqm2o9cLkgXzegCs/s4032/20220525_133755.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5mJ2HZXyvr5hvYht1KVCG-Y8DNnR0b66LZfJQ7jXhXDbhqAMcYeul0I_arlmU1U9FUDZtKRVkEa9IXs538GxONt8YUVbivAYgTiE46lIBALwLFW3Gki5tbn-Cg-LSgXTcPw_dD9cHKjZnF9YbL-AanOUXXORO16iWszdqm2o9cLkgXzegCs/w640-h480/20220525_133755.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GRAHAM ON THE SNIPER'S BRIDGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76h-mKRby-oIx5RJZmEX8EEejFAhmAfMDS5MEUXXCkOZZ2E5jRf0jTDe2v_-3ttmzUdX7bvxgdxJdLiSa0_xXBb5_bBH3nbEpMSRZwVmlQNpBfvz-D_oIt0a8_dWN-3z3axY0mJymelyt4sKerexVmGZre6QP1FIQ4pJMOy_lbduDCXhc_EI/s4032/20220525_133814.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76h-mKRby-oIx5RJZmEX8EEejFAhmAfMDS5MEUXXCkOZZ2E5jRf0jTDe2v_-3ttmzUdX7bvxgdxJdLiSa0_xXBb5_bBH3nbEpMSRZwVmlQNpBfvz-D_oIt0a8_dWN-3z3axY0mJymelyt4sKerexVmGZre6QP1FIQ4pJMOy_lbduDCXhc_EI/w480-h640/20220525_133814.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA, SNIPER'S BRIDGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YFzYoA34dYBC-xjPoUTzHSHS5yKXKYl-kwmquAj0Zq6a5Up3G9OlbPJ1YIdEBj9lLMHwJXueShS_hvz0GgytHargi9j0K_hrQ3fYAzrDyZqfRKfum0jWy-HQMs_ZCK-T3xSNsLfl4wklOzdHKFjS_GkTu9qMRFqhh-TlOpvJvrPXSjMGNTg/s4032/20220525_141135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YFzYoA34dYBC-xjPoUTzHSHS5yKXKYl-kwmquAj0Zq6a5Up3G9OlbPJ1YIdEBj9lLMHwJXueShS_hvz0GgytHargi9j0K_hrQ3fYAzrDyZqfRKfum0jWy-HQMs_ZCK-T3xSNsLfl4wklOzdHKFjS_GkTu9qMRFqhh-TlOpvJvrPXSjMGNTg/w300-h400/20220525_141135.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LEAVE THE ROAD HERE FOR THE BLUE DOOR WALK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBPw506ljmMySBLcjKCjjNZfsrzzJEqNt3dVQyqMMDsFEZBTY6pZFVDo2C75FBwEmuIVRRtZvl4WnWp1LnycPd9C1lNzTaPvk-LsTp_UlD2wMwDIZqG3X99NopjxCDX1CX6UU4fwy90AtzjKTIondjBB_15kuQ6Ll4W7KSjduzJ9BI5w_px8/s4032/20220525_141557.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBPw506ljmMySBLcjKCjjNZfsrzzJEqNt3dVQyqMMDsFEZBTY6pZFVDo2C75FBwEmuIVRRtZvl4WnWp1LnycPd9C1lNzTaPvk-LsTp_UlD2wMwDIZqG3X99NopjxCDX1CX6UU4fwy90AtzjKTIondjBB_15kuQ6Ll4W7KSjduzJ9BI5w_px8/w480-h640/20220525_141557.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GRAHAM & EMMA ON THE BLUE DOOR WALK: RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3FvqQvMz79-5kNphK9Z41zzeZjrXXu1k4fmuyemGnnYv-nfyXBo031NH8UaYDOE26b5piIdbObgixf1j5elY2npqjv9g2gTs9bSh5RLee4QLqj5o7NR6eLhRpbnLRRBJXNmYKhXgr2BkcTcrcfX-k8xF9zKfwtm95DyMPARbbgnuOEeaV10/s4032/20220525_165743.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3FvqQvMz79-5kNphK9Z41zzeZjrXXu1k4fmuyemGnnYv-nfyXBo031NH8UaYDOE26b5piIdbObgixf1j5elY2npqjv9g2gTs9bSh5RLee4QLqj5o7NR6eLhRpbnLRRBJXNmYKhXgr2BkcTcrcfX-k8xF9zKfwtm95DyMPARbbgnuOEeaV10/w480-h640/20220525_165743.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA ASTRIDE THE NORTH ESK C/O THE AMERICAN AIRFORCE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsktvy3_QA0rxIcKamnFm1XxZFnG0RwDQEx_6-q3BF7heYvgEw4joZFwUFYIDoz8THBFyO8bRU466RmtuNfS3dm5RqVYLGhXLXzPjW6FqQ1D-AxveNERTk4i_VpKvUlu846TR4bwGarzfy-i7Evud46AR9eeOgJ24dtH5cB1vV01wjGGkDmc/s4896/dsc04036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="4896" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsktvy3_QA0rxIcKamnFm1XxZFnG0RwDQEx_6-q3BF7heYvgEw4joZFwUFYIDoz8THBFyO8bRU466RmtuNfS3dm5RqVYLGhXLXzPjW6FqQ1D-AxveNERTk4i_VpKvUlu846TR4bwGarzfy-i7Evud46AR9eeOgJ24dtH5cB1vV01wjGGkDmc/w640-h360/dsc04036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA'S PICTURE: LIGHTWEIGHT SHELTERS. L-R: IAN, LOUISE, EMMA, ME, ESTHER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyehHdilqQxZ4pQ6xoOQO6zmp27TguU2iSAqI_k6siSZ7kjiM57oxRdyH2Lcrcs0pxlgHJxdTRyeTBzNpjJTzjVZhRW5jfa_dXmeCoyr3ay_vXuZlpZDOA7RQNQhOlsJeK2j_YbweB36C8JQvbXPucg0GP2vInEz8E2_x6eJKILXvqkrYtqjM/s1779/Screenshot_20220525-205515_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1779" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyehHdilqQxZ4pQ6xoOQO6zmp27TguU2iSAqI_k6siSZ7kjiM57oxRdyH2Lcrcs0pxlgHJxdTRyeTBzNpjJTzjVZhRW5jfa_dXmeCoyr3ay_vXuZlpZDOA7RQNQhOlsJeK2j_YbweB36C8JQvbXPucg0GP2vInEz8E2_x6eJKILXvqkrYtqjM/w242-h400/Screenshot_20220525-205515_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A LONGISH DAY, BUT WITH DECENT BREAKS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNN8e_gUeL6MTldN6W-cZDGSLZ-hN71jjS5UEH_9zoadVX4MG56kRPGqivWv0xg1bWlzsTDRJ7_K_Ph2hV2mKkaf77VFBD8-m_P6H8aGZZ56LOQdU1kJ_CDtHwNrqYtur_wihnSroQEObOYBIBWSSDJFUcfIwj-_2t5R4p_yM-tzpxV3QMmIY/s2044/Screenshot_20220525-205429_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNN8e_gUeL6MTldN6W-cZDGSLZ-hN71jjS5UEH_9zoadVX4MG56kRPGqivWv0xg1bWlzsTDRJ7_K_Ph2hV2mKkaf77VFBD8-m_P6H8aGZZ56LOQdU1kJ_CDtHwNrqYtur_wihnSroQEObOYBIBWSSDJFUcfIwj-_2t5R4p_yM-tzpxV3QMmIY/w211-h400/Screenshot_20220525-205429_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY 14: NORTH WATER BRIDGE TO ST CYRUS</u></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u><br /></u></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3mLK0WZX-9CyqVIa3iDhZr9Vo43iOZr5mm5Nie0JEpzj9MzItQ7mwckhhipLZwO7LBJjBrNnkJC_rqgrMSOlbmskI_eub4JpuN4yKWp4bR0meThbJUB4PrF5kmtNfyJJenQM955jfgqj1anYccFqdcChGoHtoipHSOJupEaUY3-HOHwTH3I/s1787/Screenshot%202022-11-10%20200551.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1787" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3mLK0WZX-9CyqVIa3iDhZr9Vo43iOZr5mm5Nie0JEpzj9MzItQ7mwckhhipLZwO7LBJjBrNnkJC_rqgrMSOlbmskI_eub4JpuN4yKWp4bR0meThbJUB4PrF5kmtNfyJJenQM955jfgqj1anYccFqdcChGoHtoipHSOJupEaUY3-HOHwTH3I/w640-h316/Screenshot%202022-11-10%20200551.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 14: NWB TO ST CYRUS NATURE RESERVE. RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE IN NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJznL7ZeiV0Pt9THXYX0M0TM-tNwErbnrlAISsOPd0QoU078ieXfvLPokgdOUtxEZEaHe17Bd7u4En9URzCmQP4zofJdJzN8q8POlXpu3u-m8HhRVgpKbBnvS9A7WCfWYe_tUmI5Tx67OYYEWNFPjMme9qbNlUExy7I6b5Sdm_i6HlMMJcIDw/s3756/282347504_409790171161186_1387377330624572730_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3033" data-original-width="3756" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJznL7ZeiV0Pt9THXYX0M0TM-tNwErbnrlAISsOPd0QoU078ieXfvLPokgdOUtxEZEaHe17Bd7u4En9URzCmQP4zofJdJzN8q8POlXpu3u-m8HhRVgpKbBnvS9A7WCfWYe_tUmI5Tx67OYYEWNFPjMme9qbNlUExy7I6b5Sdm_i6HlMMJcIDw/w400-h323/282347504_409790171161186_1387377330624572730_n%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BREAKFAST PIE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsF2BJSsbQXGfi1GYhh7M6yEfy04L5UD3cIB5tEwbxjDlN3GJrObT9jawl6IHWTJhwRtVwYjQ5utSy5MHKw0tDJyD18ZiRkmd9RXjKybQHrfUq-eI_QUaS4k39MxjVIxigvXgYsusmez6Q0gTxxDTI3hRRXQ7OKGtaZKngopa1weL6iZE48k/s3719/20220526_082445.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="3719" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsF2BJSsbQXGfi1GYhh7M6yEfy04L5UD3cIB5tEwbxjDlN3GJrObT9jawl6IHWTJhwRtVwYjQ5utSy5MHKw0tDJyD18ZiRkmd9RXjKybQHrfUq-eI_QUaS4k39MxjVIxigvXgYsusmez6Q0gTxxDTI3hRRXQ7OKGtaZKngopa1weL6iZE48k/w640-h490/20220526_082445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA, IAN, KEVIN, LOUISE, BARRY AND ESTHER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLQr-dKBMB_-QYtWEoQcXr80yqX5DNfRfuKgeyFXbHGp8CtGb94lIZ02h4yPMZmcoRM2sy23qMs_7bQtF2HjnBTiNhzzUx8p33yTJcFYBho-E7jJsW610_loss3wK2vclDt9Pd4jtrz9IR_NtRuldwUIeVxA2ifjGtM7xhWasrr7YHwpMvuY/s4032/20220526_084544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLQr-dKBMB_-QYtWEoQcXr80yqX5DNfRfuKgeyFXbHGp8CtGb94lIZ02h4yPMZmcoRM2sy23qMs_7bQtF2HjnBTiNhzzUx8p33yTJcFYBho-E7jJsW610_loss3wK2vclDt9Pd4jtrz9IR_NtRuldwUIeVxA2ifjGtM7xhWasrr7YHwpMvuY/w480-h640/20220526_084544.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">INDEED</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeYXvCUjx1WGfQ32pcAUsBAcJ03cG8vc3BH_EFCcr-4RFv3ScxwT6VRizT_wDhCsNgvm0y5nM1hIpvRqIDsKmtWqEqEr2tJVnWlgHsKU6UBvJfoEuoLfqDnNwEjLLMIFQ6QrODU1_ueTWIHgTD3pmjJNugFJoihFKFyI0slVdNBdaXhhnRi4/s3850/20220526_090710.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2466" data-original-width="3850" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeYXvCUjx1WGfQ32pcAUsBAcJ03cG8vc3BH_EFCcr-4RFv3ScxwT6VRizT_wDhCsNgvm0y5nM1hIpvRqIDsKmtWqEqEr2tJVnWlgHsKU6UBvJfoEuoLfqDnNwEjLLMIFQ6QrODU1_ueTWIHgTD3pmjJNugFJoihFKFyI0slVdNBdaXhhnRi4/w640-h410/20220526_090710.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MUCH LIKE MANY CHALLENGERS; DECAYING GRANDEUR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eXmwgwwdePNunODPH5XxzTuqvb0aKhSDm2H9RE1CyUpuByGnRpwj5TQsMZjpTPfboVQJUf3yU6DXew75S-hSe1IQYpfZy6MgVhYeaQgkXjj5yid5inrIYZ12l5brXU243aFHBMq5LDVGC788seD-PhZGBoauPI3FpXDwfT6bQxqs2fF0duo/s4000/IMG_20220526_091443.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eXmwgwwdePNunODPH5XxzTuqvb0aKhSDm2H9RE1CyUpuByGnRpwj5TQsMZjpTPfboVQJUf3yU6DXew75S-hSe1IQYpfZy6MgVhYeaQgkXjj5yid5inrIYZ12l5brXU243aFHBMq5LDVGC788seD-PhZGBoauPI3FpXDwfT6bQxqs2fF0duo/w300-h400/IMG_20220526_091443.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOUISE'S PICTURE; WARP SPEED</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1iba4O-pr0D4MsWTG9deiMS0NJhTECa9CAOikI6jInZl6Btg05hA4Ha4lQuKT-EP-rq7StUI353-YPzKhUgOv-pWa5FBq19XAMBxssxfe_RQACWijtLxrYpPlhMOLyQ9uSeB_GWVq79DUcBbMkP2xfHRCAJ4kPI7o2zrFCBQVIImQnhOkng/s3205/Last%20day%20photo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1941" data-original-width="3205" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1iba4O-pr0D4MsWTG9deiMS0NJhTECa9CAOikI6jInZl6Btg05hA4Ha4lQuKT-EP-rq7StUI353-YPzKhUgOv-pWa5FBq19XAMBxssxfe_RQACWijtLxrYpPlhMOLyQ9uSeB_GWVq79DUcBbMkP2xfHRCAJ4kPI7o2zrFCBQVIImQnhOkng/w640-h388/Last%20day%20photo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA'S PICTURE: THE THREE AT THE BACK. RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE IN NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCCH1xULkhQxZAMbopVJsZhG-JDk8jFxmjVo69sEduUfklIrvbFz31nZJZzGhtbDQ5qzwkdBgk3j-gYZCINxNioJlSiZWTeaDn2hzSTxszVqHE6_V9UrA9-ahAk81vCnqzhdQrCFLHhIa_E8ZN8RXZfltkXXGXFC3_LFOrU7Yq3WDeivHKfE/s4032/20220526_111541.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCCH1xULkhQxZAMbopVJsZhG-JDk8jFxmjVo69sEduUfklIrvbFz31nZJZzGhtbDQ5qzwkdBgk3j-gYZCINxNioJlSiZWTeaDn2hzSTxszVqHE6_V9UrA9-ahAk81vCnqzhdQrCFLHhIa_E8ZN8RXZfltkXXGXFC3_LFOrU7Yq3WDeivHKfE/w640-h480/20220526_111541.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ANGUS FIELDS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNswAX8H9gZWqytyL0Nw3g6j8vl8XIg_GVo87xTbD1hGZvgo4uH37KdXTsUy_v1YwNTbYEXELVYP9DyHdRqbLK5AostlXxddhS5UAUmdHhnU2BLSqEKX8JAcQLF4_90hWarR8aLULlCLMS2kkxkx7y5L49VVJkwqbduhP761YMTULxVTpwtw/s4032/20220526_121552.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNswAX8H9gZWqytyL0Nw3g6j8vl8XIg_GVo87xTbD1hGZvgo4uH37KdXTsUy_v1YwNTbYEXELVYP9DyHdRqbLK5AostlXxddhS5UAUmdHhnU2BLSqEKX8JAcQLF4_90hWarR8aLULlCLMS2kkxkx7y5L49VVJkwqbduhP761YMTULxVTpwtw/w640-h480/20220526_121552.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE NORTH SEA<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9W-KUqzyxqOEKN5ATurWm2rDsByY-SmnFocUUz5FFasfp8v4TDPnroRxUYw_4j2hxapgsKmPDFYGhC2DLq7IhDVzzaounNKN7gVw3F7jleZLCxasp6hYRvsU6Aidehlx-8Cd_F4ba41o2AsCQPl1oWcCQRcC2HaCE07ttJC9bs0GniMNtUs/s4032/20220526_121631.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9W-KUqzyxqOEKN5ATurWm2rDsByY-SmnFocUUz5FFasfp8v4TDPnroRxUYw_4j2hxapgsKmPDFYGhC2DLq7IhDVzzaounNKN7gVw3F7jleZLCxasp6hYRvsU6Aidehlx-8Cd_F4ba41o2AsCQPl1oWcCQRcC2HaCE07ttJC9bs0GniMNtUs/w640-h480/20220526_121631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AND THERE THEY WERE: GONE!<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmyQfmhg3gHnHBQ5NoyVXmIaG-6j2Mu_6eUaq6wrh9hGMXVlHjCT-mygn9GD96Q3vecMdY90NIcCcYjW_2IOGolhai_aWEmiDmvu2vvdwqMw2sgLqzb_HBJox2gJyVc5GJPMU6gZZ-Ow9ErpprU9Oqs681d9AY-sTMUKMgzzDRqRW9qr_GNs/s3820/20220526_121642.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3820" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmyQfmhg3gHnHBQ5NoyVXmIaG-6j2Mu_6eUaq6wrh9hGMXVlHjCT-mygn9GD96Q3vecMdY90NIcCcYjW_2IOGolhai_aWEmiDmvu2vvdwqMw2sgLqzb_HBJox2gJyVc5GJPMU6gZZ-Ow9ErpprU9Oqs681d9AY-sTMUKMgzzDRqRW9qr_GNs/w640-h480/20220526_121642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">STILL GONE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKd1DRjp2HnPlelXeLtrs-EyRM1Xn0Pr4x_ReyiCCLV-K-jfHpvq_HY_EEvAf7kgSSdaf_pMOpTD2MibIzPrCaq-8MTHdOj6oEqcSawSFP4qhRS8EvpxrIWqNA7Bgfl22FKIDHBnMKpitHOKhKBnUBJy91RlhyrWXn6Yuv_tnyoyE7x8wF_0/s2022/Screenshot_20220526-143046_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKd1DRjp2HnPlelXeLtrs-EyRM1Xn0Pr4x_ReyiCCLV-K-jfHpvq_HY_EEvAf7kgSSdaf_pMOpTD2MibIzPrCaq-8MTHdOj6oEqcSawSFP4qhRS8EvpxrIWqNA7Bgfl22FKIDHBnMKpitHOKhKBnUBJy91RlhyrWXn6Yuv_tnyoyE7x8wF_0/w214-h400/Screenshot_20220526-143046_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TRULY, BINGE WALKING!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPZ1eoZGQIyyGTWJouaJCi08IpbJ3YGRXTJMGK-F6WsOrEl6Jyjdg6p5W0vAoSXVkBshl-G8KGW75yrJ6LrhSkU7rQ_h87jwk7nG5joYktw8nLLg9gnD5b7YtcoLNYcv4HiV8z0sU_AJx-WvLdRSaxASyYI1bBlU73myEuFYDYySIcsS0R0Y/s1776/Screenshot_20220526-143130_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPZ1eoZGQIyyGTWJouaJCi08IpbJ3YGRXTJMGK-F6WsOrEl6Jyjdg6p5W0vAoSXVkBshl-G8KGW75yrJ6LrhSkU7rQ_h87jwk7nG5joYktw8nLLg9gnD5b7YtcoLNYcv4HiV8z0sU_AJx-WvLdRSaxASyYI1bBlU73myEuFYDYySIcsS0R0Y/w244-h400/Screenshot_20220526-143130_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCi-LplvnfR-ui8YTMsPzhAjZnYSyehwFdcbKZAd40_Kix1FxQSRr8-SKer0-mKLAH1TmQYlXpceu94ouNo5Oqxcm7VWxwe_LFjnHNhtzYxBsr53dLaNqEqJi1FIzKGnDaEzPekiY1w6zXlDF2uOKeRAvQJooe_eFe9lPqaIZlaBbVxWl8ZM/s3725/20220526_171008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2618" data-original-width="3725" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCi-LplvnfR-ui8YTMsPzhAjZnYSyehwFdcbKZAd40_Kix1FxQSRr8-SKer0-mKLAH1TmQYlXpceu94ouNo5Oqxcm7VWxwe_LFjnHNhtzYxBsr53dLaNqEqJi1FIzKGnDaEzPekiY1w6zXlDF2uOKeRAvQJooe_eFe9lPqaIZlaBbVxWl8ZM/w400-h281/20220526_171008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheN-USWQfll_UuENl6jMDbzo_RK0kNVmX-l9b_GTLT4XpPWpCeZNuEbVGZ1O-zif8ODM98NoGGyK1a-ZPeijrgLPw45eEPdvIa4zQ26y47jtE2i9GikrCGzHwrClhcMe1p035JPRrdXnz9IvZ7xTvPeDH7PYMKZhzO8ap0kXRbAnP5t2E1j7o/s2969/20220526_171044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="2969" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheN-USWQfll_UuENl6jMDbzo_RK0kNVmX-l9b_GTLT4XpPWpCeZNuEbVGZ1O-zif8ODM98NoGGyK1a-ZPeijrgLPw45eEPdvIa4zQ26y47jtE2i9GikrCGzHwrClhcMe1p035JPRrdXnz9IvZ7xTvPeDH7PYMKZhzO8ap0kXRbAnP5t2E1j7o/w400-h363/20220526_171044.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmpioeCCGP64B2iQuV06FFxcoAIKsGU9kv5d9pI6nXbMS1ipj4r8SqOWlDl9756UsY-FUuqc_0r8dmqawqNx_8-pwMhkPrAG9Gwj0Pv_WJINBWKrZkwFT-aVPoYBlmBF5Rysfrf-xEEqNZKGVK15x6omBSObkov_r9KJOCYW3-gnOGQkA_g8/s3216/20220526_210819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="2821" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmpioeCCGP64B2iQuV06FFxcoAIKsGU9kv5d9pI6nXbMS1ipj4r8SqOWlDl9756UsY-FUuqc_0r8dmqawqNx_8-pwMhkPrAG9Gwj0Pv_WJINBWKrZkwFT-aVPoYBlmBF5Rysfrf-xEEqNZKGVK15x6omBSObkov_r9KJOCYW3-gnOGQkA_g8/w562-h640/20220526_210819.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeCbkGRLlj64Q98V4RHN3cYFNegDi-VHb_2gjpSGTameeTQ2RdjtI9OQlvWPAToex1FxihpMoUn3Vv1qsF2-HYOronPPSugSfF8shE2h8L_9Z4yLLkIJ9JUPTYiBcfx5x0LIQysjS8dx4ZZFt6L_0bBoPY8JQpF-a50jOORXJnB0yuhGf5Vc/s2643/20220526_222501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2246" data-original-width="2643" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeCbkGRLlj64Q98V4RHN3cYFNegDi-VHb_2gjpSGTameeTQ2RdjtI9OQlvWPAToex1FxihpMoUn3Vv1qsF2-HYOronPPSugSfF8shE2h8L_9Z4yLLkIJ9JUPTYiBcfx5x0LIQysjS8dx4ZZFt6L_0bBoPY8JQpF-a50jOORXJnB0yuhGf5Vc/w640-h544/20220526_222501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;">In loving memory of Alan Sloman (1955-2023)</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p82OlZ28MQ0" width="586" youtube-src-id="p82OlZ28MQ0"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-50546574683294125482023-01-26T21:27:00.006+00:002023-01-27T02:00:51.192+00:00TGO Challenge 2022, Days 10-12, Braemar to Tarfside<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY TEN, SUNDAY AFTERNOON: BRAEMAR - GELDER SHIEL</u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the midst of a complicated discussion with my B&B landlady about access rights to her business my phone pinged. It was Emma. I'd obviously missed her first message of an hour ago and this second had me in a flat panic. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Are you standing me up?"</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was now ten thirty and I'd been totally engrossed in my conversation with my landlady. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'd arranged to meet Em at nine thirty at the cafe. Christ, this was not the best start to my day!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Rewinding a little to last night, our evening had gone along really well and I'd decided that I would skip my route to Clova and Tarfside, to instead have some lovely company, which had been sadly lacking so far on this walk, and take it easy to Tarfside via Gelder Shiel and the Shielin of Mark. Of course there was the matter of my room that I'd booked and paid for at Clova but I then bumped into Tim from Manchester who was himself about to set off up to Callater Lodge and then Clova. We agreed that the room was his for free. He gladly accepted to take my place and prepared himself for a session on the rack to stretch himself to six feet with impossibly skinny legs. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">So that was that; I could now grovel profusely at my appalling time keeping and bad manners and settle down to a decent lunch in the cafe with Emma. Of course I had dived down to the cafe without packing and so I had to drag the poor girl back to my room so she could watch me shove my life support system into an impossibly small rucksack. Finally we set off for what for me should be three fairly easy days in delightful company. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Experienced Challengers may well have spotted a really, really bad mistake here. But enough of that for the moment, we'll get back to it later.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TgzWyTRRRuiW9bMrSO9SlC3JH15W3Psb1Mt9HxRuM2YviUh4RSmMehvM3r7_omcNF2U_3Vp01vBLOu_k0zFdLcH2H2l9mqs0AFQSpV0e2e8XJx4TXn8xPFVs2Kj17cIi6CNUZC3sXigPSmKBPk5m019whqU01eVv-nGxJXs7J_bF9g4ZBIo/s3970/20220522_143427.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2326" data-original-width="3970" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TgzWyTRRRuiW9bMrSO9SlC3JH15W3Psb1Mt9HxRuM2YviUh4RSmMehvM3r7_omcNF2U_3Vp01vBLOu_k0zFdLcH2H2l9mqs0AFQSpV0e2e8XJx4TXn8xPFVs2Kj17cIi6CNUZC3sXigPSmKBPk5m019whqU01eVv-nGxJXs7J_bF9g4ZBIo/w640-h374/20220522_143427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">FOOTBRIDGE OVER THE FALLS OF GARBH ALLT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the delights of the A93 to Ballater, the Ballochbuie Forest comes as calming respite. In here you're unlikely to be barged off the road by coaches full of pensioners who are generally younger than most Challengers. There are no startling car horns or angry fists waved by motoristas in their warm and comfortable cars, listening to beautiful music as you plod with the world on your shoulders facing death at every bend in the road. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's not to say that you won't meet any traffic in the forest; In the past I have come across a pair of beautifully polished dark green Range Rovers, purveying the Royal Protection Squad and Liz herself; both vehicles' occupants equally polite and charming. Over the last few weeks I've wondered what the boys in their Airforce Blue or Army Green jumpers have made of Harry's recent spat with his family? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back in our world for a moment, I noticed that Emma, rather foolishly in my opinion, had her maps stowed and was actually allowing me to navigate our way through this perilous landscape. I took my chance and offered her delights beyond anyone's wildest imaginations. I led her, blindfolded, up a route steeper than was strictly necessary to the historic bridge over the Falls of Garbh Allt. I spun her around three times, removed her blindfold and introduced her to Queen Victoria's favourite skinny dipping pool.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhZOCBMsVbSJN00EeyezOEeaUnPccYlquRkvIVx-RmeKUH-8QzEPjDB_DLlQBg61f_olPgW9JdEwLvU9vPjCtXA3yM2h1fL_dElahhh4T-LPlQ_PvzexWfURTHJbJEc3Zva6Ofds6kYJBP_hE_t0TpW6F4hQLGdNUmqD7Q2pfUJGDRJtGEHM/s1627/TGOC2022%20DAY%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1627" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhZOCBMsVbSJN00EeyezOEeaUnPccYlquRkvIVx-RmeKUH-8QzEPjDB_DLlQBg61f_olPgW9JdEwLvU9vPjCtXA3yM2h1fL_dElahhh4T-LPlQ_PvzexWfURTHJbJEc3Zva6Ofds6kYJBP_hE_t0TpW6F4hQLGdNUmqD7Q2pfUJGDRJtGEHM/w640-h348/TGOC2022%20DAY%2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TODAY'S ROUTE: RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 16.0 km<div>Ascent: 320 m</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Swearing her to the location's secrecy, she climbed aboard the hallowed footbridge to be photographed for posterity.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8AXGq6gUkE1Tl9DrHpQjNSpnW485vZSVvlH8JKyMpgmn0WkKGH9g0F0LAwy1mcJYwISYl35yUNBmHX_LDuUBbpvD4EnfV0MmU2oinYVwNJRfNmSRwIduDdXRq9p1S0fSAa64g8XCVfkNyOsfe_TLrC5nmWn8nuGDWpe1GIKJcIcpB_BOQWI/s3926/20220522_143122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="3926" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8AXGq6gUkE1Tl9DrHpQjNSpnW485vZSVvlH8JKyMpgmn0WkKGH9g0F0LAwy1mcJYwISYl35yUNBmHX_LDuUBbpvD4EnfV0MmU2oinYVwNJRfNmSRwIduDdXRq9p1S0fSAa64g8XCVfkNyOsfe_TLrC5nmWn8nuGDWpe1GIKJcIcpB_BOQWI/w640-h480/20220522_143122.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA, STOOD UP?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">While admiring the beauty of our surroundings a well-heeled family arrived, out for a ramble. Had we met on the high street I doubt if we'd have exchanged more than a polite 'good afternoon' but out here there was freedom to welcome each other as friends and offer to take each other's group photos. The great outdoors, eh?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For the remainder of the afternoon we strolled through the Balmoral Estate to Gelder Shiel, dodging fierce showers and a biting wind. Arriving at our destination there was a very well pitched little green tent sheltering in the lee of the royal bothy, belonging to Paddy - a lovely chap I've known for quite a few years. Emma had walked with Paddy for a few torrid days earlier in her Challenge, that had involved drenching rain and hazardous river crossings. We spent a friendly evening together with the bothy stove glowing warmth and happiness.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY ELEVEN, MONDAY: GELDER SHIEL - SHIELIN OF MARK </u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">With Paddy away early on his day to Tarfside, two sluggards finally woke, slowly easing their bodies into the bone cold bothy, the stove having given up its life giving glow in the night. Accusations of snoring were brushed aside, neatly passed on to the departed Challenger who had nothing to say in his defence. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We were finally on our way mid morning, with a fine ramble up to the Shielin of Mark, or possibly beyond if the spirit were to take us, as our planned itinerary. But first, snaps of our overnight halt:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAu7Jq9a9oQYg37uDuX3VBtCDOft-Bu89ink5mIW87-PzI2VZC20dxlhjFOeSlOKc8BYC-0iM2_OjPOS-v7cRFBOxI9FdW15xMgGoF8vXHoMEi5GnLTj4Ft6Tz-5367vJXRRAVXyD5NW5axVS-2Gin6Yk7eQSCDE7tUWb2CpJVAvBLM291p4/s4896/dsc04014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="4896" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAu7Jq9a9oQYg37uDuX3VBtCDOft-Bu89ink5mIW87-PzI2VZC20dxlhjFOeSlOKc8BYC-0iM2_OjPOS-v7cRFBOxI9FdW15xMgGoF8vXHoMEi5GnLTj4Ft6Tz-5367vJXRRAVXyD5NW5axVS-2Gin6Yk7eQSCDE7tUWb2CpJVAvBLM291p4/w640-h360/dsc04014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ME, GELDER SHIEL BOTHY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgdt1xP---ORBzZitwpNXl1KcnaKr-Cy355a7KoJ1QwhZhxj8lCZ4ZnkFnOXE1udIrlywJI1rZ3GZZleIm9520Kuy28z3keYVD3R2V-HKjy4My7xdEf7vcRD5_3i2SZTcZZsVDOJEkUXp-Ll0ZXN6TR7C_wh76VkSkzed-B8FWJ5IcU_0VfI/s4032/20220523_102840.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgdt1xP---ORBzZitwpNXl1KcnaKr-Cy355a7KoJ1QwhZhxj8lCZ4ZnkFnOXE1udIrlywJI1rZ3GZZleIm9520Kuy28z3keYVD3R2V-HKjy4My7xdEf7vcRD5_3i2SZTcZZsVDOJEkUXp-Ll0ZXN6TR7C_wh76VkSkzed-B8FWJ5IcU_0VfI/w640-h480/20220523_102840.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Below, as is customary, is the map of our route but this time exhibiting two days of walking, as the map format allows and also as today's walk is but a mere stroll of some nine miles with around nineteen hundred feet (for those of a delicate pre-metrication age) of ascent, to be achieved in two gargantuan struggles. With thirty four successful Challenge crossings under the team's belts we thought this would go.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5q9sFqOY8TGI9UNAGu60WTGVtE9Qi1yCweX_ZZAhez6PYAvslra8lRD6zkbxeb7yoDIjhTvrhNOkMziXHc7UGgKYnTdj3Nx1kqjWYLjiOxbKFdrp4Sd_imt8e29QrBfK12orVfQms7l152DIF8CsPmlPi6b-D8ahhDjNzeTc9WV54Wfg0AM/s1812/Screenshot%202022-10-31%20155900.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1812" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5q9sFqOY8TGI9UNAGu60WTGVtE9Qi1yCweX_ZZAhez6PYAvslra8lRD6zkbxeb7yoDIjhTvrhNOkMziXHc7UGgKYnTdj3Nx1kqjWYLjiOxbKFdrp4Sd_imt8e29QrBfK12orVfQms7l152DIF8CsPmlPi6b-D8ahhDjNzeTc9WV54Wfg0AM/w640-h312/Screenshot%202022-10-31%20155900.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAYS ELEVEN & TWELVE. RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE IN NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Day 11: Distance 14 km<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Day 12: Distance 19 km</span></div><div> Ascent 570 m<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Ascent 300 m</span><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do hope that you did as suggested and right-clicked on the map to blow it up to an impressive size in a fresh window, as there may well be questions at the end of this entry. You surely wouldn't want to stay back after class, would you?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="451" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1uWMFXAWX2U" width="639" youtube-src-id="1uWMFXAWX2U"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">VIDEO PANORAMA FROM GELDER SHIEL, FEATURING A FAIRY QUEEN</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A great deal of effort is being made within the Cairngorm National Park - and beyond - to encourage natural regeneration of native tree species. At this location you'll have noticed from the video that fencing has been erected to ward off nibbling predators. I'm not sure how effective it is against deer, as I've seen them clear obstacles like this in one balletic leap. Perhaps a wiser reader could enlighten me in the comments section?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once the heathery bash to the Rover Road is over, the rest of the morning is plain sailing, albeit in a decidedly uphill fashion, with glorious views of the Lochnagar group.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC20IzZh2vbOdd--Pwqrp7NFF0DqDAZBlqa3kQWkgC7IBXFN2MwOh01fmcTYTBoKcfetkE9HMcCtPqYFvZX8Ib0aKz5WrA15F4ufHs5Un6jZ5fNZEKUtqnGOzqqVcePsE0-6nSkfAa3EMeqzhDgNonVvSRNwe_6f0I4iMK4ENUYaU9rVXpJuM/s4032/20220523_103810.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC20IzZh2vbOdd--Pwqrp7NFF0DqDAZBlqa3kQWkgC7IBXFN2MwOh01fmcTYTBoKcfetkE9HMcCtPqYFvZX8Ib0aKz5WrA15F4ufHs5Un6jZ5fNZEKUtqnGOzqqVcePsE0-6nSkfAa3EMeqzhDgNonVvSRNwe_6f0I4iMK4ENUYaU9rVXpJuM/w640-h480/20220523_103810.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOCHNAGAR - MEIKLE PAP TO CAC CARN BEAG. *DO* RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fyLanIazBYkERaOxkXBwSzI4LmKqtoD9U9bnxlef7Dn5mq2SDLfvFJydlGaYZJjkEbzUGvQZ4fk1Eou_7gtNbzniAKBSrduXJmLbqpLNDOYHEopVB-ye0ckgJSu0ksno6sx1qaq3Mx8T84CpfluEaPSCR3M7pgLpO-zuyu7q6a0RzzEoahY/s4032/20220523_113625.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fyLanIazBYkERaOxkXBwSzI4LmKqtoD9U9bnxlef7Dn5mq2SDLfvFJydlGaYZJjkEbzUGvQZ4fk1Eou_7gtNbzniAKBSrduXJmLbqpLNDOYHEopVB-ye0ckgJSu0ksno6sx1qaq3Mx8T84CpfluEaPSCR3M7pgLpO-zuyu7q6a0RzzEoahY/w640-h480/20220523_113625.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA AND THE LOCHNAGAR GROUP: RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTTVIDhI8D98y65geG8jNuOdgTsz0zxbBWN8QmsoNuVSebuMMxfV2vP2z_vM7wosYmM9VgSJPtX6atODd_Pk7JHpKShbOLQsIC8YiNFprHpGH-qefInotPkNnt3_97jBp0rVo36yYi3lM-cUlMFNi7hEmxn3T2IZhmT4Tm2XnOBWVKWLCYRQ/s3579/dsc04017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="3579" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTTVIDhI8D98y65geG8jNuOdgTsz0zxbBWN8QmsoNuVSebuMMxfV2vP2z_vM7wosYmM9VgSJPtX6atODd_Pk7JHpKShbOLQsIC8YiNFprHpGH-qefInotPkNnt3_97jBp0rVo36yYi3lM-cUlMFNi7hEmxn3T2IZhmT4Tm2XnOBWVKWLCYRQ/w640-h360/dsc04017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ME, TAKING A BREAK ON THE STUMBLY TRACK DOWN TO GLEN MUICK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Leisurely breaks were a thing today, despite the very keen breeze, as the day was rain-free and fabulous views were in abundance with ragged cloud formations scudding across horizons. The often tricksy beast of a river crossing on the way down to Glen Muick was but a gurgling infant. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By a late lunchtime we were ensconced in the bosom of the Glen Muick Visitor Centre, being served hot drinks and snacks by the wonderful Warden, learning of the recent changes in Braemar's cultural life and the internal politics brought about by the sudden influx of comparatively massive wealth. All is not as it seems on the surface; a situation not too dissimilar to that depicted in the film 'Local Hero'. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happily, we were joined by Lindsay and her son Grant, so we could linger in the warmth and shelter a little longer.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL8Lp-9w5dx6X6jyS1ikrBIlt3O-qDbq0n6K--KJx4UMgItWttiRlL1eIFzKZxzOYxEKD3hmRpMqOLIrgenRoaTfJDk2812KwrXoIaSqOzdDL1MOifbN6tZV1c4sfk5E4Ce__lSw-4-uX_GQgdt-kVUbt4QVtERUhhxwt4LPI3gQWLsnlYCs/s4032/20220523_142115.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL8Lp-9w5dx6X6jyS1ikrBIlt3O-qDbq0n6K--KJx4UMgItWttiRlL1eIFzKZxzOYxEKD3hmRpMqOLIrgenRoaTfJDk2812KwrXoIaSqOzdDL1MOifbN6tZV1c4sfk5E4Ce__lSw-4-uX_GQgdt-kVUbt4QVtERUhhxwt4LPI3gQWLsnlYCs/w300-h400/20220523_142115.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA, COSY AT THE VISITOR CENTRE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I love the stroll up the Allt Darrarie, and the little grunty bit to join the Burn of Mohamed, to bear right following the caochan towards the shooting butts. They point nicely to the Shielin, so keep them in view, taking the grassiest route over the low saddle and you'll arrive bang on the Shielin as if by magic. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Are we going to carry on? Perhaps to the Stables of Lee? What time is it? Five o'clock, so of course not. The Shielin of Mark now has generously sized bunk beds, each with a fairly decent extra wide closed-cell Thermarest for a little touch of luxury. Graham decided to camp outside but Lindsay and Grant claimed comfortable berths as well. Lindsay set-to, arranging the kindling and rubbish to start a small fire in the grate. It was all friendly and snug. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I adore everything about the next picture; the lighting, the characters that seem to epitomise the Challenge - two first-timers and an old hand creating a perfect cradle for friendship. Out of shot are two more Challengers simply glad to be enjoying life again. We're all out in the hills, perhaps miles from anywhere but at the very centre of happiness.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsYUSi4_zqPtS74j7jdFmRKwFlxJk-5dMGZQOnqpsVaM_j6ZHOLqFO89ZIcaIoZftZEWAkDoMVhEIGQFT-WRt1IMaBJbNjlPfRTwYYUn1nyHCPnA5fcYZxWNRTjL9hDe3issmq5ABg_SdvWcxXS3xknmGANJvKRaEo1JLLWloXCX844D0TGM/s4032/20220523_185017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsYUSi4_zqPtS74j7jdFmRKwFlxJk-5dMGZQOnqpsVaM_j6ZHOLqFO89ZIcaIoZftZEWAkDoMVhEIGQFT-WRt1IMaBJbNjlPfRTwYYUn1nyHCPnA5fcYZxWNRTjL9hDe3issmq5ABg_SdvWcxXS3xknmGANJvKRaEo1JLLWloXCX844D0TGM/w640-h480/20220523_185017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A BEAUTIFUL PARCEL OF ROGUES: GRANT, GRAHAM & LINDSAY (THE FIRE-STARTER), AT HOME AT THE SHIELIN OF MARK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6f2WtSQ-59tcklEb4wPi1eUptuiQK0TJJN6XqGWtkONOGhjcblCduqemhKqmqhfxf91FyxdHBv_p9mdkkNfOYJSzxMiZrnt10xxpq7CW5PRz39Jq5Z4zXOabEsLNd99WkTezPaIv6gSd_IvldsUo9kILJShJlm6MFoN70_5CpDl5_5w2iXg/s1278/Screenshot_20220523-201620_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6f2WtSQ-59tcklEb4wPi1eUptuiQK0TJJN6XqGWtkONOGhjcblCduqemhKqmqhfxf91FyxdHBv_p9mdkkNfOYJSzxMiZrnt10xxpq7CW5PRz39Jq5Z4zXOabEsLNd99WkTezPaIv6gSd_IvldsUo9kILJShJlm6MFoN70_5CpDl5_5w2iXg/w338-h400/Screenshot_20220523-201620_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnSM1urBpQjymZnHabP9Tqw8mMHSReumyYFscNFj-jJ1d-FjKnh94eTB7oCB_bKHK5pbrHelY6mim7odnn7Dj88vhJOCiqfQDohx3ZH8Mh0sMwO9wD_dRXNaaQ-ogkMEUr1BbF0rmXcebskIejwZMa6WwI_LCExRz0_Y9XG3Jn2K6wVqLTbg/s2044/Screenshot_20220523-201634_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnSM1urBpQjymZnHabP9Tqw8mMHSReumyYFscNFj-jJ1d-FjKnh94eTB7oCB_bKHK5pbrHelY6mim7odnn7Dj88vhJOCiqfQDohx3ZH8Mh0sMwO9wD_dRXNaaQ-ogkMEUr1BbF0rmXcebskIejwZMa6WwI_LCExRz0_Y9XG3Jn2K6wVqLTbg/w211-h400/Screenshot_20220523-201634_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY TWELVE, TUESDAY: SHIELIN OF MARK - TARFSIDE </u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's best to get the recriminations over with at the start of the day. Which Challengers were snoring all night long? There were two of the bastards but in the crow black, bible black night in the shielin it was impossible to pin the blame. To a man, all present feigned injured innocence. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Before long I realised that I was to be tail-end-Charlie in the packing up stakes. As I was fumbling with my bootlaces the bothy door swung open, accompanied by an icy blast.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>"You must be Alan Sloman" </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Could it be the canary yellow jacket? Perhaps the pipe-cleaner legs? No, it had to be the balding cranium that's so recognisable. Looking up from my uncomfortable crouch I enquire of the gentleman's name and plead for the door to be shut pretty smartly as I'm a sensitive soul and it's freezing out there. There's unnecessary apologies - I'm being grumpy - and I'm introduced to the genial Chris Vardy, resplendent in neckerchief and woggle. Unfortunately he doesn't stay for long and heads off into the Arctic, probably never to be seen again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJOxTXd3tX4ZA1RzAeXo6JUBTRVU7qVr7vreUOJUR_XjyRD1VVwADM090TEJb_KfKcgMruQwkldXff387g3atcKnf7NDBDHa9yJp3AM6yDsVola0Pj0X9pUEBU2jPU5G1RtrgeTngKwVhZtFAEb31papf0oLByiRTfDxFVlfTV2UKWsysu-8/s3946/dsc04018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2959" data-original-width="3946" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJOxTXd3tX4ZA1RzAeXo6JUBTRVU7qVr7vreUOJUR_XjyRD1VVwADM090TEJb_KfKcgMruQwkldXff387g3atcKnf7NDBDHa9yJp3AM6yDsVola0Pj0X9pUEBU2jPU5G1RtrgeTngKwVhZtFAEb31papf0oLByiRTfDxFVlfTV2UKWsysu-8/w640-h480/dsc04018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GRANT, ME & LINDSAY AT SHIELIN OF MARK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEm-DKKRcjrMsLcXZ-kTjfnLkNcDN0IznT0H_snh3ficBAmqCMoyNiAIi8NctfELUf3ingRpZpgcdxOnkGfOiMjSi1JA8i2eRL--M_fFWesmoJ0ubQxX2AENWS1pwNoZ7euO6AS0shlQsniFzEBjvAUgXJmdF2I5C66TukzyDyCwgM4c-ZQM/s3865/20220524_092724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="3865" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEm-DKKRcjrMsLcXZ-kTjfnLkNcDN0IznT0H_snh3ficBAmqCMoyNiAIi8NctfELUf3ingRpZpgcdxOnkGfOiMjSi1JA8i2eRL--M_fFWesmoJ0ubQxX2AENWS1pwNoZ7euO6AS0shlQsniFzEBjvAUgXJmdF2I5C66TukzyDyCwgM4c-ZQM/w640-h484/20220524_092724.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA, GRANT & LINDSAY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The obligatory team photos are taken, about a dozen times with each of everyone's cameras and smartphones before we can depart for the lurid fleshpots of the Tarfside Metropolitan Conurbation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Over the years I've found the easiest way over Muckle Cairn is to follow the caochan South Grain to collect the track that runs along the ridge before heading down into Glen Lee and the potentially feisty fording of the Burn of Badrone. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOujNaRZfAQHcO3sm_6qorDN4aTX7z0DCKXOKDrFRdKmDSoO8A5W1gllAPlPpdhsVALMcZMmgc8hlPsioxr-e0MSqFsChnkqGb8mgYRhhDlD_SKA7EoszyG4Zzq1qBE0BRpytELoXExaC-lc0SJXRllHNgL0Wf4QLe7iV7pkJu-7WE9Kx1FHA/s4032/20220524_100849.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOujNaRZfAQHcO3sm_6qorDN4aTX7z0DCKXOKDrFRdKmDSoO8A5W1gllAPlPpdhsVALMcZMmgc8hlPsioxr-e0MSqFsChnkqGb8mgYRhhDlD_SKA7EoszyG4Zzq1qBE0BRpytELoXExaC-lc0SJXRllHNgL0Wf4QLe7iV7pkJu-7WE9Kx1FHA/w640-h480/20220524_100849.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY WITH LOCHNAGAR AS A BACKDROP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3X4J3mUs9IWkFRLhNh2dpaGSx9jSDlldNgyPQ09hluR9HZwj0oJizEolIQ3lju995M34jk7921l42D9pYmy72oN-XlH3fEsEyCs3NX__MFzNB560nyFCB7x--8hUqlLYb9Yjawbi1sjtuicxHNiyIVWmxlTpckg5rDBXga-7td4Wec_UBws/s4032/20220524_100901.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3X4J3mUs9IWkFRLhNh2dpaGSx9jSDlldNgyPQ09hluR9HZwj0oJizEolIQ3lju995M34jk7921l42D9pYmy72oN-XlH3fEsEyCs3NX__MFzNB560nyFCB7x--8hUqlLYb9Yjawbi1sjtuicxHNiyIVWmxlTpckg5rDBXga-7td4Wec_UBws/w640-h480/20220524_100901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">YOU DON'T GET A VIEW LIKE THIS IN BERKSHIRE. RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCRlg4og-vIX-pd4Uf2sylM-8GX1vmJsF1PtcS7RdD2Tp-EwDPYGF5FWhSrvVPUtzJoC0iIbv8mtqL8ZOX3usGFzPQxNmQaX4FZDyc2cIxw4ZozTZPWylaIBrFfoN7Vcyrbv-Kjx39NPPTM97F8IW6BkA1Cfk0fn1GvY3DdQKYBdqULGzq5Y/s4032/20220524_101009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCRlg4og-vIX-pd4Uf2sylM-8GX1vmJsF1PtcS7RdD2Tp-EwDPYGF5FWhSrvVPUtzJoC0iIbv8mtqL8ZOX3usGFzPQxNmQaX4FZDyc2cIxw4ZozTZPWylaIBrFfoN7Vcyrbv-Kjx39NPPTM97F8IW6BkA1Cfk0fn1GvY3DdQKYBdqULGzq5Y/w640-h480/20220524_101009.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY & EMMA, ATOP MUCKLE CAIRN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT1nJSCCqnF4srrJEyYjMGOTs0g4qtb6glsRO5F5HxbzBGngZ9kUbsU3q18dWPFJq4KCbo2KukSLiNHKEr-tA5dgEaNuWESJCBi3ODMpwJfpYS-wpZSne6gClOpNPFbtJBRy7KpX4rZoUsBX7Jw1Dlsv0_3qx9ciSaB_auBk3om1B7Xr7JoA/s4032/20220524_101838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT1nJSCCqnF4srrJEyYjMGOTs0g4qtb6glsRO5F5HxbzBGngZ9kUbsU3q18dWPFJq4KCbo2KukSLiNHKEr-tA5dgEaNuWESJCBi3ODMpwJfpYS-wpZSne6gClOpNPFbtJBRy7KpX4rZoUsBX7Jw1Dlsv0_3qx9ciSaB_auBk3om1B7Xr7JoA/w640-h480/20220524_101838.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA IN A COLOSSAL PLACE: RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was as I hit the track on the ridge that I noticed Emma, who was a little distance behind, on account of receiving all manner of texts and voicemails as her phone sprang into life, was waving and shouting in my general direction. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"TURN ON YOUR PHONE!" </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unengaging 'aeroplane mode' produced a startling number of texts and voicemails. By the time the stream of electronic media had finished, Emma had caught up and advised that I should listen to them, pronto.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To my eternal shame, I had received texts and voice messages from the various good people manning Challenge Control in Montrose. It had transpired that on Monday evening, upon my non-arrival at the Clova Hotel (Tim had decided not to take up the free room) that the hotel had very sensibly called Phil (who had arranged the booking of a twin room for us both) to enquire if we still needed the room. It was now Tuesday morning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now Phil, some five hundred miles to the south of us, astride the battlements of Lord Elpus Hall, was concerned. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"It's not like Al to spurn a comfy bed in a warm hotel with white fluffy towels and lashings of hot water? Something might have gone awry!"</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Very sensibly Phil phoned Challenge Control to let them know of my non-appearance at Clova. The smooth machine that is Challenge Control and all the highly experienced folk that make up that team, slipped into gear: <i>This fella has various health-limiting conditions. He's getting on a bit. He's not missed a phone-in-point before in all his Challenges.</i> They were concerned. Perhaps a great deal. Of course, text messages and phone calls were never going to make it through to the Shielin of Mark and so I was blissfully unaware of the problems I had caused. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I texted back to Control that I was in fact quite well. It was absolutely freezing on top of Muckle Cairn and so I decided that we ought to press on and sort it out, and grovel profusely for forgiveness when at Tarfside.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, all this could have been so easily avoided had I simply called in to Challenge Control when at Braemar and explained that I was changing my route, and then called the Cloval Hotel to let them know that someone else would be taking my already-paid-for room. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hindsight's a wonderful thing, but I had caused unnecessary alarm in Montrose, with the team phoning around other Challengers taking similar routes to discover my whereabouts, and Sue (one half of the Event Organisers) having a sleepless night worried about a complete idiot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You will not believe how appalled I was (and still am) and deeply sorry for this gross oversight.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CUbeIfjhdYLikKAd4M9xtI0A8cRyW9p1Zb2D56yv5CW_rv8ZXguco0E1UQsWHeOk9zybmF7wOxywTJpajN7PogD3eiMUw3F2S3WXFS2MtOIKQQB237lsG64zbTaJEvfE1JsGmd2uvEXbk83d8ri3xR_KftI2ND394aGwsXNYD2Qg_yiRABQ/s4032/20220524_104137.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CUbeIfjhdYLikKAd4M9xtI0A8cRyW9p1Zb2D56yv5CW_rv8ZXguco0E1UQsWHeOk9zybmF7wOxywTJpajN7PogD3eiMUw3F2S3WXFS2MtOIKQQB237lsG64zbTaJEvfE1JsGmd2uvEXbk83d8ri3xR_KftI2ND394aGwsXNYD2Qg_yiRABQ/w640-h480/20220524_104137.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GRANT HEADING DOWN INTO GLEN LEE: RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVeN1G2PDVogvBzZG2Auom41vlMgarYpWvF7JmvdED2wGkoEIoMPuLIr0NxDYRGYH_Q7M7g5GjDY9Fb_hWiju7t1k75QnOAHAGh9ZuLeAww3Ewpo8-Od552BW5IrQPkkHvwnThB5EfDNHPX85hfVit2dvIs9Wn9kYxBVyLEt-_1XcIrOYBiY/s4032/20220524_104849.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVeN1G2PDVogvBzZG2Auom41vlMgarYpWvF7JmvdED2wGkoEIoMPuLIr0NxDYRGYH_Q7M7g5GjDY9Fb_hWiju7t1k75QnOAHAGh9ZuLeAww3Ewpo8-Od552BW5IrQPkkHvwnThB5EfDNHPX85hfVit2dvIs9Wn9kYxBVyLEt-_1XcIrOYBiY/w480-h640/20220524_104849.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TO GLEN LEE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTtO618c68iyx057JTPzTDHB8Rd95XrKdVhT55FNcRXZM7pZGSWZPUPHw8oKio7qqKP0_drBO_eNNDyjNCJBJGNo5PWlzDNoptTmVoOzxyExYzx8p9cTXB5cv8IQd23ontj0oUS_0o00T8uA2zPJ9bat6d7Z34PgJh2gIO63MybJ4TN7AvMs/s2048/received_2921679078124787.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTtO618c68iyx057JTPzTDHB8Rd95XrKdVhT55FNcRXZM7pZGSWZPUPHw8oKio7qqKP0_drBO_eNNDyjNCJBJGNo5PWlzDNoptTmVoOzxyExYzx8p9cTXB5cv8IQd23ontj0oUS_0o00T8uA2zPJ9bat6d7Z34PgJh2gIO63MybJ4TN7AvMs/w640-h480/received_2921679078124787.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GRANT'S PICTURE OF THREE VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHALLENGERS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i-J5E0EBoG_Woh2P3ewYlKPWe3-v-5T4LD6Uo4dZN91122Mk3sQMNEHsqfHb2Rm6xMdHi8eRliI2aKhob6-OcTKoU53lqaWf3zhDJtSscVmZF1zQS0bBKvByDx2xnhRYWSw98Fx3EGtcKrIqIYZA7ybEPBX6NV0tTtql2PLDBB9MNAqOn4g/s4032/20220524_150817.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i-J5E0EBoG_Woh2P3ewYlKPWe3-v-5T4LD6Uo4dZN91122Mk3sQMNEHsqfHb2Rm6xMdHi8eRliI2aKhob6-OcTKoU53lqaWf3zhDJtSscVmZF1zQS0bBKvByDx2xnhRYWSw98Fx3EGtcKrIqIYZA7ybEPBX6NV0tTtql2PLDBB9MNAqOn4g/w480-h640/20220524_150817.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AT INVERMARK CASTLE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxTALncc1qPqEgnODRnDkkdw7d-o5Y0r9SbgWL-CRL7V_JKeCMw-oN-7ov5186agybn0o4MO0iz8ZVBGIL_SPARdwDHPKxdaY5w3QDojQl6Z93cZy0UiLOzjc4qnWuetblFxiBhJTiUnKRIxQBOt2PQdVHN_gMrl6K19qPxEM9BEw-fypJ1M/s4032/20220524_161139.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxTALncc1qPqEgnODRnDkkdw7d-o5Y0r9SbgWL-CRL7V_JKeCMw-oN-7ov5186agybn0o4MO0iz8ZVBGIL_SPARdwDHPKxdaY5w3QDojQl6Z93cZy0UiLOzjc4qnWuetblFxiBhJTiUnKRIxQBOt2PQdVHN_gMrl6K19qPxEM9BEw-fypJ1M/w640-h480/20220524_161139.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY HEADING TO TARFSIDE: RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Emma and I made Tarfside in reasonable time, but not in time to bag rooms, so we hoisted the shelters up on the playing field and headed to St Drostan's for coffee and cake.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3b6AN0pB2fV41yyjOwADOgnFCzn6-yfm2BYmGRjKDCokC0Vw6yYfvLUn7jlPBN7B7K2_QQnCUELAqySEt7Lie2X0pF_LawzL0uH3SyE2gDxV_NgaUZTTf5ZK7O-K9LsusrV2QRJmHeD0oqbkpA9m4PtkkfxOE44COQVcnA-lbi5fgCJWjNQ/s4032/20220524_170448.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3b6AN0pB2fV41yyjOwADOgnFCzn6-yfm2BYmGRjKDCokC0Vw6yYfvLUn7jlPBN7B7K2_QQnCUELAqySEt7Lie2X0pF_LawzL0uH3SyE2gDxV_NgaUZTTf5ZK7O-K9LsusrV2QRJmHeD0oqbkpA9m4PtkkfxOE44COQVcnA-lbi5fgCJWjNQ/w480-h640/20220524_170448.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHER, IAN AT TARFSIDE: <i>DID I PUT FP4 OR HP5 IN THERE?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRVp7s3z_V4OpjpwRUBbr1qaETHcGzJOi1y2AYLTDoJ_g1iKOBnX4j6DN_pMOH6QI_AKdIBPDSUQTs53NRyzgsW3-MatyukkoV5iQ2Kkg_SYuOHxej3UThsJ6-brkypDHgJX0qnuA16JmEHuXDtR9uHQd4kI-QD_kxq8ZQyympzUhr6HRoJ8/s4032/20220524_170532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRVp7s3z_V4OpjpwRUBbr1qaETHcGzJOi1y2AYLTDoJ_g1iKOBnX4j6DN_pMOH6QI_AKdIBPDSUQTs53NRyzgsW3-MatyukkoV5iQ2Kkg_SYuOHxej3UThsJ6-brkypDHgJX0qnuA16JmEHuXDtR9uHQd4kI-QD_kxq8ZQyympzUhr6HRoJ8/w300-h400/20220524_170532.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GRANT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRKIcgfgH5Jy2sCXmzt1uJQyU7SOMysmap248jOBy-O3I7OJTleg3Nmi4Gemp2gMd0ev5mH6t8r3csF1AQdL1_tR_7VnViihJz5CiuzTRic5W7jHySEBiwqqgLCctLkDeTo8AQlYGaJ88XzxFPhHnU9-j5D6TG8dRRGd3UfYjp8UdL8_GrmA/s4032/20220524_170546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRKIcgfgH5Jy2sCXmzt1uJQyU7SOMysmap248jOBy-O3I7OJTleg3Nmi4Gemp2gMd0ev5mH6t8r3csF1AQdL1_tR_7VnViihJz5CiuzTRic5W7jHySEBiwqqgLCctLkDeTo8AQlYGaJ88XzxFPhHnU9-j5D6TG8dRRGd3UfYjp8UdL8_GrmA/w300-h400/20220524_170546.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtNdnTOe_OCs3rMccKqdslT9B9zvZ-cwj9ITOez2MWVnbS26rUbfSiTQJhKPJiGd9ORarv9kXkvGWXukbqG0TuJj8eEdmsYjKBVQ7iTIpqWc87Fbjjjj-8ojxcAoKyaOXBBT7yErf6tlx_cOdLKCh_NgdXJJhjxh5Br5mg9YJCDcKpxvvy2Q/s3851/20220524_170800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3851" data-original-width="2831" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtNdnTOe_OCs3rMccKqdslT9B9zvZ-cwj9ITOez2MWVnbS26rUbfSiTQJhKPJiGd9ORarv9kXkvGWXukbqG0TuJj8eEdmsYjKBVQ7iTIpqWc87Fbjjjj-8ojxcAoKyaOXBBT7yErf6tlx_cOdLKCh_NgdXJJhjxh5Br5mg9YJCDcKpxvvy2Q/w294-h400/20220524_170800.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">VICKY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpudZcFTgbFpB4XqtkcftBitUyzv21Vvb1JbRaxpJJTXt7I8b8Q-6_EzeLxUAslqgVOs7sOOWRurPICrNCdzGEahm9jLy34S4pm3ZJMMFj-M4lnDs4gTZR2Lm9EQu0MFvetXkEcot2hTSara4TDjzZ6ctplgqsBvWJxT8vYvAUTdExrbQ5Ndk/s3186/20220524_172316.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3186" data-original-width="2829" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpudZcFTgbFpB4XqtkcftBitUyzv21Vvb1JbRaxpJJTXt7I8b8Q-6_EzeLxUAslqgVOs7sOOWRurPICrNCdzGEahm9jLy34S4pm3ZJMMFj-M4lnDs4gTZR2Lm9EQu0MFvetXkEcot2hTSara4TDjzZ6ctplgqsBvWJxT8vYvAUTdExrbQ5Ndk/w355-h400/20220524_172316.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ALVAR, MANNING ST. DROSTANS, TARFSIDE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Alvar was his usual gentlemanly calm self, and quietly let me know that those manning Challenge Control in Montrose had been seriously worried about me and that I should make a bit of effort at contrition when I saw them in Montrose. He's a lovely man; vastly experienced, non-judgemental, kind and caring. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9_fv22jMxY98-gsaLgACxwu1hhi4qFiCK7fdztgJ-lqkxlrxZtmqEZ3aqFNmJYcHFjbNj0VK_HPs6bQCk2nnekHjN58ZPRnGFVPO4r4UXXRoJ4JOuWwCHpHBmrtm9_3gbrwg0CK5xgvWijH_gmyXcFXuiCyhjneMtz504CP2aEOcVZvf5Lg/s3868/20220524_182223_001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="3868" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9_fv22jMxY98-gsaLgACxwu1hhi4qFiCK7fdztgJ-lqkxlrxZtmqEZ3aqFNmJYcHFjbNj0VK_HPs6bQCk2nnekHjN58ZPRnGFVPO4r4UXXRoJ4JOuWwCHpHBmrtm9_3gbrwg0CK5xgvWijH_gmyXcFXuiCyhjneMtz504CP2aEOcVZvf5Lg/w640-h426/20220524_182223_001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TARFSIDE PLAYING FIELD. RIGHT-CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We spent the evening in the Masons with all manner of Challengers that came in all shapes, genders and sizes. Everyone was having a splendid time and the Masons had put on a barbeque with the best tasting burgers south of the North Pole. I had quite a few of those, along with a few beers and coffee as well! I'm getting soft in my dotage.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jEdy5yu_mykRfrrt0ETp07VlsLn__hyXRFTJqAN2w_YYMMpPPYkCx7b0fw6a-ZHOaZB-rMRT765MMJ8jnVDqqKwpuobdnQqExdGPi4Jhdf0s4HkV3PMp-UW3ijpKFlSYxAI2lULIOTm0KYyvsWnXT4YcmnRREr5henLzpSXc68qH6nmblUI/s3750/20220524_192850.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2370" data-original-width="3750" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jEdy5yu_mykRfrrt0ETp07VlsLn__hyXRFTJqAN2w_YYMMpPPYkCx7b0fw6a-ZHOaZB-rMRT765MMJ8jnVDqqKwpuobdnQqExdGPi4Jhdf0s4HkV3PMp-UW3ijpKFlSYxAI2lULIOTm0KYyvsWnXT4YcmnRREr5henLzpSXc68qH6nmblUI/w400-h253/20220524_192850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TARFSIDE, THE MASONS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbBCWPSKaDgACda9l6lbcBlTCj7aJd5difdhpTw8rNRiAZzmvbwANuD_xpMIjSa2shPUovtn2w3iafbhUNbXyq9GgxcH8jGlSz9VUBL2Lc_tOssNXxdk375Us5aq7mgAAwZiXBAFiX_hSEhaGPj8DezigWhcDzIXomD8Vm1lgG0fGC_v8QbM/s2606/20220524_200607.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="2606" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbBCWPSKaDgACda9l6lbcBlTCj7aJd5difdhpTw8rNRiAZzmvbwANuD_xpMIjSa2shPUovtn2w3iafbhUNbXyq9GgxcH8jGlSz9VUBL2Lc_tOssNXxdk375Us5aq7mgAAwZiXBAFiX_hSEhaGPj8DezigWhcDzIXomD8Vm1lgG0fGC_v8QbM/w640-h592/20220524_200607.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A SUCCESSFUL 50 MUNROS TRIP FOR CARL & JURAJ</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-uJNNt4yQwcbJBHw1Ry4GHomRLVSVrxkWT_WtabRHPdD0edAgrwbrPkUk143rpJAbUkEBwPsALMhp-IQUZbHPOiSJsGkrxhI8htil8OTDv1J1fWJ1d96ic1aFqGDKYlF6IszN5v7shVkMa9NjS-6cuALVGhOLk6avO03fqEsQCS6uCVIZCU/s2986/20220524_200619.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="2986" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-uJNNt4yQwcbJBHw1Ry4GHomRLVSVrxkWT_WtabRHPdD0edAgrwbrPkUk143rpJAbUkEBwPsALMhp-IQUZbHPOiSJsGkrxhI8htil8OTDv1J1fWJ1d96ic1aFqGDKYlF6IszN5v7shVkMa9NjS-6cuALVGhOLk6avO03fqEsQCS6uCVIZCU/w640-h548/20220524_200619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HARDENED PROS RICHARD & PETER WITH A LOVELY NEWBIE, DEAN 😊</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuMZaADZC653BJJyn3knyE3hshHA1inIzsatkkO25jgZX7qHDMqGAnN3IH65f27i_3L4iM_DsBpEw6KdvaOI3Mj9iKRYj4ssE7R8iAP_liwx1Bg_L8OSXYbjv1IDLD5LeIwOO8k4jI65jTpnddGwbNpSTxRbunR6TZhqhJkmcP-p49HIwYgA/s3371/20220524_202205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3371" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuMZaADZC653BJJyn3knyE3hshHA1inIzsatkkO25jgZX7qHDMqGAnN3IH65f27i_3L4iM_DsBpEw6KdvaOI3Mj9iKRYj4ssE7R8iAP_liwx1Bg_L8OSXYbjv1IDLD5LeIwOO8k4jI65jTpnddGwbNpSTxRbunR6TZhqhJkmcP-p49HIwYgA/w359-h400/20220524_202205.jpg" width="359" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TIM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuoQsyTj8zSK0P3hAaLP8VVay-gWJeS-8dDa1YW60aeIO2iiFJuRjxKsWr_uyCOdjk6FhlSunHaynI90s4N8aKqg2Q6eTYgscKmwH1Nq2LOpra4L04SzVRH9aH9OMtFBdXP7iuzYIiQmNs9jpqwu9XkubDGGaXRD7wTItgwK08T6Qh06LXP0/s2972/20220524_205936.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="2972" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuoQsyTj8zSK0P3hAaLP8VVay-gWJeS-8dDa1YW60aeIO2iiFJuRjxKsWr_uyCOdjk6FhlSunHaynI90s4N8aKqg2Q6eTYgscKmwH1Nq2LOpra4L04SzVRH9aH9OMtFBdXP7iuzYIiQmNs9jpqwu9XkubDGGaXRD7wTItgwK08T6Qh06LXP0/w400-h394/20220524_205936.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ANDY, ON HIS TENTH, HAVING COMPLETED THE 4000's</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf21rcJilQ2Qfb37yn7Fn0xTWYbkSIPTuWPvugFaI8S86wHcOGOjlPKYiyW3THXOfy5aibcLqd-3Lyacr5ONoR5FMYre3BzfGiPJlDAh-vGKOsOV480rNFuqqoCa1SvxQxV-Hdj8qRCIzqi3tZ8NVOxBJmfKHgtAZRRlFf40HEJgeCkbsIMQU/s4032/20220524_210016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf21rcJilQ2Qfb37yn7Fn0xTWYbkSIPTuWPvugFaI8S86wHcOGOjlPKYiyW3THXOfy5aibcLqd-3Lyacr5ONoR5FMYre3BzfGiPJlDAh-vGKOsOV480rNFuqqoCa1SvxQxV-Hdj8qRCIzqi3tZ8NVOxBJmfKHgtAZRRlFf40HEJgeCkbsIMQU/w400-h300/20220524_210016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GRANT, DOING HIS 'CLINT EASTWOOD IMPERSONATION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnFK4_b9mp8BqwfUthu6lbcjMW_ObdZ2B5lx7gkEQCKA6wBdoOLaOvwxzHP8Dn-jc06jG3Y9yWOgzv2J2VBGEjJ8KBYAsPetVOlzxwXFBYnjdpg9QJLgJ0PxxRL7YzUbMo9h62RuwDUmGE9XaggGBo2GzfFZt3EmyRaNT4qDIVWP4dlcNxSA/s2955/20220524_214514.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2482" data-original-width="2955" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnFK4_b9mp8BqwfUthu6lbcjMW_ObdZ2B5lx7gkEQCKA6wBdoOLaOvwxzHP8Dn-jc06jG3Y9yWOgzv2J2VBGEjJ8KBYAsPetVOlzxwXFBYnjdpg9QJLgJ0PxxRL7YzUbMo9h62RuwDUmGE9XaggGBo2GzfFZt3EmyRaNT4qDIVWP4dlcNxSA/w640-h538/20220524_214514.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJFBALm4ANY&t=2s" target="_blank">DEAN READ</a> - A BIT OF A STAR - CLICK ON THE LINK FOR A CORNUCOPIA OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURES</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc35knoz3Cj27COVys4PPKumob5gShExXJvJqx3rBm3X9uiNtp8oKtqj7KfgFZC7l6SHWi8U46EzqgrJRFN0QykixrLhyducCT8UF4wRGlAtvhC41ahOI8EN-j8HCaBJkvLg72AeDgnajQ_6CLZWcR7V0oSJSMwR4opfHtWV-ZhB3864JC2k/s2327/20220524_214534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="2249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc35knoz3Cj27COVys4PPKumob5gShExXJvJqx3rBm3X9uiNtp8oKtqj7KfgFZC7l6SHWi8U46EzqgrJRFN0QykixrLhyducCT8UF4wRGlAtvhC41ahOI8EN-j8HCaBJkvLg72AeDgnajQ_6CLZWcR7V0oSJSMwR4opfHtWV-ZhB3864JC2k/w386-h400/20220524_214534.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMELIE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After a wonderful evening hosted yet again by the magnificent Masonic Lodge, we staggered off to our shelters or St Drostan's, very smiley Challengers to sleep soundly. Apart from the realisation of my dreadful oversight, this had been a perfect Challenge day, in wonderful company.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="468" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tPk11AugG4c" width="622" youtube-src-id="tPk11AugG4c"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-65530040138421615122022-09-21T18:25:00.010+01:002022-12-27T21:18:49.471+00:00TGOC '22: Days 8 & 9: Blair Atholl to Braemar<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY EIGHT, FRIDAY: BLAIR ATHOLL TO BYNACK LODGE</u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Having cleared two toast racks ("mixed, please," thus avoiding the awkwardness of choosing white death or sack-cloth and ashes with the granary-wholemeal-brown option) fresh fruit and a hearty fry up with posh sauces, great coffee and fruit juices, I was once again set up for the day. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I recommend <a href="https://www.dalgreineguesthouse.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Dalgreine Guest House</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I hadn't managed to unscramble the cats cradle of the pitchlock end of my tent, but I could always sort that out when I got to Braemar, or perhaps Clova, or Montrose? Note: I've been home some months now and it's a little job that still hasn't been crossed off my 'to-do' list. That's life.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoH_guJAbmcknLLPuJ9iQYU1MOKzWq-USxYPUVHJS_z6DESkdsrqh37LzPgdmSX1R4TO-GWRQ4xJ0OihZWSRg3Jt2RkP6FmPqFh6klHnA3CBD54hHjAqCEb1XmFpgkY5yE_yWur4Jdc8GpZWhwpQz-r9WHYE3P2Srf-Sk9Kdc4EXCLrGOXTs/s3149/20220520_081350.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="2796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoH_guJAbmcknLLPuJ9iQYU1MOKzWq-USxYPUVHJS_z6DESkdsrqh37LzPgdmSX1R4TO-GWRQ4xJ0OihZWSRg3Jt2RkP6FmPqFh6klHnA3CBD54hHjAqCEb1XmFpgkY5yE_yWur4Jdc8GpZWhwpQz-r9WHYE3P2Srf-Sk9Kdc4EXCLrGOXTs/w568-h640/20220520_081350.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">STARTING A DECENT BREAKFAST</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">At half past eight I found myself (there was no-one else to find me) at the junction of the main road through Blair and the minor road that heads up Glen Tilt, buoyed up by the promise of a lovely day heading up the Tilt and meeting up with Jayme, Peter and Mario, who were at this very moment ploughing into a decent breakfast themselves. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The route I had submitted to our Glorious Girls to pass on to the Vetters had me heading directly north east passing beneath Beinn a' Ghlo, then down to Daldhu then northwards to almost Fealar Lodge and heading to Braemar via Miadan Mor and Carn Dearg and onwards to Glen Ey. This held no terrors as Phil and I had passed this way in years gone by, when we were well over ten years younger and before either of us had been under countless surgeons' knives. However, after only just managing my first week I thought Glen Tilt was a wiser route selection; it was still a longish day of some seventeen or eighteen miles. Happily, Sue agreed with me.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rHjiqJ7LxSGcIl2cX46FaEngPI8fYiuJY0bwZZgYwTIRG64WF1yqThFInqWsQPHQ0TyPHz8889uX0qvT-Q7az-IfrrcHj3XBpOZuceqcyZVr_V43wxUtLC1FBdLzDsEYk7eDsQNJa_pDKFVij-U3lFSJ0TZrK1ym6nHaDPRQRlW83mgHujs/s1480/Screenshot%202022-09-11%20145338.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1480" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rHjiqJ7LxSGcIl2cX46FaEngPI8fYiuJY0bwZZgYwTIRG64WF1yqThFInqWsQPHQ0TyPHz8889uX0qvT-Q7az-IfrrcHj3XBpOZuceqcyZVr_V43wxUtLC1FBdLzDsEYk7eDsQNJa_pDKFVij-U3lFSJ0TZrK1ym6nHaDPRQRlW83mgHujs/w640-h364/Screenshot%202022-09-11%20145338.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY EIGHT, FRIDAY MORNING: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 28km<div>Ascent: 800m</div><p style="text-align: justify;">The walk up lower Glen Tilt is beautiful in any weather with the main attraction being the river tumbling down its rocky chasm, cloaked in wonderfully fresh foliage. It would be an unusual fellow who could not let this sylvan bliss seep inside his soul. Every step of the way your pack becomes a little lighter, your problems melting away into oblivion as you peek around the next corner to find the scenery shifters' next tableau. This is nature's theatre on steroids.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlLbyZSE0P91vaM_yanrc003IvgNg9_p4gk0P6lVHcRsZvMnY4keFy5mREtpT4sOfqM2-pIyZPzSsi8nwiXIEkEnhFu2CQ55_XnX1cc-YiYVEwQI9Hb2VtkFm3C5jGzZwa7ZffMY2yzp9WblM2ZGbXmj2OlXfxtQhCyffoyVdFFfZsv3Bj7o/s3471/20220520_102445.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3471" data-original-width="2809" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlLbyZSE0P91vaM_yanrc003IvgNg9_p4gk0P6lVHcRsZvMnY4keFy5mREtpT4sOfqM2-pIyZPzSsi8nwiXIEkEnhFu2CQ55_XnX1cc-YiYVEwQI9Hb2VtkFm3C5jGzZwa7ZffMY2yzp9WblM2ZGbXmj2OlXfxtQhCyffoyVdFFfZsv3Bj7o/w518-h640/20220520_102445.jpg" width="518" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE TILT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMoDb3Rq41V_PvfDrUjnS6zEAtsdxaB_ut6uzF8K9Cc8MuQ66-sqAOSEbIDrgXmoQlxFDLY1Fg4mqvKsPB56P7hmQGARjZPIaiW6fIKMcyzBOyyuHlhclBnWDofJ8Ngo7K_HfXumUpFtjJxf65m7zeWRgalI8ApGgyKb4SO_7b_j_uQZHz_k/s3456/20220520_105017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2972" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMoDb3Rq41V_PvfDrUjnS6zEAtsdxaB_ut6uzF8K9Cc8MuQ66-sqAOSEbIDrgXmoQlxFDLY1Fg4mqvKsPB56P7hmQGARjZPIaiW6fIKMcyzBOyyuHlhclBnWDofJ8Ngo7K_HfXumUpFtjJxf65m7zeWRgalI8ApGgyKb4SO_7b_j_uQZHz_k/w550-h640/20220520_105017.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOWER GLEN TILT: BEAT 2</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mYta7_kx7m4ZDiPKVdIrFfx9tZKOlhWojGnpgF_Zp28gsQFobc1vWcckWS_B0ZLkMGbXyJa0SA5PTMxgMO3OAGhOm9svisUdU8sZC7RTzStKqRdPCYAQJ7cVDnkX1gSZaRdeL52-ox0logJ4gftKpVn2JHTsIQ3iHHlLJXG4mSdhVgKbLL4/s3846/20220520_105142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2660" data-original-width="3846" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mYta7_kx7m4ZDiPKVdIrFfx9tZKOlhWojGnpgF_Zp28gsQFobc1vWcckWS_B0ZLkMGbXyJa0SA5PTMxgMO3OAGhOm9svisUdU8sZC7RTzStKqRdPCYAQJ7cVDnkX1gSZaRdeL52-ox0logJ4gftKpVn2JHTsIQ3iHHlLJXG4mSdhVgKbLL4/w640-h442/20220520_105142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOWER GLEN TILT: WHAT'S ROUND THE CORNER?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PcnXemTV3ZMwWMjkoYCdIWI6P8dbK6gSx_iP44DVMn3LskG9yPt5v47iMi_TMRbjZboPxblewsgXaP0Dx7EGcV5HA_bGG54uXiGICamC7uUkbr1pUGXAkWGRoQur3vmIpRxYjuae84TUqAUQm17QtG7wRWQQ3JvB2e4LT74u0Hi7oblOzHc/s3927/20220520_105405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2677" data-original-width="3927" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PcnXemTV3ZMwWMjkoYCdIWI6P8dbK6gSx_iP44DVMn3LskG9yPt5v47iMi_TMRbjZboPxblewsgXaP0Dx7EGcV5HA_bGG54uXiGICamC7uUkbr1pUGXAkWGRoQur3vmIpRxYjuae84TUqAUQm17QtG7wRWQQ3JvB2e4LT74u0Hi7oblOzHc/w640-h436/20220520_105405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOWER GLEN TILT. MORE BLISSFUL AMBLING</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I had my mandatory twenty minute break after six kilometres just before Gilbert Bridge at the side of the track, and tucked in to my planned but uneaten pudding from last night and a glass or two of water before hoisting my pack and sauntering off once again up the now more open glen.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'd often wondered how Marble Lodge came about its name until I looked closely at the sash window to the left of the doorway where you can see the remnants of marble facings either side of the top sash. Similarly, the sash window head to the right of the doorway. Over the years it either succumbed to the harsh winters or the Estate decided it was too grand for the incumbent? Let's hope it was the harsh winters.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFPe2gDHD2WC0JOdPQhf5V-VXqJyx8KTmqFikdt1nbbj8oO1KZ4dgbeoFtv--hnLI6_V8SS3ChRFzUsjXU6yYf9CvWVGlxy1HGPJk8sNcx7Qu7pgsFBmSCxvj_bYVzmziNcbmWE4j7SVjk0hhEktNqOvA5y0Bow-LvWHoNtRUSefEMGzM4Ic/s4032/20220520_115145~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2931" data-original-width="4032" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFPe2gDHD2WC0JOdPQhf5V-VXqJyx8KTmqFikdt1nbbj8oO1KZ4dgbeoFtv--hnLI6_V8SS3ChRFzUsjXU6yYf9CvWVGlxy1HGPJk8sNcx7Qu7pgsFBmSCxvj_bYVzmziNcbmWE4j7SVjk0hhEktNqOvA5y0Bow-LvWHoNtRUSefEMGzM4Ic/w640-h466/20220520_115145~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MARBLE LODGE - YOU CAN RENT THIS AS A HOLIDAY HOME</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I beetled onwards up the glen, passing a flurry of tree fettling around Forest Lodge following the storms earlier in the year. If you're a half decent tree surgeon or forester you'll be busy for years up here as there's huge amount of fallen timber that needs clearing to make the plantations safe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a good half hour for lunch as I lay against an old wire fence at the edge of the plantation where the footpath zig-zags crazily up the hillside heading for Carn a' Chlamain. I watched a highly skilled JCB driver clear fallen trees with the gentlest of encouragement. These guys earn their money.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCL-NS0M6PazJlDEjexZ4_qtK_C8FrtNbeMfisU_-5sC82_hMV39XiZ6bkCc9zgLun_BJjjTzy3oT5tuc3Cy3wYTTau9Uk1oeqWuWJkVnHDbMsbqi0qYlGwg5O0SWFzqY-SFDgoJgGcPn84SWNmLdpdMewWr63up_afDEibb-SNrnanGUVfQ/s1352/Screenshot%202022-09-11%20145945%20PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1352" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCL-NS0M6PazJlDEjexZ4_qtK_C8FrtNbeMfisU_-5sC82_hMV39XiZ6bkCc9zgLun_BJjjTzy3oT5tuc3Cy3wYTTau9Uk1oeqWuWJkVnHDbMsbqi0qYlGwg5O0SWFzqY-SFDgoJgGcPn84SWNmLdpdMewWr63up_afDEibb-SNrnanGUVfQ/w640-h418/Screenshot%202022-09-11%20145945%20PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">DAY EIGHT, FRIDAY AFTERNOON: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN NEW WINDOW<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 28km<div>Ascent: 800m<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">It was a bit cooler now, with the wind freshening and bringing with it some heavier cloud. I was in no particular hurry so set off at my standard pace. I'd had lunch just shy of halfway to my intended overnight at Bynack Lodge, but once there I had only to pop up the Notch, have a bite to eat and get some rest so there was plenty of time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhma_ur4V6jgurMVqZ_BwahPjwvXrGveJndRPX3mkE90Wat27tYxCsE3s5Wvge2-saUI4yJStTHW2rFCJ8N_muNIoq0Q0sEg8209rgZtSmKLkmKt6_RPjTgKFvbaMfIYjFYx_m88orRw6fL1XfPQjATVB_h56UI1bNJabi0Rp2v5zba-407A3c/s3839/20220520_134909.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2986" data-original-width="3839" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhma_ur4V6jgurMVqZ_BwahPjwvXrGveJndRPX3mkE90Wat27tYxCsE3s5Wvge2-saUI4yJStTHW2rFCJ8N_muNIoq0Q0sEg8209rgZtSmKLkmKt6_RPjTgKFvbaMfIYjFYx_m88orRw6fL1XfPQjATVB_h56UI1bNJabi0Rp2v5zba-407A3c/w640-h498/20220520_134909.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING UP THE TRENCH TO THE LAST PLANTATION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJwd4JXGvQo1pRQABbZGH4Fz_KN31KUxR3Nwbjz5MpHBs6BU-BWC3_VMFs_pp1eHT8awRLbJMD57a9Ls_ahTBuiTeU-gg9B1XNi0LKGm-PNgBy7fpgc9msmAZvCaYT-VLMVQw6i6EE4Lg-Vsl-XYypiyNkUpXCZNJpM9caRo4N5CQ5NWAKpk/s4008/20220520_142236.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="4008" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJwd4JXGvQo1pRQABbZGH4Fz_KN31KUxR3Nwbjz5MpHBs6BU-BWC3_VMFs_pp1eHT8awRLbJMD57a9Ls_ahTBuiTeU-gg9B1XNi0LKGm-PNgBy7fpgc9msmAZvCaYT-VLMVQw6i6EE4Lg-Vsl-XYypiyNkUpXCZNJpM9caRo4N5CQ5NWAKpk/w640-h396/20220520_142236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING BACK DOWN THE GLEN. THE BRIDGE AT NORTHING 763 LEADS TO A GREAT CAMP SPOT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was just shy of eight clicks of easy walking to Bedford Bridge and so I made that my target for my next stop, where I thought it was probable that Jayme, Peter and Mario would overhaul me. There were a mountain bike couple who stuttered past me as I neared the bridge; I really don't get mountain biking at all. The man was miles ahead of his partner and both looked a sweaty, muddy mess. They were aiming to see the Falls of Tarf and then they were to peddle back again, all the way down to Blair. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64DSGBb2jfjLA3DpMM-rfpZRsGjW8C60n7YLTEnV4WpGEu1jLvmGsmIrv9xOsVlkZsCIzb5mY-dbFNll0UlTr4-MKQyJz5m6hmmfj39D6-U91K2xEYzD7UGt3ovesDi0o5Dn5GBOm-3XyGayZO0uKkvEM0HCF3L0zsArABRHwKGo3Q83UQno/s3377/20220520_153728.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3377" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64DSGBb2jfjLA3DpMM-rfpZRsGjW8C60n7YLTEnV4WpGEu1jLvmGsmIrv9xOsVlkZsCIzb5mY-dbFNll0UlTr4-MKQyJz5m6hmmfj39D6-U91K2xEYzD7UGt3ovesDi0o5Dn5GBOm-3XyGayZO0uKkvEM0HCF3L0zsArABRHwKGo3Q83UQno/w640-h454/20220520_153728.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BEDFORD BRIDGE, SPANNING TARF WATER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Within a quarter of an hour of my arrival at the bridge and climbing into my shell clothing to cut out the now strong cold wind the three musketeers hove into view along with their very own D'Artagnan in the shape of Paul Edmondson.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU27XfzvY7J7CyBGciZph1RsxEWiUwWgbtaLWzbom2ii4UVm9lF09kDlv62HA22uc49wGvg_nZjVq3vMGTb6feJYAKmXeLHjMyWYGCStzD14Terfc9qr8O6T4ls-XV6_6VTa2PRWhu_XbaTP1G40y13Us7d48bRPCUBh2qJCd3K5elRa5NRI/s3412/20220520_155545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2439" data-original-width="3412" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU27XfzvY7J7CyBGciZph1RsxEWiUwWgbtaLWzbom2ii4UVm9lF09kDlv62HA22uc49wGvg_nZjVq3vMGTb6feJYAKmXeLHjMyWYGCStzD14Terfc9qr8O6T4ls-XV6_6VTa2PRWhu_XbaTP1G40y13Us7d48bRPCUBh2qJCd3K5elRa5NRI/w640-h458/20220520_155545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_tiJx0vI2v3HQRbH-oHvuN3v7l0Ahd2Yl7pWrszunEM3wGP-vik_HA1GDCsZ-3_4TdtbthDRMoh5z8Azm55QFWj-HIl_yU6rb6RG-xF0h1DOSr4j0oorJZv5XTfm8sk6F4ba2rTf5fAFOs9sUdEvCOPmTY5Ayh43iarGfmx7SblDKkmFNMw/s3415/20220520_155621.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2724" data-original-width="3415" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_tiJx0vI2v3HQRbH-oHvuN3v7l0Ahd2Yl7pWrszunEM3wGP-vik_HA1GDCsZ-3_4TdtbthDRMoh5z8Azm55QFWj-HIl_yU6rb6RG-xF0h1DOSr4j0oorJZv5XTfm8sk6F4ba2rTf5fAFOs9sUdEvCOPmTY5Ayh43iarGfmx7SblDKkmFNMw/w640-h510/20220520_155621.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">L-R: PAUL, MARIO, PETER AND JAYME</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We sat and chatted for a good half hour or so. They had also hardly seen a soul on their crossings. I declared quite soundly that I had hated the 25th Challenge because I had hardly seen a soul with the Challenge split into two halves, and this year's Challenge was an even more extreme split of start days. Because the Covid precautions in Scotland were far more extreme than those of England, purely for political reasons and not medical, I understood why the decision was taken - and made a good six months before the Challenge was to take place - to split the Challenge into smaller groups, but this did not stop me loathing the result with a vengeance. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today I learned that next year's Challenge is also going to be split into two start days - and it appears that we are to be given the start day and not get a choice. I'm going to hate that too, as in effect we're chopping the Challenge in half once again so there will be half as many Challengers you're likely to bump into - and bumping into like minded souls was one of the key foundations upon which Hamish and Roger built the event. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is an incredibly poor decision.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul was the first to move as he was planning to make for the new red bothy currently being refurbished at the Geldie Burn. Within a few moments the international gang of three also got to their feet as stopping wasn't their style. I happily let them go as they were far quicker than my gentle plod and I had boots to tighten and food to stow away. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I climbed away on the single track up the glen's gorge I looked back to the incoming weather. It didn't look inspiring but it was coming from behind so this was likely to be a pleasure after the frontal onslaught of the first few days of the walk.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW5Esz40njI7kyF54AUIP07MSe5JC6DQLirkAE3pSFUBBFz6u97UbCDU8yCejEU76VzDXdjwgmX0tN0uTiRj94a7vOPF27ctIrhWZLLoS4bnmCJSeujTwhrSLP3su4McwWQLkJUqsfPR9mXdC5KTrQkFD-PbYtXbaBmOzOIb9mKw_Wv7JfE0/s4032/20220520_170551.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW5Esz40njI7kyF54AUIP07MSe5JC6DQLirkAE3pSFUBBFz6u97UbCDU8yCejEU76VzDXdjwgmX0tN0uTiRj94a7vOPF27ctIrhWZLLoS4bnmCJSeujTwhrSLP3su4McwWQLkJUqsfPR9mXdC5KTrQkFD-PbYtXbaBmOzOIb9mKw_Wv7JfE0/w640-h480/20220520_170551.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FIVE MINUTES PAST FIVE, LOOKING BACK AT THE INCOMING WEATHER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTtpxQ7rqm7bUm6dxh9RkPZ0rlSz1-wcaYiVm5mI0HHmP_0r3frg0SwwDuSX855B_Djs4TYm8CLx_qwDbAgEO4B9cJ3HlBKtyanDx4vDmn-5bnTPRzWd_S5AY-tgN5KWKHTx0nuhQUr1QeY_w6J-rSQyCFVw1Kd5HNnFzEizFvIsCDHH6Nvs/s2682/20220520_172516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2682" data-original-width="2682" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTtpxQ7rqm7bUm6dxh9RkPZ0rlSz1-wcaYiVm5mI0HHmP_0r3frg0SwwDuSX855B_Djs4TYm8CLx_qwDbAgEO4B9cJ3HlBKtyanDx4vDmn-5bnTPRzWd_S5AY-tgN5KWKHTx0nuhQUr1QeY_w6J-rSQyCFVw1Kd5HNnFzEizFvIsCDHH6Nvs/w640-h640/20220520_172516.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TWENTY FIVE MINUTES PAST FIVE. INCOMING!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first shower arrived around five thirty, but it was nothing to get worked up about - it was actually quite pleasant. After the initial front passed it was light spotty stuff that didn't require a hood and so all was well with my world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcGrcxGmPOEdwMoIil5EyMPsti0WECzP55hivw3RMVi6n--WGWMfAYQHeYcWbbXByfpS5_3RljegsrsCsOunU0yWwj7XHFttRJBB06U1T5VdoaeRTWfgp5q5t8BhfagL14nmnJkpHmoIUwdbDTR8zkBU404qW_yEwU5vSLgye8G_eR7_HtrY/s3122/20220520_174918.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2188" data-original-width="3122" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcGrcxGmPOEdwMoIil5EyMPsti0WECzP55hivw3RMVi6n--WGWMfAYQHeYcWbbXByfpS5_3RljegsrsCsOunU0yWwj7XHFttRJBB06U1T5VdoaeRTWfgp5q5t8BhfagL14nmnJkpHmoIUwdbDTR8zkBU404qW_yEwU5vSLgye8G_eR7_HtrY/w640-h448/20220520_174918.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TEN TO SIX - THE FIRST SHOWERS HAVING PASSED.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL7gyakFs7MK3IZHFt3NHN1m6pKaUhDaoftwG8ht9_0bZDG4uEnMNUPMvpuQ-ft3EPHlHMekWkRd9QbowQKWYhfTPtPQVLr1zPQZzIYrMd0o8h-cgoKz6UX6fdDsaVgB4G5oTUWAMhFSIwjDPx-OIs5VVT7-1aZ5a1RENzkBvULC2QfPjxRQ/s3596/20220520_180332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="3596" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL7gyakFs7MK3IZHFt3NHN1m6pKaUhDaoftwG8ht9_0bZDG4uEnMNUPMvpuQ-ft3EPHlHMekWkRd9QbowQKWYhfTPtPQVLr1zPQZzIYrMd0o8h-cgoKz6UX6fdDsaVgB4G5oTUWAMhFSIwjDPx-OIs5VVT7-1aZ5a1RENzkBvULC2QfPjxRQ/w640-h492/20220520_180332.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FIVE PAST SIX - ABOUT A MILE TO GO</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As I turned up the track to the ruin of Bynack Lodge the heavens opened. It was straight down stuff the size of pennies. I had a brief chat with Jayme who braved the downpour for a moment, and then set about flipping up Nathalie Notch, having first cleared the ground of half a hundredweight of Larch branches, general twigginess and rabbit and deer droppings that would make life uncomfortable as a camper. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I lay back in my little tent of happiness quite pleased with how the day had gone and within moments had crashed out until I woke in the very small hours, so climbed into my sleeping bag for another solid slab of slumber.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQUsvzbesBK1g11DsEcKjrCrXVHjucC0Zcf7-QcHYBOy6ofNBZkVxgra5wtuBffSQbVoz_oGR1qQYOeOjMxn1JqeMLwf-rhoNDkp_C1BxoyoOD7MyuELJ4qWveWg8bciVvQPMPMPjhwj6dAAwXnBUSIhOrASqn7XjMC8QYDXPgdLmmQEJTLE/s1955/Screenshot_20220520-191600_Memory-Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="1895" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQUsvzbesBK1g11DsEcKjrCrXVHjucC0Zcf7-QcHYBOy6ofNBZkVxgra5wtuBffSQbVoz_oGR1qQYOeOjMxn1JqeMLwf-rhoNDkp_C1BxoyoOD7MyuELJ4qWveWg8bciVvQPMPMPjhwj6dAAwXnBUSIhOrASqn7XjMC8QYDXPgdLmmQEJTLE/w388-h400/Screenshot_20220520-191600_Memory-Map.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TONIGHT'S LODGINGS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rVsy2ZDu-FsiWmAoIaLlpclRDSDoDreqHOu1UYLssUu4NDkkiKirmMSGeKUWP1OS6jNbM590dGka01BSR9XP-zCAngCibwfbqzGBNmJuPsxB8cUCl4hLvAFrcGuCIgwW4bzKLQJ-p3i7MQlIqYHtzntblIvmkV-HlV6-k-n9bukn62EMGQg/s1791/Screenshot_20220521-061502_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rVsy2ZDu-FsiWmAoIaLlpclRDSDoDreqHOu1UYLssUu4NDkkiKirmMSGeKUWP1OS6jNbM590dGka01BSR9XP-zCAngCibwfbqzGBNmJuPsxB8cUCl4hLvAFrcGuCIgwW4bzKLQJ-p3i7MQlIqYHtzntblIvmkV-HlV6-k-n9bukn62EMGQg/w241-h400/Screenshot_20220521-061502_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWzH0-Er0au6WIRuVi6Djc0m3YTK7dAnExO3wb2N2pY_2wJD55LSIkegD6r3jjhXYLdaZKwjULnUkKv81IDzApsj6m0oavB3tsvRiEpngi6ltJiylOGWHex2iwwy0nxrH1IUsoU5RcKo-z93f1W4kvPYz0rjC5Mu9wfM96joRech9Y8FKrIY/s2025/Screenshot_20220521-061441_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWzH0-Er0au6WIRuVi6Djc0m3YTK7dAnExO3wb2N2pY_2wJD55LSIkegD6r3jjhXYLdaZKwjULnUkKv81IDzApsj6m0oavB3tsvRiEpngi6ltJiylOGWHex2iwwy0nxrH1IUsoU5RcKo-z93f1W4kvPYz0rjC5Mu9wfM96joRech9Y8FKrIY/w214-h400/Screenshot_20220521-061441_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY NINE, SATURDAY: BYNACK LODGE TO BRAEMAR</u></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span>(or, An easy day to the Fife Arms Hotel bar)</span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI0fgPm9z19BnW1vmirAMglR76vYg6H5wwLzcpHfBj_YSyupixdAb29iBRt84LL9hSSPyE6b9Rn47uP6a8hQpVhaM1_uU302VE7dtXU8G5GYbLSKslLKFUZB4V9wnfMgxfaRVkSD9ifpiLgPPNh0qkGlC-de19uq1GzOud6geSgih19hF4FM/s1402/Screenshot%202022-09-11%20165039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1402" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI0fgPm9z19BnW1vmirAMglR76vYg6H5wwLzcpHfBj_YSyupixdAb29iBRt84LL9hSSPyE6b9Rn47uP6a8hQpVhaM1_uU302VE7dtXU8G5GYbLSKslLKFUZB4V9wnfMgxfaRVkSD9ifpiLgPPNh0qkGlC-de19uq1GzOud6geSgih19hF4FM/w640-h342/Screenshot%202022-09-11%20165039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY NINE: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 20 km</div><div>Ascent: 230 m<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Now then, sit up straight at the back and take note: Today you'll see quite a few pictures of Challengers. This is my ninth day of fourteen on the TGO Challenge and at long last I'm bumping into other Challengers! I know I've already introduced you to Paul, Mario, Peter and Jayme, but today I'm going to be walking with and seeing many more! After a veritable drought, there's now a flood of wonderful people all battling the elements, all suffering tweaks and pulls, and all sporting smiles and suntans.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGNjymxJKxPlJgq5MQ8t5W019ygGfomz3g8CJpEbvE-YsMh9LcOZeN4VsrfSqq44XzyUJxq21c7hZbOZKZmd-mPkXH9iP45R3bIdgXCJHwvhinOQtbSPVAUwuKI1HHn7uZ48N3w0G5MNltdQB9EVPTdX7njLvS_CeONxsRnfYTZ5w5MBM9W4/s4032/20220521_062226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGNjymxJKxPlJgq5MQ8t5W019ygGfomz3g8CJpEbvE-YsMh9LcOZeN4VsrfSqq44XzyUJxq21c7hZbOZKZmd-mPkXH9iP45R3bIdgXCJHwvhinOQtbSPVAUwuKI1HHn7uZ48N3w0G5MNltdQB9EVPTdX7njLvS_CeONxsRnfYTZ5w5MBM9W4/w640-h480/20220521_062226.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">UP AND ABOUT AT 6:20AM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm up and about at a sensible time and poking around the ruins to see what I had missed last night as I pitched Nathalie in the pelting downpour. It's an atmospheric spot with decent shelter from bad weather and top drawer views from your pitch. Baked bars and orange juice for breakfast and I was ready to pack everything away.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAu3SphLAZDno9VsFgzs1R_XvVeRepo_l5255yofiFA12ExPy36QSR2wou-ArQF1JZk4WastPLkfYufKhlsI3v3vbVxCuFB6sJ7F1OoSgfN68Tc6R0DKRvkCbPnO5n8t10qzos9n_80Fz7ArTIUnpc6C25rVRHj1WlAJ1-yiH6WAyQXiDM0w/s4032/20220521_062201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAu3SphLAZDno9VsFgzs1R_XvVeRepo_l5255yofiFA12ExPy36QSR2wou-ArQF1JZk4WastPLkfYufKhlsI3v3vbVxCuFB6sJ7F1OoSgfN68Tc6R0DKRvkCbPnO5n8t10qzos9n_80Fz7ArTIUnpc6C25rVRHj1WlAJ1-yiH6WAyQXiDM0w/w640-h480/20220521_062201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING DOWN THE BYNACK BURN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9aXglp6deaxsGOiEz16y2j9FiDNXR9QNxAJShZ-DXfkPlPh0mvFjXgzpsrI9o8CrKHRh5sI3E4yV-ya5S2xl9U6nmFtd5L3-947txMKWG5_r9b6LHOb1KwI5Hoff2pgCeNxiVWUdBTeWw3Q3JZvKgdKM-nizPBqw6ctBxVYwIPJaDxHnId0/s4032/20220521_063125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9aXglp6deaxsGOiEz16y2j9FiDNXR9QNxAJShZ-DXfkPlPh0mvFjXgzpsrI9o8CrKHRh5sI3E4yV-ya5S2xl9U6nmFtd5L3-947txMKWG5_r9b6LHOb1KwI5Hoff2pgCeNxiVWUdBTeWw3Q3JZvKgdKM-nizPBqw6ctBxVYwIPJaDxHnId0/w640-h480/20220521_063125.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6:30 AM. BACK IN THE WARMTH OF MY BAG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was away by a quarter past eight and made light of the Bynack Burn, which bode well for the Geldie as they're usually in synch with each other in terms of crossability. As I strolled north towards the Geldie Burn I bumped into three early risers from the Backpacking Club who were heading towards me. You do meet good people in the hills and they cheerily let me know that the Geldie was a pussycat this morning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="373" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zbCpCXBQbQc" width="639" youtube-src-id="zbCpCXBQbQc"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">THE BYNACK BURN AT A QUARTER TO NINE</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrAaseTxKt1sjuKXQWgSOOGAagZubO0ILsCeU-QUVdmv-P2DZSbqJlNDi6zcVrfaB8c9OaC8Yt3lSYjeY9fs9LsavHLCXNLS6zfBay3zQkLh6lqP1viIdM7Nup1nkMOPneIRliDjXPtog8Bg6FxmtYFfz_3Po4mZlMVGirzCdNzNpgi9BaFU/s3924/20220521_084610.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2784" data-original-width="3924" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrAaseTxKt1sjuKXQWgSOOGAagZubO0ILsCeU-QUVdmv-P2DZSbqJlNDi6zcVrfaB8c9OaC8Yt3lSYjeY9fs9LsavHLCXNLS6zfBay3zQkLh6lqP1viIdM7Nup1nkMOPneIRliDjXPtog8Bg6FxmtYFfz_3Po4mZlMVGirzCdNzNpgi9BaFU/w640-h454/20220521_084610.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING BACK UP THE BYNACK BURN TO BYNACK LODGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When in spate the Geldie Burn can be a real problem requiring extreme care to cross safely. Today, my Backpacker Club friends were spot on. After a brief inspection I was soon wobbling my way across from boulder to boulder, very aware that on the far bank there were three souls I thought I recognised, who had whipped out their cameras and phones to record my imminent demise, so sure were they of my headlong plunge into the ford.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0pLp1wvqVDK7RlQg3doOV51V0Y7ZXSRlG_6514nKQrIlrhDtXPFdckyJUKOtOaLtujwxxQv5IMPOPe9sKYfoZR7-o7g4oyNlzqKvu3VD42h46jCgXFqON5SrTwReBnnZAAYSD3hnxd-7sCUoJWHTl5HzCCsjUHWFEoYlXVyfAW1SAen_N6k/s2009/285446549_10159881305151069_7210190264025241450_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2009" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0pLp1wvqVDK7RlQg3doOV51V0Y7ZXSRlG_6514nKQrIlrhDtXPFdckyJUKOtOaLtujwxxQv5IMPOPe9sKYfoZR7-o7g4oyNlzqKvu3VD42h46jCgXFqON5SrTwReBnnZAAYSD3hnxd-7sCUoJWHTl5HzCCsjUHWFEoYlXVyfAW1SAen_N6k/w640-h458/285446549_10159881305151069_7210190264025241450_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOUISE'S PICTURE: NINE O'CLOCK, STARTING TO FORD THE GELDIE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqygaE8mY4a7sjzBg2WA7OW80ZyW9JsNGarSYrUJ3h3541vKdVcdoq2EbP65ujsN4my9KkmVmR7E8JCmSpoeizEM7WZHOoO3ZLHaFhTl9Vd2JDxvXoh01IUMWLplEv5ho-Ubi5f_NU0BWZJ7KxQ79AbpjPhRw8GKO7twpV75oksrfmyP6W7c/s4119/dsc03995.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2317" data-original-width="4119" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqygaE8mY4a7sjzBg2WA7OW80ZyW9JsNGarSYrUJ3h3541vKdVcdoq2EbP65ujsN4my9KkmVmR7E8JCmSpoeizEM7WZHOoO3ZLHaFhTl9Vd2JDxvXoh01IUMWLplEv5ho-Ubi5f_NU0BWZJ7KxQ79AbpjPhRw8GKO7twpV75oksrfmyP6W7c/w640-h360/dsc03995.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EMMA'S PICTURE, 9:01 </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Swiped from the good Doctor's photo album: <i>"We met Alan who was coming up Glen Tilt - no one else can rock that acid yellow look." </i>Acid yellow? I had always thought it was saffron. A cheerful colour for the gloomier days?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And lastly, here's Louise's video of my stick-thin legs wobbling over the rocks. (Spike: "His legs hung from his underpants like two pieces of knotted string.")</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="358" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bOzjx3_Lrck" width="641" youtube-src-id="bOzjx3_Lrck"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOUISE'S VIDEO</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The malevolent trio who wished me nothing but misfortune can now be introduced: Barry, who it should be said is in fact a sterling fellow and had not produced a recording device during my wobbles over the Geldie but through association is doomed nonetheless, Louise - a known cad and bounder who recorded still and moving images, and the Doc, who to her credit only took an image or two, preferring to watch the actual submersion through her own eyes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was a wonderful meeting, as I do not believe any of us were on our route sheets' fine weather routes. They had been camped at the soon to be new bothy, no more than a couple of hundred yards away, having had the luxury of porcelain to make their overnight experiences complete. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We headed off, Emma teaming up with Barry, as I learned of the dramas Louise had encountered earlier on in her trip. I recommend a read of <a href="http://gemini-challenge.blogspot.com/p/the-great-outdoors-challenge-2022.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">her blog of the trip</span></a> - she certainly had an interesting time!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOK_VU2jbsFdMdQjxvX2pRi7fCqlgknKbdKFSupSTTgwK5fOB8Rvggqw9vf6mvmAoat-5mxQjaxwIxdBAgjhJlSARFBbJ4PvrCJuievL4b2XcOphSp-9P4V_VQshqthrwpOsQJhwozi-rPd5j2AKqsFJeDTr-dt5r2zWEOTMej6NMBxIQwAA/s4232/dsc03996.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="4232" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOK_VU2jbsFdMdQjxvX2pRi7fCqlgknKbdKFSupSTTgwK5fOB8Rvggqw9vf6mvmAoat-5mxQjaxwIxdBAgjhJlSARFBbJ4PvrCJuievL4b2XcOphSp-9P4V_VQshqthrwpOsQJhwozi-rPd5j2AKqsFJeDTr-dt5r2zWEOTMej6NMBxIQwAA/w640-h360/dsc03996.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PHOTO C/O EMMA: WHITE BRIDGE, WITH BARRY, LOUISE, AND ME IN A NATTY SAFFRON JACKET</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were of course overhauled by racing snakes Mario, Peter and Jayme - I'm not quite sure what had happened to Paul, but each looked well fed and all sported new gear.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzclKHY6ueuMQARoR5dO-h-Wkm9sojQqg3MNZaabzyZ5nkfaCJ3I3logEjmF2tSjkYJrStnFSpz4mOeagxhJKtt8DIAKD_BGWnctYp3_LRgzNQYP1qPVmgu_KvFnzF2E4VHq7Bn2D4ppfWv6eZ0xl1ripSReE4fFFPnd3uZp4KiMjI4lYynoE/s3042/dsc03997.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2264" data-original-width="3042" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzclKHY6ueuMQARoR5dO-h-Wkm9sojQqg3MNZaabzyZ5nkfaCJ3I3logEjmF2tSjkYJrStnFSpz4mOeagxhJKtt8DIAKD_BGWnctYp3_LRgzNQYP1qPVmgu_KvFnzF2E4VHq7Bn2D4ppfWv6eZ0xl1ripSReE4fFFPnd3uZp4KiMjI4lYynoE/w640-h476/dsc03997.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PHOTO C/O EMMA: AT TOMNANMOINE - MARIO, BARRY, ME PETER, LOUISE & JAYME</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvUWpKY_xJhqtPzPQRIR2diUwnnbT5hSrKeknryJjTgCYeTphmAD2iJ0phr3KsckoPdWod1rJHDrhmXqNeCK0Ue3-JsLHWTBTymGSP4UG5tpr6eH2rVhRcBD1Jt9p8HPP2AJdOTdjiINfSEaJQn1-i4_PJAvbsU8gxQLeLmx14wRXbP53cAs/s3492/20220521_102704.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3492" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvUWpKY_xJhqtPzPQRIR2diUwnnbT5hSrKeknryJjTgCYeTphmAD2iJ0phr3KsckoPdWod1rJHDrhmXqNeCK0Ue3-JsLHWTBTymGSP4UG5tpr6eH2rVhRcBD1Jt9p8HPP2AJdOTdjiINfSEaJQn1-i4_PJAvbsU8gxQLeLmx14wRXbP53cAs/w640-h554/20220521_102704.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BARRY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSFWZ2oW4-fd1Q_5_UP-MJrV3eTKL8H7GZ-W8iU3GsiBe4UbWWMBud_j6j3xzBY484zEN7taOK1Cu0e0cyfsL0z7IwGBebfhKJYhIBhLtj4M7JmimR4whooZcDzMCroZVh05DzVDkSwLAVSjJNCmebSmtwU6RMnw3uq-OcComOtxm3lpgozY/s3251/20220521_102712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="3251" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSFWZ2oW4-fd1Q_5_UP-MJrV3eTKL8H7GZ-W8iU3GsiBe4UbWWMBud_j6j3xzBY484zEN7taOK1Cu0e0cyfsL0z7IwGBebfhKJYhIBhLtj4M7JmimR4whooZcDzMCroZVh05DzVDkSwLAVSjJNCmebSmtwU6RMnw3uq-OcComOtxm3lpgozY/w640-h460/20220521_102712.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PETER & JAYME'S BEARD COMPETITION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgb4ZMwP_UMvwC2BeRx6wwzf1OJwSNu3v8LBCylG2pJMe8YdDJEQU9oMdjYrmurtsm_4ffipvQ_7nywJR5Z45pG2FQq7UkcuaVprDkCFkzupAruvBwvJ-CU1BzKxt96k6vTOhh8hjoeBqR-rKNlTBCP8UkdeLd5QGF7xmhEAD5kMSpViqcOk/s2535/20220521_102727.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="2183" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgb4ZMwP_UMvwC2BeRx6wwzf1OJwSNu3v8LBCylG2pJMe8YdDJEQU9oMdjYrmurtsm_4ffipvQ_7nywJR5Z45pG2FQq7UkcuaVprDkCFkzupAruvBwvJ-CU1BzKxt96k6vTOhh8hjoeBqR-rKNlTBCP8UkdeLd5QGF7xmhEAD5kMSpViqcOk/w552-h640/20220521_102727.jpg" width="552" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOVELY MARIO</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F0U9Ok5v8-PiHGH1_RhCNNrnvWZg1Xu3iAC8PL0bpys12RmttyvOHUDtV3owvtdRcAWVaPPb6Bb8-Tip-FezlaTyzpWTE39hmIOajzysYAXCbtF31DnIsA42mfSRuB2SXEYNlH9D8Hd_PbS2DfGTWfNxhoatYmNmQL3v-5Ao-lRL-OSSaZE/s3185/20220521_102742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3185" data-original-width="2565" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F0U9Ok5v8-PiHGH1_RhCNNrnvWZg1Xu3iAC8PL0bpys12RmttyvOHUDtV3owvtdRcAWVaPPb6Bb8-Tip-FezlaTyzpWTE39hmIOajzysYAXCbtF31DnIsA42mfSRuB2SXEYNlH9D8Hd_PbS2DfGTWfNxhoatYmNmQL3v-5Ao-lRL-OSSaZE/w516-h640/20220521_102742.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOUISE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpykeQz5sZUwfveQiPkw0rQ2lkMZepXKUpRe4tcIfUxqlPaqmFdOftQalZtw6y9Fh_U0UMvWmCmtq-seVlyyrzKJIpCgB3Qd7OHOulMn7s3I6qdScTJH0Yx5XfFAgZOMI_gYJYtp8ElFNB2qF4uka36ShzW_ivJbdj8roma3i35P6sObnLs/s3940/20220521_102922.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="3940" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpykeQz5sZUwfveQiPkw0rQ2lkMZepXKUpRe4tcIfUxqlPaqmFdOftQalZtw6y9Fh_U0UMvWmCmtq-seVlyyrzKJIpCgB3Qd7OHOulMn7s3I6qdScTJH0Yx5XfFAgZOMI_gYJYtp8ElFNB2qF4uka36ShzW_ivJbdj8roma3i35P6sObnLs/w640-h408/20220521_102922.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING TOWARDS THE LINN OF DEE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_ukZfP-p_gyrhoaBa0o2rTsmyPmP5qDnGw0uXP9XPXX824d0KIhWIKHGRXMWUWmz7RmI2DyshgpN9KCgKtgEyYjhNqFucbHbF0-8RZmtd8Kj89KrVYSyTsxO9Rk0TA6Zi2jSCQtJ6xl3Z3rKLA9Qvxf7gbXwP5hJoqev9KNLLS_eAq2_tMk/s3896/dsc03998.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2986" data-original-width="3896" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_ukZfP-p_gyrhoaBa0o2rTsmyPmP5qDnGw0uXP9XPXX824d0KIhWIKHGRXMWUWmz7RmI2DyshgpN9KCgKtgEyYjhNqFucbHbF0-8RZmtd8Kj89KrVYSyTsxO9Rk0TA6Zi2jSCQtJ6xl3Z3rKLA9Qvxf7gbXwP5hJoqev9KNLLS_eAq2_tMk/w640-h490/dsc03998.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TARMAC, THE LINN OF DEE AND A WELCOME NOTICE FROM MAR LODGE: RIGHT-CLICK TO BLOW UP IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mar Lodge is a lot further than memory allows and so the stretch of tarmac on the map between the Linn of Dee and the Lodge is another candidate for the scissors. Louise, Barry and the musketeers strode on ahead to scoff the remaining biscuits laid on by Mar Lodge. It was as well that Ben Dolphin, in his new role as a permanent ranger at the lodge, had noticed the ravenous hordes' scandalous behaviour as just as we collapsed into the waiting chairs he topped up the biscuit plate. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuAGulWD22tKfnsaItQYe4lNUvIFJCrWXx0gngahRuaso6uFGOiAyaVzWX-PTw_FjPSvEgyhGqXhoa-swngz_pkbauwME5nt_gace3A8dO_1jTDJUpfw03AT3FYbGAqZ5QXdgSRIuYlLalslSl9bXkDO5fznZCx0NZQ7Nfrw2ZSWc3AEG-Ec/s3572/20220521_131536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3572" data-original-width="2593" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuAGulWD22tKfnsaItQYe4lNUvIFJCrWXx0gngahRuaso6uFGOiAyaVzWX-PTw_FjPSvEgyhGqXhoa-swngz_pkbauwME5nt_gace3A8dO_1jTDJUpfw03AT3FYbGAqZ5QXdgSRIuYlLalslSl9bXkDO5fznZCx0NZQ7Nfrw2ZSWc3AEG-Ec/w464-h640/20220521_131536.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE MAGNIFICENT BEN DOLPHIN AT MAR LODGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">With time on our side we spent almost an hour and a half in our chairs, blissfully happy. This walking lark is all very well, but after all said and done, you only walk to get somewhere and this seemed like an excellent somewhere to cherish.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8ZsvLxbAwrnx672r33ypKwYJfbJPAx_SOSDKhgWTGUZ-xK5wpFN79SmwMVpePQkTpE3sAJ6kBDadY71EpQ0sKyhbmgHVVOWeMw7jK98Z5OwDnYDNlLMbhA3pjxNFzYuAC4_KJxnj6s7pt9oJzqz8p3rFhdyosfmwW8EfX8eqc0C7L-yQJjs/s4032/20220521_131555.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8ZsvLxbAwrnx672r33ypKwYJfbJPAx_SOSDKhgWTGUZ-xK5wpFN79SmwMVpePQkTpE3sAJ6kBDadY71EpQ0sKyhbmgHVVOWeMw7jK98Z5OwDnYDNlLMbhA3pjxNFzYuAC4_KJxnj6s7pt9oJzqz8p3rFhdyosfmwW8EfX8eqc0C7L-yQJjs/w480-h640/20220521_131555.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A MAGNIFICENT PICTURE OF LOUISE (TRUST ME, THERE WERE WORSE!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDvOO5L1XmQgJ2Q9FgR97x2eksPg6VbHg1lBL5SVS2d7xBdPaQAR6WHx-6mglhzzpk-kzwl4mk_yI-FuxTSagxSrEYsaxqKWrdxV7eVCAlL0j6Xh-jD-cg75T_H6sWWC1bnzBc5N-h3Xo9dwvHu04sEYOBt6jWqACJVKxobKypfW90wondX8/s912/20220530_080034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="912" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDvOO5L1XmQgJ2Q9FgR97x2eksPg6VbHg1lBL5SVS2d7xBdPaQAR6WHx-6mglhzzpk-kzwl4mk_yI-FuxTSagxSrEYsaxqKWrdxV7eVCAlL0j6Xh-jD-cg75T_H6sWWC1bnzBc5N-h3Xo9dwvHu04sEYOBt6jWqACJVKxobKypfW90wondX8/w640-h308/20220530_080034.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BEN'S PICTURE OF BARRY, LOUISE, ME & EMMA</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the boys rushed off towards Braemar, no doubt via a few Munros and Corbetts such was their zeal for progress.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Eventually, shamed by other Challengers arriving and then departing whilst we luxuriated doing absolutely bugger all - an art in itself, perhaps we should apply to the Arts Council for a grant - we stirred our stumps as Louise fretted over her impending marathon clothes washing session.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NrV9HazufAayR9MFUucEUpAXWISgOd0ptzZfK2y4h7rWkBCTHYYOYyXz2tTfRilBGun9VDu47Jscxn0_LPZtvilS9b4OQek9qjAxShIpB2jzKcHAQChpsAJufLIWFVjHF6RNk2bwehwQk1P1HzZi7gdsXCeVDF2GVUQiE3HHla-GLthmimM/s2771/20220521_133814~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2771" data-original-width="2646" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NrV9HazufAayR9MFUucEUpAXWISgOd0ptzZfK2y4h7rWkBCTHYYOYyXz2tTfRilBGun9VDu47Jscxn0_LPZtvilS9b4OQek9qjAxShIpB2jzKcHAQChpsAJufLIWFVjHF6RNk2bwehwQk1P1HzZi7gdsXCeVDF2GVUQiE3HHla-GLthmimM/w612-h640/20220521_133814~2.jpg" width="612" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">REFURBISHED VICTORIA BRIDGE IRONWORK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a lovely stroll into Braemar via the Tomintoul view point with its beautiful toposcope and we bumped into 'normal' people out for a walk. This was odd, as it brought back a brush with the real world after over a week in our little half-worlds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWZFiOWLxePH_xulcr4OUUEWT_o1mTWfl953B0R3UzUzvqAzWHiwy4yTvbffYNf7mv8-qSwJOFtjZrLEEuMI5XraJy1bbZ1cQmJOkkJqu7_rdyPbqg9p3vGKSLpZiJlh2tdpDiwTIer0EDWfyxhOjrffJDSN5KtL9MrhWKjOOH673w7KRUsY/s3050/20220521_133905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3050" data-original-width="2739" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWZFiOWLxePH_xulcr4OUUEWT_o1mTWfl953B0R3UzUzvqAzWHiwy4yTvbffYNf7mv8-qSwJOFtjZrLEEuMI5XraJy1bbZ1cQmJOkkJqu7_rdyPbqg9p3vGKSLpZiJlh2tdpDiwTIer0EDWfyxhOjrffJDSN5KtL9MrhWKjOOH673w7KRUsY/w574-h640/20220521_133905.jpg" width="574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">STEELY EMMA WITH IRONWORK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFp99w_F0op2T2nqBzmiavXv8Y1OCkvmy47Da2VvJizxm46VfXOdI3hMxpzOpUKXhAN30qFhsqoiifLZ6rI1FWQO1jALj2JUmWzl-xCeketGQfGEa1HLtlczvsiRwD7dzScjtL6mj-Co4UwWhYl6LcT2QdafULZ_tuOpymCvmtVhVpqaPaAo/s4032/20220521_133910.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFp99w_F0op2T2nqBzmiavXv8Y1OCkvmy47Da2VvJizxm46VfXOdI3hMxpzOpUKXhAN30qFhsqoiifLZ6rI1FWQO1jALj2JUmWzl-xCeketGQfGEa1HLtlczvsiRwD7dzScjtL6mj-Co4UwWhYl6LcT2QdafULZ_tuOpymCvmtVhVpqaPaAo/w480-h640/20220521_133910.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"IT WASN'T ME, MISS!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEojNcStdMfqpQPtg1ekFsGi5gnV6YbTKNcmR-lipIbvmI4s4C4AC4oJGh58t2hhnk7dAsnn9mSZ1hDjVxweSbLT9DjNqmCrXjsYeFlyXcyhTifpntXsOXkShqbCIR8Hvc1-JmYF2raFxVjPgMzMv5gnZp24lMFAdA6SoklhHZzf73oNAra8/s4749/dsc03999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="4749" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEojNcStdMfqpQPtg1ekFsGi5gnV6YbTKNcmR-lipIbvmI4s4C4AC4oJGh58t2hhnk7dAsnn9mSZ1hDjVxweSbLT9DjNqmCrXjsYeFlyXcyhTifpntXsOXkShqbCIR8Hvc1-JmYF2raFxVjPgMzMv5gnZp24lMFAdA6SoklhHZzf73oNAra8/w640-h360/dsc03999.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">EMMA'S PICTURE: LOUISE, BARRY AND ME</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBC8DKSv_sV7CTEXkQLiFvei3yAB2uvK13x7nEjTHQjQXTun3ZqeLa7lPNZl5SHfUP1ag8wFAj593yr8Z7crgSo6Hbhf9oOb4gxM5J6vflf4pwep8vHcDM3lGgfqlXQpikacDAp7PWJWql2glTHN0dN_kiZhrb0kMX998gAou0pXLGdu1mVM/s3201/dsc04001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="3201" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBC8DKSv_sV7CTEXkQLiFvei3yAB2uvK13x7nEjTHQjQXTun3ZqeLa7lPNZl5SHfUP1ag8wFAj593yr8Z7crgSo6Hbhf9oOb4gxM5J6vflf4pwep8vHcDM3lGgfqlXQpikacDAp7PWJWql2glTHN0dN_kiZhrb0kMX998gAou0pXLGdu1mVM/w640-h360/dsc04001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BARRY, LOUISE AND A CHAP WITH AN INCREDIBLY LONG RIGHT ARM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYTuUX6kgf7nm0xrCzmgPkfnv_EZlw2KrVKJOM3N06RwmvunKbv8us2ptKYO6C6oDjIh6Ls_u8cItMhhKnkr4zORuN3C8F8p5ZHTfCAci1RZQBw8akduzfO1feA7LhG5krk_8M9uVraw9mOc1RiyldvoMygZ9QTRJ6bgZ2FBajDyMgJuXx58/s4032/20220521_142330.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYTuUX6kgf7nm0xrCzmgPkfnv_EZlw2KrVKJOM3N06RwmvunKbv8us2ptKYO6C6oDjIh6Ls_u8cItMhhKnkr4zORuN3C8F8p5ZHTfCAci1RZQBw8akduzfO1feA7LhG5krk_8M9uVraw9mOc1RiyldvoMygZ9QTRJ6bgZ2FBajDyMgJuXx58/w640-h480/20220521_142330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ENROUTE TO TOMINTOUL VIEWPOINT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2DHE-yzDuCoi9mRYkLv_KM7iqzL6KAVEbCgPgwiTRq2zLMm1OB-HluKw-2xN_R-a6kqBmVCL-8MvECwAyiYnz4d0DFdWV7im4echflBaLbygt69oHjZSQu4XnwqkpOv9oWsy-EuFkdgJsRCbsjWqBIUbbUZatLvSoTRjmKeup5vhZ0bK3u0/s4032/20220521_145419~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2DHE-yzDuCoi9mRYkLv_KM7iqzL6KAVEbCgPgwiTRq2zLMm1OB-HluKw-2xN_R-a6kqBmVCL-8MvECwAyiYnz4d0DFdWV7im4echflBaLbygt69oHjZSQu4XnwqkpOv9oWsy-EuFkdgJsRCbsjWqBIUbbUZatLvSoTRjmKeup5vhZ0bK3u0/w640-h480/20220521_145419~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">VIEW TO THE CAIRNGORMS FROM TOMINTOUL VIEWPOINT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG8kV1SvxjDmV2N_v5QqrsOSG16rZwISRLqnP-xUX_P7ShIBZePdLwZvyMHB2PRMZ0ZsBTPcklV9Y0qNjXYT_Ca9lqXXnYP10x8f58HsEgt7WB_2ZZvn5ewO4ojLcW2jr8xZ5kaSwM_AyhDD4KEQNetzWvVeDUMlktWLOn-mkXFeWLwTx0xw/s4032/20220521_145941~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG8kV1SvxjDmV2N_v5QqrsOSG16rZwISRLqnP-xUX_P7ShIBZePdLwZvyMHB2PRMZ0ZsBTPcklV9Y0qNjXYT_Ca9lqXXnYP10x8f58HsEgt7WB_2ZZvn5ewO4ojLcW2jr8xZ5kaSwM_AyhDD4KEQNetzWvVeDUMlktWLOn-mkXFeWLwTx0xw/w640-h480/20220521_145941~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A GOOD VIEW OBSCURED BY THREE CHALLENGERS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's a wonderful downhill walk to the village of Braemar, and it took no arm-twisting whatsoever to find ourselves in the bar of the Fife Arms. Because of Covid, it was waitress service so we bagged a large table, much to the alarm of the rather well-heeled guests already working their way through their afternoon or champagne teas. Rucksacks were piled against waiters' furniture and then moved after a polite request from the staff. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As we waited for our order of beers and ciders to arrive I noticed furtive sniffing of armpits at our table. Everything was fine and to their credit the waitresses were charming and efficient. However, Louise fretted, knowing that her clothes washing was a priority. Sadly we left our little pool of luxury and headed off to our various overnight stays.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Some months earlier I had bagged a table at a favourite restaurant and a few weeks ago I'd invited the lovely Emma to share it. After a furious session of showers and suds I made it on time to escort her to dinner in fresh clean clothes and a big smile. Then it was a trip to the pub for a few snifters. Okay, she's not Phil, but she made a good fist of it. The time flew by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These last two days were wonderful, finally making up for the ghastly start to my Challenge.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunHZeAWRIsh-JwXYAjBZyxqvXIj5SZ72d1noo1Oiyr6MvP3tZiwtx4Jye896l5Gd6ucLZeVVgf3k5wHuGSFNIuE60wStFdz6wKJ6qqcRK8H_5kokQLu1IbInTngildNCK82QOTIM4uXdf8NR4Oy9V8TqyWjrfmHw2BLCuz3w7QBOLO3e6dwo/s1794/Screenshot_20220522-063607_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunHZeAWRIsh-JwXYAjBZyxqvXIj5SZ72d1noo1Oiyr6MvP3tZiwtx4Jye896l5Gd6ucLZeVVgf3k5wHuGSFNIuE60wStFdz6wKJ6qqcRK8H_5kokQLu1IbInTngildNCK82QOTIM4uXdf8NR4Oy9V8TqyWjrfmHw2BLCuz3w7QBOLO3e6dwo/w241-h400/Screenshot_20220522-063607_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ih0zewtzwUW1sI_agl3D4vygVgLD5Epe9_BzQasQNc6PgZdwBtQzI7zLQEJD8SNTvShhV9kzOqpXe-sMBuuK194F1EfwTAeoV_TnxFLQ5qVMiKuhYmCiRmxlWSk3sU1aH8wIZJ9c1jnw_ug9RjqQrgrU_dnobZbjLC8HNtevdMh1oT2HZLo/s2022/Screenshot_20220522-063547_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ih0zewtzwUW1sI_agl3D4vygVgLD5Epe9_BzQasQNc6PgZdwBtQzI7zLQEJD8SNTvShhV9kzOqpXe-sMBuuK194F1EfwTAeoV_TnxFLQ5qVMiKuhYmCiRmxlWSk3sU1aH8wIZJ9c1jnw_ug9RjqQrgrU_dnobZbjLC8HNtevdMh1oT2HZLo/w214-h400/Screenshot_20220522-063547_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="474" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7YQgL-AhzR4" width="389" youtube-src-id="7YQgL-AhzR4"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">AN AMAZINGLY TIDY B&B AT BRAEMAR</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="358" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e5PlBUTVoy4" width="626" youtube-src-id="e5PlBUTVoy4"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">WORTH A LISTEN</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-78402997459138988112022-09-04T23:36:00.014+01:002024-01-16T18:23:22.412+00:00TGOC '22, Days 6 & 7: Bridge of Gaur to Blair Atholl<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">DAY SIX, WEDNESDAY: BRIDGE OF GAUR TO TOMANBUIDHE</span></u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">After returning home and reading other Challengers' accounts of their walks, it seems I picked a good night to be indoors, pampered, and generally spoiled rotten. There was quite a storm on Tuesday night of which I was blissfully unaware tucked up in fresh cotton sheets lying in a wonderfully comfortable bed. I do recall a bit of thrashing on the Velux roof light in the bathroom but gave it no heed at the time as I slipped into beautiful oblivion.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There was a big ragged sky as I set off at Bed and Breakfast hours, with heavy showers all about me, slipping past and kindly missing this lonely wanderer as I trundled along the north shore of Loch Rannoch. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is generally the unfavoured shore for TGO Challengers as it a 'B' road rather than the seemingly more attractive option of the little yellow minor road along the southern shore. I'd walked both on previous Challenges and definitely come down in favour of the option I'm walking today. This road is very quietly trafficked and has the advantage of a lot more visual interest, as you pass by more houses and you're constantly in eyeshot of Schiehallion, a wonderfully cone shaped hill from this direction.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSfYYPs7Pm6czvl3QTpX8PzUKTbl_I51OM9qLwIHAZ0o1bVFynIUbCVcx6eeZpoIRx5T7nryoOa-IEc6l8S8rTMv5xvJlRE5TuJ2S6ZKsf-mPNRAg036Ke1ChilXFRh_Zc0ADLEWUxq2hQpFlHEKpyHR--5hqQJpoPGLUAXPSXjKhwLEfwiA/s3985/20220518_102448.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="3985" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSfYYPs7Pm6czvl3QTpX8PzUKTbl_I51OM9qLwIHAZ0o1bVFynIUbCVcx6eeZpoIRx5T7nryoOa-IEc6l8S8rTMv5xvJlRE5TuJ2S6ZKsf-mPNRAg036Ke1ChilXFRh_Zc0ADLEWUxq2hQpFlHEKpyHR--5hqQJpoPGLUAXPSXjKhwLEfwiA/w640-h454/20220518_102448.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">SHOWERS AND SCHIEHALLION ACROSS LOCH RANNOCH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today was to be road walking and so my plan was to take it steadily along Loch Rannoch, with gentle footfall and a few stops to air the tootsies and head for a late lunch / afternoon tea at the cafe at the far end of the loch at Kinloch Rannoch and then re-gird the loins to continue along the road for a late afternoon plod until I found somewhere that I fancied to camp stealthily with access to fresh water. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS86vZl2P3TQozQe84hm9PzwcCfMlByLfroXACVah89DMAMVgU3_4r921bn4zADTvYrueX5ks94oYB7mWbK0G3teq7dy5aPKhP3eFPKc24tGoYO8nFcwQfvJk1QKcGHKJE2Sak0OTVm5fFdjhkHYpG6nm-nXf7mTURt2VoNkNaYrYepq52kE/s1782/Screenshot%202022-07-02%20143220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1782" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS86vZl2P3TQozQe84hm9PzwcCfMlByLfroXACVah89DMAMVgU3_4r921bn4zADTvYrueX5ks94oYB7mWbK0G3teq7dy5aPKhP3eFPKc24tGoYO8nFcwQfvJk1QKcGHKJE2Sak0OTVm5fFdjhkHYpG6nm-nXf7mTURt2VoNkNaYrYepq52kE/w640-h314/Screenshot%202022-07-02%20143220.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 27 km<div>Ascent: 350 m<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The last time I'd been along here was with Andy Walker - Mad'n'Bad - and we had quite a long day and were massively grateful to <a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2012/06/tgo-challenge-2012-day-7-b-of-gaur-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">camp in Bohally Wood</span></a> along with a colossus of the Challenge, Roger Boston. If you click on that link you'll see that I was singularly unimpressed with the events of that day. Today I was set on a more sensible mileage that I could accommodate with more aplomb.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHjxzj1I52XWn0L5ywdYpp6gVKe92vEkAUqgqhEF-osF7AsHvOc11zHQemECyZMZnDlwjnjmmW2Au9fM9V0b1l2HhNUchlgplllwXUVTMTmov4jeG8Z18DH8F_uftPb-dBzf3J9xPtiAApQR_MtXzEfvNZKYwCWaU2iRJJzuKk-hehiWhchU/s3322/20220518_095546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3322" data-original-width="2528" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHjxzj1I52XWn0L5ywdYpp6gVKe92vEkAUqgqhEF-osF7AsHvOc11zHQemECyZMZnDlwjnjmmW2Au9fM9V0b1l2HhNUchlgplllwXUVTMTmov4jeG8Z18DH8F_uftPb-dBzf3J9xPtiAApQR_MtXzEfvNZKYwCWaU2iRJJzuKk-hehiWhchU/w305-h400/20220518_095546.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't count them but along the north shore of the loch there were around a dozen designated 'wild camping' spots where you are invited to overnight in the spirit of wild camping and leaving no trace. I recall walking along here many years ago when these spots were full of fisherman who were obviously here for a good while and all about was a mess of discarded beer bottles, barbeques, and all manner of rubbish. Today there was just the one spot being used by a young couple in a small tent who were on their way to the 'far north' having started their journey in Brentwood, Essex. Their spot was in perfect order. </div><div><br /></div>Full marks to whichever authority that championed this initiative.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgtnDEwaZh8G5NsCRJ-S35zOwCar9EW6B0fmk0uJRQwaumlXNV5LbMbWQhJrWYjdpqK_qrSJQtaCdakMiLXImset7yr8ODFiyUbsU7yVDA6GIjIsLLYUJuvh8lx9aLy7XprVb5BZTQDqTpMr-PR5r908b18t-8IuhdUWQ1gLDE5rYrruDkB4/s4032/20220518_103908.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgtnDEwaZh8G5NsCRJ-S35zOwCar9EW6B0fmk0uJRQwaumlXNV5LbMbWQhJrWYjdpqK_qrSJQtaCdakMiLXImset7yr8ODFiyUbsU7yVDA6GIjIsLLYUJuvh8lx9aLy7XprVb5BZTQDqTpMr-PR5r908b18t-8IuhdUWQ1gLDE5rYrruDkB4/w300-h400/20220518_103908.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">ROADSIDE MIRROR PICTURE SELFIE</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsI1Q7hQm-uMAX6u2bwgQwy-8TAdSfhOjuFftDWQtSI7Y2Mamvnrfjob0fFkvi2Ex5V3JUUC4dqKoUYnoRLQ20sRP38Sq-a2-Aidl7HILo6gsgWLVd_izbeI3r5WqZGBa5n8tfBnXx563XavjjzVY148mVWzF6ndFseDzLEmyJCW-A0EJc5A/s3930/20220518_105013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3930" data-original-width="2838" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsI1Q7hQm-uMAX6u2bwgQwy-8TAdSfhOjuFftDWQtSI7Y2Mamvnrfjob0fFkvi2Ex5V3JUUC4dqKoUYnoRLQ20sRP38Sq-a2-Aidl7HILo6gsgWLVd_izbeI3r5WqZGBa5n8tfBnXx563XavjjzVY148mVWzF6ndFseDzLEmyJCW-A0EJc5A/w462-h640/20220518_105013.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1948: I DO HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR THESE LITTLE BEAUTIES</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyGv9OBIlQUS4ENDefaUkDYf6zSIg3wYA42T-LLc8xE65ffMXDp1wF0jQ5U9wYucTa6_q-fZfw_SAV_iKEoLrXwa6Pi6p4QQ5IhCIYPVHisqF3T0S4PyQk5k0eR8mor_w738oxAWydJkaWt95dMyOJqcsdzIeF-EwvePCG0YP7RUg4wivi50/s4032/20220518_111639.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="4032" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyGv9OBIlQUS4ENDefaUkDYf6zSIg3wYA42T-LLc8xE65ffMXDp1wF0jQ5U9wYucTa6_q-fZfw_SAV_iKEoLrXwa6Pi6p4QQ5IhCIYPVHisqF3T0S4PyQk5k0eR8mor_w738oxAWydJkaWt95dMyOJqcsdzIeF-EwvePCG0YP7RUg4wivi50/w640-h364/20220518_111639.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TALLADH-A-BHEITHE LODGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've posted this picture of a rather smart Lodge that sits on the north shore of Loch Rannoch, with the single purpose of shaming the money grubbing bastards who own it. Around ten years ago this Dutch couple put in a planning application for a large wind farm, the <a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2014/07/talladh-bheithe-power-station.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Talladh-a-Bheithe Power Station</span></a> in the most extraordinarily inappropriate place. The locals were up in arms! I wrote about their application, which you can find by clicking on the red link. I don't know if they still show their faces amongst the local community but they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Happily, even the SNP-led Scottish Government didn't have the brass neck to push this one through.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>IMPORTANT EDIT: </u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many thanks to an anonymous comment in the comment section below this piece: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-size: 13px;">if I may clarify a point regarding the owners of Talladh bheith lodge, they were never involved in the wind farm application as the lodge was sold off from the estate some 25+ years previous, it is owned by a German family who seldom visit unlike the Dutch estate owner who is still a regular !!"</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, the owners of the lodge have nothing to do with the dreadful Talladh a Bheithe wind farm application!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="528" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o_sVuusgAL8" width="636" youtube-src-id="o_sVuusgAL8"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">PLAY ME</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It really is a rather pleasant stroll along this road, so take two minutes to join me on an entirely uneventful stroll along the loch side. You see the wind in the trees, a few glimpses of the loch and the backing track is made from the wind and some birdsong. It does it for me.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkLkQRIcrUM_eO7toyswZZ_hFlW-NcRXmohw9UQlZ7rLXNrI_XxX8MFLL1dWf6l0S3DDCvCy74GKeUPU31shDK6DV3jP77Q4MuApVPPDhVETG-26NL-ZKEmXS4NnXM7nwS4qEmMBImIXSa80r3vGZzwcuuQQkJ4uwrJy0fdSjAtJ7cSAJhCE/s4032/20220518_140952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkLkQRIcrUM_eO7toyswZZ_hFlW-NcRXmohw9UQlZ7rLXNrI_XxX8MFLL1dWf6l0S3DDCvCy74GKeUPU31shDK6DV3jP77Q4MuApVPPDhVETG-26NL-ZKEmXS4NnXM7nwS4qEmMBImIXSa80r3vGZzwcuuQQkJ4uwrJy0fdSjAtJ7cSAJhCE/w640-h480/20220518_140952.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">SLOW DOWN, AL, CIVILISATION AHEAD!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was the sole occupant of the cafe at Kinloch Rannoch and I have to say I did not enjoy the place. I had coffee and cake in a funereal atmosphere, served by an apprentice undertaker. The sugar shakers were solid; no sugar had been shaken from these beauties for quite some while. There were amateurish daubings hung about the walls with fantastical price tags. Even though a pleasant day outside, the windows were tightly shut against it and the atmosphere was definitely on the frosty side of unwelcoming. I wish them well but there needs to be some changes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Continuing down the road, things brightened considerably. It was still warm and the wind had died down so the afternoon was now officially 'quite pleasant'. Approaching Home Farm, almost at the top of the hill, a very smart four by four slowed down and a guy leaned from the driver's window and asked if I wanted a lift. We chatted in the middle of the road for a good half an hour, moving to one side when a coach full of well-heeled pensioners squeezed past on their way to the hotel in Kinloch Rannoch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He had had a pretty interesting life. Originally from the south coast he had spent his childhood in Australia and then ten years or so on cruise ships until, by an intriguing route, he had been tempted to the Highlands to set up a business looking after holiday homes in the area. Having passed a fair number on the walk this year I suggested that he should be quite busy. He loved his life in Tummel Bridge and was raising a family in beautiful countryside. Here there was no overcrowding, no knife crime and the air was fresh and clean. This man had finally found his own version of paradise; and good luck to him as he was a thoroughly decent sort.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No sooner had I left him to continue in the warm late afternoon, than on the descent from the hill I met an elderly cyclist coming from the other direction, pushing his rather fine steed. He was catching up with the group that I'd met at the Bridge of Gaur Guesthouse, after having time out to be checked out for a suspected heart attack. He was fine and now intended to have a bloody good time with his friends on their journey northwards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-gdkFd5Jd3OEm3jJFTbN41xZEkJCQucmuvA_4VjVgFxBPzNBAdW_A-4wPCSzi3QHsn9Jk9rZib_7T9qtGgcTmh3eZ-vRhsHt3gQsNAEBpES6GQugLfhWbp0kV4ijUcjVpamPWUocCWltE64Rk5DgrkrShGd4oJBpSdKGiUCOOE5dldwRyUE/s2249/Screenshot_20220518-183111_Memory-Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="2249" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-gdkFd5Jd3OEm3jJFTbN41xZEkJCQucmuvA_4VjVgFxBPzNBAdW_A-4wPCSzi3QHsn9Jk9rZib_7T9qtGgcTmh3eZ-vRhsHt3gQsNAEBpES6GQugLfhWbp0kV4ijUcjVpamPWUocCWltE64Rk5DgrkrShGd4oJBpSdKGiUCOOE5dldwRyUE/w640-h304/Screenshot_20220518-183111_Memory-Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I recommend my camp spot in the red circle on the above map as it is quiet, well out of the way of passing traffic and close to a good source of water just a little further along the track at the 'F' of 'Ford'. It's an old logging platform or turn-out so a little stoney underfoot and you need to be careful to avoid one or two little boggy spots. The pegs don't go in very far, but you're well protected from the wind by the surrounding trees. I had an excellent night here, with owls and drumming snipe.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEHQky3jti5myxeD9vN2xumKQvCBk06u9ZnO8zNxGjsnWbGgYXVhul6y7Dt4WLoOVpfjL9_YrnMIVMIm9AZ2m1eMmqjYuPbILVEjFSmG241X69UW2iMMHFwzj1nk6cOQA_7-W-78vuAGK1xDyVTnj2uG1i-d9IoEHOtd1hr1TNRPgg4LSfus/s4008/20220518_183601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2647" data-original-width="4008" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEHQky3jti5myxeD9vN2xumKQvCBk06u9ZnO8zNxGjsnWbGgYXVhul6y7Dt4WLoOVpfjL9_YrnMIVMIm9AZ2m1eMmqjYuPbILVEjFSmG241X69UW2iMMHFwzj1nk6cOQA_7-W-78vuAGK1xDyVTnj2uG1i-d9IoEHOtd1hr1TNRPgg4LSfus/w640-h422/20220518_183601.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It had been a fine day with seventeen miles under my belt in lovely weather. Things were definitely on the up, with two consecutive good days. I had still not met any Challengers but the chance encounters with others on the road was making up for it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here are the usual stats:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmXlK531RbMLCpf2aS2XGX7d56K9Dj-i7oIVwgSwE9oODMiImlOyDtZZNJLfTsQ7nDGShVKM449815BOBk4vppEgQ2eUIUAk1ufl9xyVlLP54_x9Vogxsv8Y9B49Q3eQvhNBLwm6To7LoSFSC8ku6FeuZt-pvnmRYyKhC6bxoOJPIeXk8UCk/s1867/Screenshot_20220518-185706_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1867" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmXlK531RbMLCpf2aS2XGX7d56K9Dj-i7oIVwgSwE9oODMiImlOyDtZZNJLfTsQ7nDGShVKM449815BOBk4vppEgQ2eUIUAk1ufl9xyVlLP54_x9Vogxsv8Y9B49Q3eQvhNBLwm6To7LoSFSC8ku6FeuZt-pvnmRYyKhC6bxoOJPIeXk8UCk/w231-h400/Screenshot_20220518-185706_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCrVrdNgVsu79to7lHDqYwAbCMJff99stD_hie6pruWPiQytPTFLY5GRVEmdYyTMalHAJk2uqfUkbKVduMb4C19898wFQaXwNS42Dbz7hCbPiPT-j2CrqJIUeh9J6aeVfQ86AC4JW_kh_UryYOrmwwqFrAWOHllGAEoz1vc3gUa90i47KV7I/s1638/Screenshot_20220518-185740_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCrVrdNgVsu79to7lHDqYwAbCMJff99stD_hie6pruWPiQytPTFLY5GRVEmdYyTMalHAJk2uqfUkbKVduMb4C19898wFQaXwNS42Dbz7hCbPiPT-j2CrqJIUeh9J6aeVfQ86AC4JW_kh_UryYOrmwwqFrAWOHllGAEoz1vc3gUa90i47KV7I/w264-h400/Screenshot_20220518-185740_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">DAY SEVEN: THURSDAY: TOMANBUIDHE TO BLAIR ATHOLL</span></u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I must have needed a good sleep as I wasn't away until around nine this morning. I still wasn't eating properly as I couldn't be faffed with cooking a meal last night, digging in to my lunch / snack food instead. I took on lots of fresh filtered water and set off down the track back to the road that would take me eastwards once more.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today should be an easy day as I've been this way quite a few times in the past, often from Kinloch Rannoch, some 6 miles behind me. It was around thirteen miles to Blair and so I had a leisurely stroll ahead. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6typ4ikVcEPkLe6V8Wq8NlHyxrLkYKAUAABEo-gLsVewXNicMabDh5DmUyAqYTPs2TFobtrWuwwY93_MI39VOS_mZovCSgLkSnD1pWrgmyUl02zsRqEFEMwiIZ0bQEbpdiXwIddUGG4nURPzfkd-0Gav7coVIjnmtgjNBBBFye62qmME1dk/s1393/Screenshot%202022-07-02%20143422.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1393" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6typ4ikVcEPkLe6V8Wq8NlHyxrLkYKAUAABEo-gLsVewXNicMabDh5DmUyAqYTPs2TFobtrWuwwY93_MI39VOS_mZovCSgLkSnD1pWrgmyUl02zsRqEFEMwiIZ0bQEbpdiXwIddUGG4nURPzfkd-0Gav7coVIjnmtgjNBBBFye62qmME1dk/w640-h404/Screenshot%202022-07-02%20143422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE TO FULL SCREEN IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance 21 km</div><div>Ascent 410 m</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">All the temporary works from the construction of the Beauly Denny pylon line seem to have settled down now, leaving just the line itself, but a completely trashed landscape full of enormous wind turbines in its wake, with more and more turbines in the pipeline to ruin yet more wild land. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can blame all the engineering-illiterate morons for this, with their fixation with the impossible 'net Zero,' and the appallingly ignorant and weak politicians who haven't got a fucking clue about energy generation, distribution and the subsequent cost implications. Europe is now in the clutches of a cunning madman in Russia who has been pulling the strings of all the green zealots across the Western World for fifteen years or so.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You want green energy? Well now you can bloody well pay for it, through the nose. With the destruction of Britain's coal fired and Germany's nuclear generation, Putin has you by the bollocks, and trust me he is not going to tickle them. The only way energy prices will ever get back to what everyone refers to as 'normal' is by toppling Putin's corrupt regime. For 'normal' you can substitute "before all these tossers decided that renewable, spasmodic energy was the way to go and blew up our coal fired plant, refused to invest in nuclear (and so losing all our class leading nuclear engineers) and destroyed our gas storage infrastructure."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Society needs affordable dispatchable power supplies to survive. God help the poor. God help our soon to be completely trashed economy, our spending on health, infrastructure and education. Every single piece of this is self inflicted and all egged along by the NGOs such as Greenpeace, WWF, Friends of the Earth and all the other bleeding hearts along with Greens, the Liberals, Labour and the Conservatives because none of the bastards understand that energy is the prime building block upon which society is based.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We don't need Boris, Liz Truss or any of the leaders of the present shambles. We need a party leader who understands engineering. Full stop.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">And calm...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And now some pretty pictures of the morning's walk:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR-wNiLWiEA_EuGZUS98YcdIWW9GsTIuaA72LkmPVibEaO2vecz9hvJzxfvEirHAYe3FEp3xubadi3jP6qABEhJelKfNH7zbIVYKaRV441cjnxasB-VZIJlOtXywHkiZkmBhZFnKaZA_wz8nOpU0ifFSiVFr-i6dA4UEKVjG0eYZIZBTnIYY/s3890/20220519_083637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="3890" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR-wNiLWiEA_EuGZUS98YcdIWW9GsTIuaA72LkmPVibEaO2vecz9hvJzxfvEirHAYe3FEp3xubadi3jP6qABEhJelKfNH7zbIVYKaRV441cjnxasB-VZIJlOtXywHkiZkmBhZFnKaZA_wz8nOpU0ifFSiVFr-i6dA4UEKVjG0eYZIZBTnIYY/w640-h358/20220519_083637.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SCHIEHALLION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUGt7YDm-1okXrTQm_0fxkz0zHiKhn_qpuRBe2Qq4SX8-3oW7miFlCjd6W5KtX8cZwcaNuBlPDwjo_oAiWfjO5jH3NZctzIYinxfqVXYUCDl5Qux-v1whVMEW4hCIrlCfWz3HxapAOaNIkiBYfbPI6WiuS-FEl9j8IT92JCuFl2xFbJmHfxI/s3934/20220519_094430.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2390" data-original-width="3934" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUGt7YDm-1okXrTQm_0fxkz0zHiKhn_qpuRBe2Qq4SX8-3oW7miFlCjd6W5KtX8cZwcaNuBlPDwjo_oAiWfjO5jH3NZctzIYinxfqVXYUCDl5Qux-v1whVMEW4hCIrlCfWz3HxapAOaNIkiBYfbPI6WiuS-FEl9j8IT92JCuFl2xFbJmHfxI/w640-h388/20220519_094430.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TIMBER EXTRACTION - GOING TO DRAX POWER STATION TO MASSIVELY INCREASE OUR CO2 EMISSIONS?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfKPM78DXttSezXtS1uOuTlIovvBJYT6EFBLPXSSJxjDQRHQdQVRlA1RU7mBQqIgCiWAiguVIvOUhZdGiuGX9-Z_BGpzjRawVHUUCD_HYSy0k3HgoM8_ZnMQQHpa9UDY43ZXshr1ZfACDmdyYoI-4EK61YpDQ2ZFZonCteIiGS_e4suHAg2w/s3648/20220519_094732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfKPM78DXttSezXtS1uOuTlIovvBJYT6EFBLPXSSJxjDQRHQdQVRlA1RU7mBQqIgCiWAiguVIvOUhZdGiuGX9-Z_BGpzjRawVHUUCD_HYSy0k3HgoM8_ZnMQQHpa9UDY43ZXshr1ZfACDmdyYoI-4EK61YpDQ2ZFZonCteIiGS_e4suHAg2w/w480-h640/20220519_094732.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FINALLY, A SMILEY CHAP HAVING A GOOD DAY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">My first break was at the transmitter: See the map you've clicked on to make it bigly-huge in the new tab. I like stopping at transmitters because there's always a locked substantial gate that you can lean your pack against and a guaranteed mobile signal. I rang Challenge Control who were just arriving at the Park Hotel after leaving Newtonmore to let them know of my rude health and location. Sue seemed to be in fine form but the numbers of Challengers who hadn't made it to their start points and the numbers who had dropped out in the first few days were unprecedented and a shock to me.</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8dtIZkQ6yKEUYRFP7Itxdx_-6Mln_tgRDE73KJKXfZYMtEZjQG2wmX4SbDv8_nAWwzwLosReugO8jI6LTZW2oLjkdJ5OEyi0BdsMZbJrDn-18yTfEAcNHx9uYV1CgpUk3PGYbgBM7h3wgqOR6e8eYyLvWhfUGGUuUSDlsKqXfPxMlngXgs4/s4032/20220519_095232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2473" data-original-width="4032" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8dtIZkQ6yKEUYRFP7Itxdx_-6Mln_tgRDE73KJKXfZYMtEZjQG2wmX4SbDv8_nAWwzwLosReugO8jI6LTZW2oLjkdJ5OEyi0BdsMZbJrDn-18yTfEAcNHx9uYV1CgpUk3PGYbgBM7h3wgqOR6e8eYyLvWhfUGGUuUSDlsKqXfPxMlngXgs4/w640-h392/20220519_095232.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE VIEW SOUTH FROM THE TRANSMITTER WITH THE SEEMINGLY INNOCUOUS BEAULY-DENNY POWER LINE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUDlLgwKQ3Jzav_QjIUu-6Wfr70-Sjk-5TSnSZrwiuKARijXnKoAwuVq8sGevQsUC43wXZa4wXzwyS7REu4ME31WD_uOM9EIAxetm4-kSCU5EM0fXQJPd5v0fhyDRtir5hS7GgdHgY2q6c1xixMIsuK13x7KXuf1FDdaenlAo-5iZ-SoB8PI/s3849/20220519_100335.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="3849" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUDlLgwKQ3Jzav_QjIUu-6Wfr70-Sjk-5TSnSZrwiuKARijXnKoAwuVq8sGevQsUC43wXZa4wXzwyS7REu4ME31WD_uOM9EIAxetm4-kSCU5EM0fXQJPd5v0fhyDRtir5hS7GgdHgY2q6c1xixMIsuK13x7KXuf1FDdaenlAo-5iZ-SoB8PI/w640-h440/20220519_100335.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE VIEW BACK WESTWARDS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After quite an enjoyable stroll through the forest my long lunch break was at the bench at Loch Bhac. This is an idyllic spot and very popular with local fishermen - a local angling club issue the permits, which aren't cheap - for two boats which are powered by silent electric motors. As I was tucking in to my salmon wraps both boats decided it was time for their lunch. One of the couples sat with me and I spent a lovely hour or so chatting with them. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One was an elderly gentleman, the other a fellow about my age who had bought the day's fishing for his companion as a birthday present. If you've ever watched Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer's "Gone Fishing" our hour together ran along very similar lines. Fishing was the vehicle for a conversation ranging far and wide, generally putting the world to rights in a kind and thoughtful manner. Both had had health issues in their past and both were very grateful to wake each morning and they would try to make each day more enjoyable and satisfying than the day before. These men were absolutely adorable.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvum6Ct-iJuuQwlb15sYDVTloVMLHzuOvs18rgKjwc_DH9NGL5QeBcbcIWqWeNexsze6ZqAQeU1xWYPDP0CZ0-xMYXpZIr0diIVGN_xUzTBREMB-XYqNKdBj5Y6UltAs8NqfOZZEBsYgmGOtY74IYcu9xM4xg40LfNxTvFIEQdEkUdcR_Lr4s/s4032/20220519_133721.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvum6Ct-iJuuQwlb15sYDVTloVMLHzuOvs18rgKjwc_DH9NGL5QeBcbcIWqWeNexsze6ZqAQeU1xWYPDP0CZ0-xMYXpZIr0diIVGN_xUzTBREMB-XYqNKdBj5Y6UltAs8NqfOZZEBsYgmGOtY74IYcu9xM4xg40LfNxTvFIEQdEkUdcR_Lr4s/w640-h480/20220519_133721.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOCH BHAC</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As we said our goodbyes they boarded their little boat and I hoisted my pack. I felt lucky to have met them both.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGLMZqS3ffsYnlJWvJMpM_VUOmprB5J1FO_B4ttZOUbiJCqhLUChfq6dRpMs47196cstpthiF0_y-8W317Bzu0B-sD0pFncQS--kq1kd7zMOIpBIUl_yxhpPZXa1siSzcMnGrllbSNjwpe-jmVcmq2u9q6xHKcYn95taSaUIdj2NcwYzd-wY/s3926/20220519_134732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="3926" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGLMZqS3ffsYnlJWvJMpM_VUOmprB5J1FO_B4ttZOUbiJCqhLUChfq6dRpMs47196cstpthiF0_y-8W317Bzu0B-sD0pFncQS--kq1kd7zMOIpBIUl_yxhpPZXa1siSzcMnGrllbSNjwpe-jmVcmq2u9q6xHKcYn95taSaUIdj2NcwYzd-wY/w400-h281/20220519_134732.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE TWO FRIENDS IN THEIR LITTLE BOAT ON LOCH BHAC</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The single track path down across the moor from Loch Bhac to Balnansteuartach is four kilometres of bliss. I'll let the pictures describe my heavenly descent:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nQVuW78sGIKHLyW_ETAqI4detMuEcSQN66InV3Zf8MknuW0Y42WUN3prr0pQcGd12s_oqgJruO9MkXJRmQOna2iEcxege72lghPJX7fy2r_50175ifZsEQPSryboXEF9u4qH4Tz_BBO7iU0lHbHrbja5-P-pgQq5EtR1UkkVRB3sgW28C-E/s4032/20220519_135829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2716" data-original-width="4032" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nQVuW78sGIKHLyW_ETAqI4detMuEcSQN66InV3Zf8MknuW0Y42WUN3prr0pQcGd12s_oqgJruO9MkXJRmQOna2iEcxege72lghPJX7fy2r_50175ifZsEQPSryboXEF9u4qH4Tz_BBO7iU0lHbHrbja5-P-pgQq5EtR1UkkVRB3sgW28C-E/w640-h432/20220519_135829.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GLEN TILT LEFT OF CENTRE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PZJJEYXdaLzDus1XUJW3BJogQKahW5qW-U0DytFy5NzOiCvnWYQZCDE11rcCflpCUq9aA6hTzz4JNddekvIybQcwBVuETgGJt1mH_tJrlUhuPdQTDWnagfFumEbDQ_f-Wt5ZadF8j0SOSIR7Mf6E3DRijz-qyLGh99yXytMbw4Cs6HLw368/s4032/20220519_142653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PZJJEYXdaLzDus1XUJW3BJogQKahW5qW-U0DytFy5NzOiCvnWYQZCDE11rcCflpCUq9aA6hTzz4JNddekvIybQcwBVuETgGJt1mH_tJrlUhuPdQTDWnagfFumEbDQ_f-Wt5ZadF8j0SOSIR7Mf6E3DRijz-qyLGh99yXytMbw4Cs6HLw368/w640-h480/20220519_142653.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BLAIR CASTLE COMING INTO VIEW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaWUFRkV5dsDUHSztQebkT0JkE2DgEKlJ1TGoE16g4p9tlGaJ9jM_BEtDxcuveTS3ia4OdMohWt0Q4p9gPHpO0W2KHZgeBZNG8BZDhrJ-U5613nmc8kNyoWnlbIH6ZhJEgRYFhW9d4R6NXodd2dB7mflf-fy5PZBvdOGYziZjI81CUF5R6OM/s4032/20220519_153705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaWUFRkV5dsDUHSztQebkT0JkE2DgEKlJ1TGoE16g4p9tlGaJ9jM_BEtDxcuveTS3ia4OdMohWt0Q4p9gPHpO0W2KHZgeBZNG8BZDhrJ-U5613nmc8kNyoWnlbIH6ZhJEgRYFhW9d4R6NXodd2dB7mflf-fy5PZBvdOGYziZjI81CUF5R6OM/w640-h480/20220519_153705.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BLAIR CASTLE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The descent finishes at the farmstead of Balnansteuartach but then you have a grassy trod that runs parallel to the A9 below you that lasts about a mile too long before you finally drop down to cross the road and dive down the bank to the footbridge that carries you across the River Garry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwkSL1695HBJPLnm87xP7nZLqvMJd_nFOIyQPcNG8FsgX9SuY2JTXhGHK7uqWatyU7azbfSUM6Tpyyr_KGKHn0PjrJ9WUpnmeff2igfvINUJJrBZyj5IXpaTyt2kq7DbIJ8QeplPvsRb2aROgokbts344hBZhbvaxQSotL7zpwyXRj4B1RSs/s4032/20220519_155452.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwkSL1695HBJPLnm87xP7nZLqvMJd_nFOIyQPcNG8FsgX9SuY2JTXhGHK7uqWatyU7azbfSUM6Tpyyr_KGKHn0PjrJ9WUpnmeff2igfvINUJJrBZyj5IXpaTyt2kq7DbIJ8QeplPvsRb2aROgokbts344hBZhbvaxQSotL7zpwyXRj4B1RSs/w640-h480/20220519_155452.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FOOTBRIDGE TO BLAIR ACROSS THE RIVER GARRY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was early afternoon and so my first thought was for some rehydration and so I found the back bar of the Atholl Arms Hotel - usually a pretty safe place to bump into all manner of Challengers enjoying respite from the sunshine. Inside, out of the sun, it was deserted, with incessantly cheerful accordion music so beloved of Highland Hotels blasting through the place. Why do tourist watering holes think it's a good idea to cram as much bloody Scottishness down the throats and lugholes of every available tourist, who, having probably spent the best part of a week so far journeying around Scotland, is now fairly sick of the sound of this piped rubbish. They know they are in Scotland; they chose to holiday here. They don't need this.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a fairly traditional Scottish welcome, a lady with a Chinese accent invited me to sit at a particular table immediately beneath one of the blaring speakers. I chose another table as far from any of the speakers as possible. I asked the barman if it was possible to turn the volume down slightly as we were the only inhabitants of the bar. He very politely and very firmly refused.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hospitality - a lost art it appears in Bonnie Scotland. I drank up my beer and left, determined not to come back to this hell hole this evening.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRrYiVFWujDEhYZimBDqYnwpMa5aTHAYotFCc4dBmwhov5BsQh-p3T6RK2i3oHwg5IIBBUi43Vv99oR2tQSp6Uc91CfvoCAKMK98Gujd0YJENGhInkgPbgL8yLJmFoyKNftAhR-2k51jZ04_dQBrErj0Kmpu8L1j1XqS65NZOzKSC9JRPpMM/s4032/20220519_161613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRrYiVFWujDEhYZimBDqYnwpMa5aTHAYotFCc4dBmwhov5BsQh-p3T6RK2i3oHwg5IIBBUi43Vv99oR2tQSp6Uc91CfvoCAKMK98Gujd0YJENGhInkgPbgL8yLJmFoyKNftAhR-2k51jZ04_dQBrErj0Kmpu8L1j1XqS65NZOzKSC9JRPpMM/w400-h300/20220519_161613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had been planning to spend the night on the Blair Castle campsite but on my longer than expected stroll along the grassy trod above the A9 I had managed to book myself a room in what sounded (and indeed turned out to be) a very comfortable B&B. I fancied a long soak in a shower, a comfortable bed and a look at one of the pitchlock ends of my Notch to try to untangle the webbing straps. I also needed to wash my increasingly smelly clothes after two days of hot sweaty walking. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happily I achieved all this with time to spare to wander back into town for fish & chips and beer at the odd but very efficient "Food in the Park."</div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSE_yUuUzBxdIMOLUcw8aOdTxNqzRludZohVoCsY1pwPgI2ycpqvCsPYrESfAY59iViIQVUXJ3daqPtd6WiWW9NO33MLJ8rTA1o9TVmnDqpKdfeleJyYIz_1RGs-nadT6mscNMJ-efekshWTLU_9VhgncaSR42NqtRHY9HHI_giazBexvB8s/s4032/20220519_181728.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSE_yUuUzBxdIMOLUcw8aOdTxNqzRludZohVoCsY1pwPgI2ycpqvCsPYrESfAY59iViIQVUXJ3daqPtd6WiWW9NO33MLJ8rTA1o9TVmnDqpKdfeleJyYIz_1RGs-nadT6mscNMJ-efekshWTLU_9VhgncaSR42NqtRHY9HHI_giazBexvB8s/w400-h300/20220519_181728.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A GOOD ROOM, TRASHED</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPxI2wA5YvJW9DKLEwZEkhS9IAsOZ6hh0IkT8JcO40Vy1hVgifa9xYguzydVJHfnRWevKVBz97QsvttbBwGXBcuNaqWnfHuYSnhDY142qiiWzeEfKYK56MMF728J5_s7_f17jwDaJy7PJDhxg94irCMu3B92hYTlPfZXyr09K-SJxAe2NGug/s1664/Screenshot_20220519-232447_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPxI2wA5YvJW9DKLEwZEkhS9IAsOZ6hh0IkT8JcO40Vy1hVgifa9xYguzydVJHfnRWevKVBz97QsvttbBwGXBcuNaqWnfHuYSnhDY142qiiWzeEfKYK56MMF728J5_s7_f17jwDaJy7PJDhxg94irCMu3B92hYTlPfZXyr09K-SJxAe2NGug/w260-h400/Screenshot_20220519-232447_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRonTE93InvsKLRAWEzOft5V2oSBf4MIBBKFgCcbtnFmAvtJ14FVjikjI9tNICpT7Ym0ZjehtY2dM5ku9O-vnjH9xiuYPPh1ffWoA1XTksErN2I2BjJw_pTv4xwfPX8aeP8woAjcX8-yAx1rjN2jcSQ4-0DL9rNB1u6nNh567wsrLV3kcXCk/s1872/Screenshot_20220519-232458_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRonTE93InvsKLRAWEzOft5V2oSBf4MIBBKFgCcbtnFmAvtJ14FVjikjI9tNICpT7Ym0ZjehtY2dM5ku9O-vnjH9xiuYPPh1ffWoA1XTksErN2I2BjJw_pTv4xwfPX8aeP8woAjcX8-yAx1rjN2jcSQ4-0DL9rNB1u6nNh567wsrLV3kcXCk/w231-h400/Screenshot_20220519-232458_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back in my room I received a text from Mario - of Mario, Jayme and Peter - inviting me to join them for breakfast the next morning before heading up Glen Tilt. In my current shambolic state of zero fitness and low blood count I politely declined, suggesting that I would be setting off early and that they would definitely catch me up. It was incredibly heartening that I was finally going to be meeting up with three bloody lovely Challengers.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVnfCAdPSGG_mLY8cfYxxxyoSsjXY-kHcre67YapVIUQ6T-uufzVQzKqQWsl13ye39_jU6a-DrCxNjB7XJ0LJd_f5pl4mdmmMICpkmEDlD6C8HjvD0YBbz__K9lb65KHUgfht7k9uWBwksVf9NtZqe3YUuGU2vDDIvMOi-oY6mc6Ps29oORI/s3992/20220520_070203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2894" data-original-width="3992" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVnfCAdPSGG_mLY8cfYxxxyoSsjXY-kHcre67YapVIUQ6T-uufzVQzKqQWsl13ye39_jU6a-DrCxNjB7XJ0LJd_f5pl4mdmmMICpkmEDlD6C8HjvD0YBbz__K9lb65KHUgfht7k9uWBwksVf9NtZqe3YUuGU2vDDIvMOi-oY6mc6Ps29oORI/w640-h464/20220520_070203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MY B&B's LOVELY GARDEN - AND MY FOREARM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ndkU0AsUvkM" width="628" youtube-src-id="ndkU0AsUvkM"></iframe></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-79858307935068024642022-06-26T01:02:00.006+01:002022-06-26T19:01:30.619+01:00TGO Challenge 2022, Day 5: Corrour to Bridge of Gaur<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">When I decide, finally, that it's time to get out of bed and start to pack things away, I know I'm in for a wrestling match with my beautiful bag. It's a monster and it has to pack down into its little stuff sack.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Three rounds with Mick McManus later, I start the fourth with Jackie Pallo, sorting out my mattress. By now the tent seems cavernous with just an assortment of dry-bags, map cases, wallets, food bags and all manner of stuff that I don't recall ever having seen before.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Before long I'm dressed, booted and picking up the pack. It's a quarter past seven so probably a little early for breakfast at the Station House and I stroll away, mightily relieved that this place has in effect put me back together again. I had slept the sleep of the dead and now I felt pretty damn good. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlZgNuEdvuXEObTN3JriiK6fQTZQW4nuauoPLIBCHV84edRkvQtg_LmiAk713v2dqVX-M2ongtllBAQPzqIr5HRf0bpFOuQ5H0d9S3YPGP6BseklLnTcfm-y081WwMIA3SnrC_rgRQzU2ftuQum6TGogjPwp1ExivheORFVCFoQSkhUErEZ4/s3933/20220517_082319.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2950" data-original-width="3933" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlZgNuEdvuXEObTN3JriiK6fQTZQW4nuauoPLIBCHV84edRkvQtg_LmiAk713v2dqVX-M2ongtllBAQPzqIr5HRf0bpFOuQ5H0d9S3YPGP6BseklLnTcfm-y081WwMIA3SnrC_rgRQzU2ftuQum6TGogjPwp1ExivheORFVCFoQSkhUErEZ4/w640-h480/20220517_082319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING BACK TO CORROUR STATION HOUSE. RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">As was usual on this year's Challenge I was walking into the teeth of a keen wind that nipped at my nose, so battening down the hatches I escaped from my waking up stumble back into my long walk lope. There really is a profound difference in gait when you hit your stride; walking becomes a natural act with seemingly far less effort expended. Your mind escapes the mundane footfall forecast and frees itself up for flights of fancy. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The skull cinema plays clips from past Challenges: Mad'n'Bad decked out in party balloons bouncing from muddy wheel rut to muddy wheel rut, cursing the bastards of the Scottish Six Day Trials, followed by Lord Elpus plunging bollock deep into a bog, or Michael from Norn Iron passing round the poteen, celebrating the slowest three miles he had ever walked in his life. He had obviously never walked with Phil and me before, masters of the slow and easy plod.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here's today's route. Let's be honest; today is an absolute gem. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMjMh8eGYkRnnrqrnGoo9xrn7NwqeKcAeL41bdaZneLi0dIRswZulkuQm2O9Q0JVDvjqkejLI9ukBWI1VjKHrHE5tR0gQz_x7aR4Cg1XbmqYYmMyKqK7J1VbtW2UK7Y2d1W3oxaAzn1YB7ygqMJBZ9Y1QN-iVe0344tkW_S983UzjrUUDKVk/s1522/Screenshot%202022-06-19%20195336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1522" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMjMh8eGYkRnnrqrnGoo9xrn7NwqeKcAeL41bdaZneLi0dIRswZulkuQm2O9Q0JVDvjqkejLI9ukBWI1VjKHrHE5tR0gQz_x7aR4Cg1XbmqYYmMyKqK7J1VbtW2UK7Y2d1W3oxaAzn1YB7ygqMJBZ9Y1QN-iVe0344tkW_S983UzjrUUDKVk/w640-h372/Screenshot%202022-06-19%20195336.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DAY 5: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Distance 22 km</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ascent: 300 m</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Leaving the main track alongside the Loch to take the much improved path up to Peter's Rock, the scenery shifters suddenly burst into action. Whole new backdrops are hoisted skywards; looking forward Bealach Dubh bursts out from beneath a blanket of cloud, backwards and the Ben is seen, summit shrouded.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmYWlvz3aadJyGR-N5eUXoGvP5WM6_sDEo8XNkua0jLchu0Fw5qDkbAQpJzjFMvOCsX7QqEHq4uNbdSFKCfq8QD3QhX8HCQiwLzl4s9BWpvcAtYLm6_zk4wMD9CXiVdqvw1zTBqL8KpriZtd7BZdoxRvu5HN_7f_4ejJoQqcrux94ZevFSG0/s3596/20220517_085933.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="3596" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmYWlvz3aadJyGR-N5eUXoGvP5WM6_sDEo8XNkua0jLchu0Fw5qDkbAQpJzjFMvOCsX7QqEHq4uNbdSFKCfq8QD3QhX8HCQiwLzl4s9BWpvcAtYLm6_zk4wMD9CXiVdqvw1zTBqL8KpriZtd7BZdoxRvu5HN_7f_4ejJoQqcrux94ZevFSG0/w640-h388/20220517_085933.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING TOWARDS BEALACH DUBH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZhYGdeZ2maT97IASuNqRUs_EbKw1G97deQymb0rVWpxuGn2zMbhwTrufL5rn1M4LaHQPspSpbt5T5gN6SsAPnCfex1TPs1awwxNCPBS3EZwoSEcX2tLkC1TwP0C-Y7OayszVbRGLJcfMGzdZq8VTanMk9-g12tY3yTuIe7I1VoJVLoozM3M/s3933/20220517_090012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="3933" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZhYGdeZ2maT97IASuNqRUs_EbKw1G97deQymb0rVWpxuGn2zMbhwTrufL5rn1M4LaHQPspSpbt5T5gN6SsAPnCfex1TPs1awwxNCPBS3EZwoSEcX2tLkC1TwP0C-Y7OayszVbRGLJcfMGzdZq8VTanMk9-g12tY3yTuIe7I1VoJVLoozM3M/w640-h410/20220517_090012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">BACK DOWN THE TRACK TO THE STATION HOUSE, WITH LOCH OSSIAN AND THE BEN, IN CLOUD</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Still climbing gently after resting at Peter's Rock the fabulous Rannoch Moor is hoisted - a massive feat for the guys with the ropes. Every time I pass this way this view catches me almost by surprise. It's an intense feeling, suddenly catching a vast space. And today I'm on my own and it's very personal. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="530" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I1Xuae1n-7E" width="636" youtube-src-id="I1Xuae1n-7E"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PANORAMA - MAGNIFICENT OPEN COUNTRY </span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next stretch is quite simply the best enjoyed miles in Scotland. For me, walked in either direction, it's an almost religious experience. If you've not been this way, make a plan for it right now. Find your closest friend and share the experience with them. I promise that you will never forget it. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxUez08ARb4FxWOxr80kzKp7JU6238GEGihTT5dbe7FSmTcfSErHW7bCOWl8VkGKiMqncAYFxef62210NFVqeHhSFH8TXeCa3Xx1XQJ_SKV_XaysGuuMzHNGhCdJCe0zMYl-eXDKQqJi9WJJiUYrobNiVEvjMrq-gATlVsV14rYVW3kC0rK4/s3084/20220517_103725~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="3084" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxUez08ARb4FxWOxr80kzKp7JU6238GEGihTT5dbe7FSmTcfSErHW7bCOWl8VkGKiMqncAYFxef62210NFVqeHhSFH8TXeCa3Xx1XQJ_SKV_XaysGuuMzHNGhCdJCe0zMYl-eXDKQqJi9WJJiUYrobNiVEvjMrq-gATlVsV14rYVW3kC0rK4/w640-h372/20220517_103725~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">WHO COULD NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS? [RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN NEW WINDOW]</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYUCi6eW3MfVsWjYdKHaPGsRPM2OeOCnJjO3lxBVgeNN44nukCtfUSYdZYiup_sI05-asJso3P7ogLPyxN0rQRtYM3GoV8gDTyA5l9hArz1oFyACUfzBa6MXKMcRZXF43Hp3Q-Mv_EMkjvTWK89jOkz8UsyTn8ozEM94F5mUmT3jcwVgG8iE/s3927/20220517_105927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="3927" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYUCi6eW3MfVsWjYdKHaPGsRPM2OeOCnJjO3lxBVgeNN44nukCtfUSYdZYiup_sI05-asJso3P7ogLPyxN0rQRtYM3GoV8gDTyA5l9hArz1oFyACUfzBa6MXKMcRZXF43Hp3Q-Mv_EMkjvTWK89jOkz8UsyTn8ozEM94F5mUmT3jcwVgG8iE/w640-h398/20220517_105927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy62ynP6i9fuNfByTgjaBOaIrJRltZ4mGUh6VIvjHXpaX8jIsvWDQHDrseL5h8AU3kzoGCO2yBT03nD3-abzJ3oSFEMaS4RF836AFqBvHYZmYHYw-9OzpX55-BlCtQFEFVQWiNmzZIZCUhY7GBSJKFP2JJU6Fe3JBiyquJ59jzDpt1LxvlHo/s3777/20220517_111854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2107" data-original-width="3777" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy62ynP6i9fuNfByTgjaBOaIrJRltZ4mGUh6VIvjHXpaX8jIsvWDQHDrseL5h8AU3kzoGCO2yBT03nD3-abzJ3oSFEMaS4RF836AFqBvHYZmYHYw-9OzpX55-BlCtQFEFVQWiNmzZIZCUhY7GBSJKFP2JJU6Fe3JBiyquJ59jzDpt1LxvlHo/w640-h358/20220517_111854.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And here's a gratuitous extra picture I took ten years ago when I walked this section with Mad'n'Bad Walker:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yKu056tQ_ht2fuzoMhvIs1ixu2yi7YNJjs8txh5MfGWO8Nf2R4CsL1Hri0ds1BQECj59cYVVcJxecKbkXKzog7_WIjTZeL7FayAWn6ov6er9lnu4TGKTdiXej6vy_aXf1o5H70rmHbQo08rb9sRUANdbHzPurFz9A_8HPl4o2j3ihspd87U/s3072/IMG_3153%5B6%5D%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1825" data-original-width="3072" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yKu056tQ_ht2fuzoMhvIs1ixu2yi7YNJjs8txh5MfGWO8Nf2R4CsL1Hri0ds1BQECj59cYVVcJxecKbkXKzog7_WIjTZeL7FayAWn6ov6er9lnu4TGKTdiXej6vy_aXf1o5H70rmHbQo08rb9sRUANdbHzPurFz9A_8HPl4o2j3ihspd87U/w640-h380/IMG_3153%5B6%5D%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">TAKEN ON THE TGO CHALLENGE 2012: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0-TgTs-ndbvXSB500KtiOPT7MC6gkIos03HHbqddHPwsz_SXt4myI6gxSvPW7snnwmzPtDifsdbJOmZD01sDQypOMmw1CM89Q6r8PIE5pUiMr2lx7MjsG_BIwMR-58pr8TfW2fOPafsIVE16K29cYa-RtDfRHp1rPBtSJOlkTQIU8zUncts/s3993/20220517_130810.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3993" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0-TgTs-ndbvXSB500KtiOPT7MC6gkIos03HHbqddHPwsz_SXt4myI6gxSvPW7snnwmzPtDifsdbJOmZD01sDQypOMmw1CM89Q6r8PIE5pUiMr2lx7MjsG_BIwMR-58pr8TfW2fOPafsIVE16K29cYa-RtDfRHp1rPBtSJOlkTQIU8zUncts/w640-h400/20220517_130810.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING TOWARDS RANNOCH STATION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As I was taking this picture - which is a little tricky using a phone in heavy gusts of wind as it's nowhere near as stable as using an SLR - there was an almighty noise and I looked up to see an RAF Typhoon screaming overhead in a tight turn. Amazingly, I caught it dead centre in the frame. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKDq0S97uJV3Zu-oXOI2YYwxYZzErpBVKcpPcNiNwGlDxW6jQNQG9_SfwkqL1_VMDhY1AgqwG27pETNaf3MGufcNuGkPDiCg6f_UCIv6zvupHQ9V_rvHsRLipzhg1HGbSS4zggEHseNQnTTZgUygHvVFwnAGvKo_idm-ICtSs85fF_zZJCxM/s3207/20220517_130827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="3207" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKDq0S97uJV3Zu-oXOI2YYwxYZzErpBVKcpPcNiNwGlDxW6jQNQG9_SfwkqL1_VMDhY1AgqwG27pETNaf3MGufcNuGkPDiCg6f_UCIv6zvupHQ9V_rvHsRLipzhg1HGbSS4zggEHseNQnTTZgUygHvVFwnAGvKo_idm-ICtSs85fF_zZJCxM/w640-h538/20220517_130827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the track down to the road I met a convoy of very smart off road vehicles climbing gently towards me. I chatted to a smart chap in the passenger seat and he explained that they were heading up for a photo shoot for a very well known outdoor brand. Everyone seemed to be decked out in Barbour. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple of gorgeous women and men in sporting poses carefully arranged in front of our scenery shifters' finest efforts in fashionable magazines the world over.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIRUPei-7kkBaz-iD44IMPtF4k5Mfm1mhReWrC5i6DYr1uM5gCGDYhb_DS7gzyBy2Unu_bzfkRDrCjoOkYQxGQmdAj3Y0ZbjXU1reLgQ4PupMwh2eNPZqOvMGFxRvZCYhkT8Cd0Cz3rmZy2cRwJpLgrA5l6jRR7xfM-cf0sCAQ-k8gjFtJyY/s4032/20220517_133941.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIRUPei-7kkBaz-iD44IMPtF4k5Mfm1mhReWrC5i6DYr1uM5gCGDYhb_DS7gzyBy2Unu_bzfkRDrCjoOkYQxGQmdAj3Y0ZbjXU1reLgQ4PupMwh2eNPZqOvMGFxRvZCYhkT8Cd0Cz3rmZy2cRwJpLgrA5l6jRR7xfM-cf0sCAQ-k8gjFtJyY/w400-h300/20220517_133941.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ROADSIDE FURNITURE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUewKjlJGJfSAX6AG2Y_VyJ2RmGcJ7SEPBvgIdokwYey_eN_tm7hPDbHbctqesIwWQVxG53I2P_MKDoTdpi-MX7hMQxWorOpC3FisI-oZhhfjoweQdwYefloIISI5vOjUi9uW5JQWYtWepKad3qNCJpGOzzCK9aqZ_DrY2MwDEl4C4V97_rlc/s4032/20220517_134331.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUewKjlJGJfSAX6AG2Y_VyJ2RmGcJ7SEPBvgIdokwYey_eN_tm7hPDbHbctqesIwWQVxG53I2P_MKDoTdpi-MX7hMQxWorOpC3FisI-oZhhfjoweQdwYefloIISI5vOjUi9uW5JQWYtWepKad3qNCJpGOzzCK9aqZ_DrY2MwDEl4C4V97_rlc/w300-h400/20220517_134331.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE GOOD PEOPLE AT SCOTWAYS STILL HARD AT IT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Even taking loads of snaps and a great many rest stops I was still running early, so I decided to have a break alongside the B846. If you were to have a break sat alongside a B road where I live in the south east of England you would choke on diesel and petrol fumes and be at risk of being crushed to death by HGVs and boy racers. Today, sitting here for about half an hour I think two cars passed me, and that was really the one car, heading up to Rannoch Station, a dead end, and back again after picking up some passengers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I dined on peanut M&Ms washed down with Waitrose No. 1 Tawny Port: The snack of champions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to say, today was the first day of the Challenge that I can look back on and honestly say I absolutely loved every minute.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrrgxKsP5lq7XkpwYoXJGDmEWZMrPH2QvfhttomMYmeE-0DemWORoR4b4jzxqfX_Qnsa2rZxkE0Ffdq9HZ776qE5SBdg1fMiZ_u5Oi0gOE6HKg-FQkk4bEowrYlxipRZ5hA_OhZImGzmTOa9JL_3XETevPD7cD9Wz_xpymuX1PdeZXIKG270/s2944/20220517_140011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrrgxKsP5lq7XkpwYoXJGDmEWZMrPH2QvfhttomMYmeE-0DemWORoR4b4jzxqfX_Qnsa2rZxkE0Ffdq9HZ776qE5SBdg1fMiZ_u5Oi0gOE6HKg-FQkk4bEowrYlxipRZ5hA_OhZImGzmTOa9JL_3XETevPD7cD9Wz_xpymuX1PdeZXIKG270/w480-h640/20220517_140011.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A VERY HAPPY GENTLEMAN OF THE ROAD</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The minor road walk to one of the best Dinner, Bed and Breakfast establishments in Scotland, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofnowhereguesthouse/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Bridge of Gaur Guesthouse</span></a>, is gently downhill all the way until a fierce little kick at the very end. I was met with kindness, friendliness and efficiency. Heather and Eddie are magnificent hosts. Heather is also incredibly brave, taking my very stinky clothes and returning them in the morning beautifully clean and fluffy. This was only my second visit but each time it has been quite perfect. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s1z8MKJdw07Eve69f3y58RrU1sgnu5Y8E8l9XkKoBuPm18BhZKHVdPS5tRWgv75iFZ0_NeIcwG0x6jwe98CvsKhFtGFxEUBx_tu3gkAjavJE1HdXPPWyvw5sjlnnU6R1_3200Z1wUinIe6n5beNY-vflQb1eFU5exT3fGgNJlXBZ-BmGVlM/s3918/20220517_170048.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="3918" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s1z8MKJdw07Eve69f3y58RrU1sgnu5Y8E8l9XkKoBuPm18BhZKHVdPS5tRWgv75iFZ0_NeIcwG0x6jwe98CvsKhFtGFxEUBx_tu3gkAjavJE1HdXPPWyvw5sjlnnU6R1_3200Z1wUinIe6n5beNY-vflQb1eFU5exT3fGgNJlXBZ-BmGVlM/w640-h450/20220517_170048.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7tyidSICwi2Q3BVVzzmxTmgVocRKfIgsdLef4NfRwzB1Dqy9Mzt1hRnbqLQHFzIqWuGgMpsYZHYNaz4qDMDS-DBDb903P0GNVH0jVG_xDwc1tTComvgFGuOr2YL7YbTaaZ6qsfrKJfhxMdTO2mP25Rt6xL4X0hGQCzMpNHq2JGqsI4iiaYo/s1635/Screenshot_20220518-185757_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1635" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7tyidSICwi2Q3BVVzzmxTmgVocRKfIgsdLef4NfRwzB1Dqy9Mzt1hRnbqLQHFzIqWuGgMpsYZHYNaz4qDMDS-DBDb903P0GNVH0jVG_xDwc1tTComvgFGuOr2YL7YbTaaZ6qsfrKJfhxMdTO2mP25Rt6xL4X0hGQCzMpNHq2JGqsI4iiaYo/w422-h640/Screenshot_20220518-185757_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TODAY'S STEP COUNT - RESTS VIRTUALLY EVERY HOUR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Again, the food parcel proved to be an embarrassment as I still had so much food uneaten. I left more than half of the parcel with Heather to give away to hungry hikers or cyclists. I'm still not eating anywhere near enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Kb6DSY50M6hniD4fomDZnFCjOo2mc-JF-wK0tgXNZkav8C-mX4RMWaHia9BLjVZeM6eRDHAAbyw13uQddj7top39GCu2Hy1KjEpaAsPDFxbokfT3D__3r9k0dVhy9UlkMV28zDlqkM4sBX8t1bf5eQeugwnjTNox8vjvCtGB8sAhYKiUhl8/s3883/20220517_215211.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="3883" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Kb6DSY50M6hniD4fomDZnFCjOo2mc-JF-wK0tgXNZkav8C-mX4RMWaHia9BLjVZeM6eRDHAAbyw13uQddj7top39GCu2Hy1KjEpaAsPDFxbokfT3D__3r9k0dVhy9UlkMV28zDlqkM4sBX8t1bf5eQeugwnjTNox8vjvCtGB8sAhYKiUhl8/w400-h241/20220517_215211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">GIANT FOOD BAG OD UNEATEN FOOD AND NEW FOOD PARCEL</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally, my TGO Challenge mojo was back but even though walking a comparatively social route I had not met another Challenger apart from Graeme, who I walked with for barely a mile. That was pretty miserable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="527" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nkAJogQioc" width="633" youtube-src-id="2nkAJogQioc"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RAW, AND HEARTFELT.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-16871958397769221332022-06-18T23:10:00.007+01:002022-06-20T13:13:10.102+01:00TGO Challenge 2022, Day 4: Mamore Lodge to Corrour<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Not all of last night's titting about on the internet was a waste of time. Before sliding sideways into sleep I had thought to look at the weather forecast for Kinlochleven for tomorrow. That's today now - that's the today in the blog, not today, the day you're reading this. You understand.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It wasn't pretty. In fact it looked, well, it looked bloody horrible. Heavy rain to move in from around 8:30 am, to persist for most of the day, with heavy gusty winds from the north east, veering east later.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3X2HjaOjx3t6txHHmnvtyBk0EYB86HLlnRvrRvVtjGwPrApBpqyzU1788DTfozvj3I8Dags1asSlsg-Ut31ISLVtExYuMqrqWgQx0WrtqZnsHW-pFSaS18-eJjbciyMhPLrPKDA_m2lCGT7UH4sD58TCyOKQl0BoDgqgV3bhHMDeXSUcNjw/s3955/20220516_073621.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="3955" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3X2HjaOjx3t6txHHmnvtyBk0EYB86HLlnRvrRvVtjGwPrApBpqyzU1788DTfozvj3I8Dags1asSlsg-Ut31ISLVtExYuMqrqWgQx0WrtqZnsHW-pFSaS18-eJjbciyMhPLrPKDA_m2lCGT7UH4sD58TCyOKQl0BoDgqgV3bhHMDeXSUcNjw/w640-h454/20220516_073621.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING BACK TO THE MAMORE LODGE HOTEL AND LOCH LEVEN. TAKEN AT 07:36</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">The caption beneath the above photo tells us that it was taken at just gone 7:30 in the morning. Yes. I woke up before the sparrows had had their first fag and were still coughing, and set off at the ungodly hour of a quarter to seven to get the climb up to Loch Eilde Mor out of the way before the heavens were to open. There's nothing more dispiriting than climbing up in torrential rain, so I chose to climb up and then look forward to a good soaking on the flat with the wind directly in my face. Then after lunch, and heading eastwards once again, it would throw itself once more in my face, changing direction to do so. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">If memory serves, which it increasingly does not these days, I took that photo from a rather handily placed bench at the top of the worst of the climb. What it doesn't show is the horrendous wind that was blasting me from behind. I had to race to retrieve my hat, and one of my walking poles which lifted off the bench and took off!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhpUlIXZkP6uSBYYzhwhD5B24hWV5lK9nBxy8E8_IqHnNAPXye2JwhCqKn6jvHGiYjc1X2htvxtpHFlrXEczI4-HMcHmpicRdLoOrOvM-EUiXqx5VlJ9GBY8ofPaTw_ArKdTZi04BT4b0j-NF-D-IlywypEKQWR763ZtxHgMJgd3OVRx94FQ/s1447/Screenshot%202022-06-13%20122916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1447" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhpUlIXZkP6uSBYYzhwhD5B24hWV5lK9nBxy8E8_IqHnNAPXye2JwhCqKn6jvHGiYjc1X2htvxtpHFlrXEczI4-HMcHmpicRdLoOrOvM-EUiXqx5VlJ9GBY8ofPaTw_ArKdTZi04BT4b0j-NF-D-IlywypEKQWR763ZtxHgMJgd3OVRx94FQ/w640-h374/Screenshot%202022-06-13%20122916.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DAY 4: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 24 km<div>Ascent: 610 m<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I cannot even begin to describe how awful the next ten klicks were, for the body and the soul. The rain arrived bang on time. I had walked this track before, with Mad'n'Bad and Lord Elpus on a previous Challenge - Phil's tenth - in similar weather, except on that occasion the wind was behind us. This time the driving rain was smack in the face. To add to the misery it was a particularly cold wind. The track switched from stream to lake and back again continuously, making picking a line quite tiresome.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the far end of Loch Eilde Mor there's a stone built ruin which I knew would provide some shelter for elevenses. I found a comfortable rock next to an equally comfortable ruined wall for my chair. Actually the seat had protuberances that dug into my delicate bum and the wall similarly drilled into either my shoulder blade or neck, depending upon which agony I was trying to avoid to my derriere. It was bliss to be out of the weather. Before too long the cold seeped through my clothes, and so a snatched elevenses was over far too soon. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">After the misery of the lochs, the track climbs gently to its highpoint and offers a view of my lunchtime shelter, Meanach Bothy. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xB1uqunSjWSN2EX5VPs_ID4xBm4oYEOib0VeHCgV7uBZUA0Cer5hIR2auYkmGclmnSJrJkCiNEhbWbZerQQTGYFgmELjOdXC9GkMRIUJWgYr4DtjNmRO-kQq1ac9jRWjbyIIxNPaVnP3aqoF-8NsiO8s5qH73ZYX7-UhmM8qcf4afnnhD9U/s4032/20220516_104224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="4032" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xB1uqunSjWSN2EX5VPs_ID4xBm4oYEOib0VeHCgV7uBZUA0Cer5hIR2auYkmGclmnSJrJkCiNEhbWbZerQQTGYFgmELjOdXC9GkMRIUJWgYr4DtjNmRO-kQq1ac9jRWjbyIIxNPaVnP3aqoF-8NsiO8s5qH73ZYX7-UhmM8qcf4afnnhD9U/w640-h416/20220516_104224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LUIBEILT (IN THE TREES) AND MEANACH BOTHY THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ABHAINN RATH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I changed into my water shoes in the comparative shelter of the ruins of Luibeilt, and with my boots strung around my neck, waded into the Abhainn Rath - a fearsome crossing when in spate, and not too clever right at this moment either. I'd picked my exit on the far bank as doable for a bloke with dodgy knees - it should only involve an undignified knees and elbows clamber up the mud - and I was soon close to the goolies in very cold, heavy, moving water. I was incredibly careful here and took a painfully cold time picking each step of the crossing as I didn't fancy being bowled down the river. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The far bank's mud didn't disappoint and my Fjallraven trouser/tights legwear were soon caked in the stuff. I couldn't possibly get any wetter or muddier so simply took a straight line to the bothy through the swamp. Days later I was washing hardened, very fine mud from the inside of the shoes and all the little holes in the insoles.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat7rPaBiFMxhWKlXdyLCoxyKF4Mbke94ISOQQTWCpaiojm-27ETe6wbHPz6lcqBvxJEw_th2lmN5BzO36H5LtX56nZepOCo_Ex1tZIbrILnqV5mk4SVNyaifB-ZyWQysXrVPVGM8vUIeo6h0aMxYN0wIy9B8cqk3_bQA07s8sqCgv34B_tBs/s4032/20220516_120514.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat7rPaBiFMxhWKlXdyLCoxyKF4Mbke94ISOQQTWCpaiojm-27ETe6wbHPz6lcqBvxJEw_th2lmN5BzO36H5LtX56nZepOCo_Ex1tZIbrILnqV5mk4SVNyaifB-ZyWQysXrVPVGM8vUIeo6h0aMxYN0wIy9B8cqk3_bQA07s8sqCgv34B_tBs/w400-h300/20220516_120514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MEANACH INTERIOR. A PALACE.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I spent almost an hour and a half here, tucking in to Ritter chocolate, honey roasted cashew nuts and a couple of tuna wraps. I couldn't be fussed getting the stove out, so for warmth tucked in to the Tawny Port. Jelly babies for pudding with a baked bar. I washed the whole caboodle down with fizzy orange Vitamin C tablet squash. I know what you're thinking; this guy's a gastronome!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlaZP9l39Cpal9N0c7nFuEOp6Gegc7ysTMIJHTwaPSthaMtZSdvFvsujGkNVFQuYciH2ZoeBE8OfDcilTEseekjhPWaOLGux0qiscjQ6DNBljBYPezZwfKCe0qay9pxeWriNn826y06aIl6mv7HjrrVejybpK-qOGuYaj68I5lU3od1Opow4/s4032/20220516_120543.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2708" data-original-width="4032" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlaZP9l39Cpal9N0c7nFuEOp6Gegc7ysTMIJHTwaPSthaMtZSdvFvsujGkNVFQuYciH2ZoeBE8OfDcilTEseekjhPWaOLGux0qiscjQ6DNBljBYPezZwfKCe0qay9pxeWriNn826y06aIl6mv7HjrrVejybpK-qOGuYaj68I5lU3od1Opow4/w640-h430/20220516_120543.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">SLEEPING PLATFORM, GARGANTUAN FOOD BAG & DRAINING WATER SHOES</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of this phenomenal repast the food bag was no smaller and weighed just the same.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whilst being incredibly busy in the bothy I had not noticed the change in the weather in the outside world. As I shut the bothy's front door there was an incredible moment when I realised it wasn't raining! Granted, there was still a very cold strong wind and I was grateful for my anorak to cut out the chill but now my only concern was to find a way through the marsh to collect the path alongside the Abhainn Rath. There was a faint trod on the ground and so I trusted life and limb to it and successfully negotiated a route without drowning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5G1_gqZTyalg5vpPEaYAq7FZW2Yv26FhSknGlducvJ08xEul-tC64RYF1hlOB06mjW_yXQmcKM3at9Vh1jHFuluqyfS3BCONczkEGAKVeNCmiEJsHB6L7OCVKwlXPASeH3byM0eDx6FXNXO5vqeFyyMK03RBfAQFkK3bF99v51dYOdfUyVY/s4032/20220516_131854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2719" data-original-width="4032" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5G1_gqZTyalg5vpPEaYAq7FZW2Yv26FhSknGlducvJ08xEul-tC64RYF1hlOB06mjW_yXQmcKM3at9Vh1jHFuluqyfS3BCONczkEGAKVeNCmiEJsHB6L7OCVKwlXPASeH3byM0eDx6FXNXO5vqeFyyMK03RBfAQFkK3bF99v51dYOdfUyVY/w640-h432/20220516_131854.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ABHAINN RATH BETWEEN MEANACH AND STAOINEAG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a pleasant walk following the river downstream to Staoineag, though the mud meant that slips were cruel on knackered knees. You pass through some delightful river meadows but after my torrid morning my heart wasn't in it and I was overwhelmed with fatigue. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With hindsight I had not been drinking anywhere near enough fluids and eating far too little. Prior to the walk when I had calculated what food I would need each day, my food bag barely covered the calories required. However, looking at the size of it in the bothy it was barely troubled, which could only mean that I was eating far too little.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rather than stop in a sunny spell I decided to carry on down to Creaguaineach Lodge and have a rest there in the shelter of the pines. Consequently I didn't enjoy the gloriously scenery I was moving through. What a dreadful waste!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAw_LS3jWuXkHQmwmhy4d7ew6vvCH-s0jv1h-DkOIdrKz6ma3bUth2d2Qcclke_xLRpanZInVK45EKRcIis_qYQ85CVv7HvLT1qhWyLN4tPsBzfem_ywcbg7h7ETu8oCTLhTUGHROPp6gUHtaKsZzfUY8D9bD9s6Cmf22ZrvoG4hbHDBeKiY/s4032/20220516_140755.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAw_LS3jWuXkHQmwmhy4d7ew6vvCH-s0jv1h-DkOIdrKz6ma3bUth2d2Qcclke_xLRpanZInVK45EKRcIis_qYQ85CVv7HvLT1qhWyLN4tPsBzfem_ywcbg7h7ETu8oCTLhTUGHROPp6gUHtaKsZzfUY8D9bD9s6Cmf22ZrvoG4hbHDBeKiY/w480-h640/20220516_140755.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE PATH DOWNSTREAM FROM STAOINEAG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was as I was resting against a tree at the ruined lodge, scuffing through the bottom of my food bag looking for tasty delights, that I noticed a chap in similar apparel to my own, bearing a similar sized pack and taking a long look at his map. He had to be another Challenger but before I had the wit to get up and say hello he had walked off across the bridge, probably never to be seen again!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bugger! My first Challenger actually on the walk and I missed him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I managed another Ritter chocolate bar and a handful of cashews and a long drink of orange, pulled on my beautiful boots and set off once more. However, this time there was a bit of life in the legs. It's amazing what some warm sunshine, a good rest and some high calorie snacks can do to a chap.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv65pchZAFWyE49A3W0hR0dBp5FKymCEqMQdRNsSGdYJQCIw_PNymUCPEqCGbXBYrR3BclGb6aUo_m4rd78pPgGzbz5Bnn6OB1Vp5xHnxjp-A02DiSOyiZeUKUhpOx7NH8Mx1iEDvZTbwigPZrX4HBMDc-G1ZdyTWBr_WX9wfwE1t6oPA_HFw/s3985/20220516_153013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2677" data-original-width="3985" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv65pchZAFWyE49A3W0hR0dBp5FKymCEqMQdRNsSGdYJQCIw_PNymUCPEqCGbXBYrR3BclGb6aUo_m4rd78pPgGzbz5Bnn6OB1Vp5xHnxjp-A02DiSOyiZeUKUhpOx7NH8Mx1iEDvZTbwigPZrX4HBMDc-G1ZdyTWBr_WX9wfwE1t6oPA_HFw/w400-h269/20220516_153013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">AN INTERESTING ESTABLISHMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF LOCH TREIG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">At the bottom right hand corner of Loch Treig the map shows a building. It's one of the small hydro buildings that the Ossian Estate have built over the last few years. However it was also the spot that the mystery Challenger had earmarked for good camping. I found him strolling back up to the main track, having scouted about unsuccessfully for a spot for the night. He was Graeme, a first timer and thoroughly lovely bloke. I explained that I was heading up to Corrour Station for a slap up dinner and would probably move on afterwards to camp further along my route. I recall that he had walked a very long way today and was rather hoping to camp as soon as possible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I suggested the spot immediately after the track passed under the railway, as I had had a Cheese & Wine Party there around a dozen years ago. We walked together up the gruntily steep track from the loch for all of a mile, before he headed off to his camp and I headed up the incredibly boggy path to the station.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24yRIfSSrC-cSE75HktnuLC2awFFTAnkKhdlgq8b2zEfJQQi4RFktqXWItXAkTbdNllaBYQEtmMrD8fIob5iO030j95EzKA6ZlD-cvXnab7PzbBA8hTu9jV-xxxpg_YP3PuPG0oYvDVcrHOzSVQNavucQ7zsiXMv5EK_-mMVApntWAcaNja0/s3883/20220516_172726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="3883" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24yRIfSSrC-cSE75HktnuLC2awFFTAnkKhdlgq8b2zEfJQQi4RFktqXWItXAkTbdNllaBYQEtmMrD8fIob5iO030j95EzKA6ZlD-cvXnab7PzbBA8hTu9jV-xxxpg_YP3PuPG0oYvDVcrHOzSVQNavucQ7zsiXMv5EK_-mMVApntWAcaNja0/w640-h456/20220516_172726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OAXi3DSgtmCYQ3PFO6nEIv7mhnJ-1JYQV-DbPbKgDLs1rFQ9SL7rU9jm1fV9C27YP7oNGXiVdxL5ST6p2XC8QkEIx27__UYaVXj5FnG2-7_jwdE1Z7c9pxoUxpO9H3dkfT3MmwzQQp-lfObKiMBafq5mDHztP-zXkXp5Y1jxKbTqiyCxLZQ/s3955/20220516_172913.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="3955" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OAXi3DSgtmCYQ3PFO6nEIv7mhnJ-1JYQV-DbPbKgDLs1rFQ9SL7rU9jm1fV9C27YP7oNGXiVdxL5ST6p2XC8QkEIx27__UYaVXj5FnG2-7_jwdE1Z7c9pxoUxpO9H3dkfT3MmwzQQp-lfObKiMBafq5mDHztP-zXkXp5Y1jxKbTqiyCxLZQ/w640-h328/20220516_172913.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CORROUR STATION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Just as I was falling into the warm fug of Corrour Station House I noticed a tent pitched off to the right. Ordering a couple of pints of cider and a plate of fish and chips I asked if they allowed camping and of the fee. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">"Anywhere you like if you can find a flat spot. It'll be windy, mind." And "Oh, there's no charge and we leave the door to the loos open so you can have access to them overnight."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IpafA5E0uahHoU9VZNKIbWuS0ARKxYp9DNZxmR1X96I8UsmWm0xoRFkMePHpMXkbdgS2Sau4OW48mBCoqqhmUfl1OrIouvq50vFebV9qP-IpTwrjQb-495hS2aNU_UAlRFWyUXwT46WtPYMRDPfUAFxrHe1emTNDuhzsCdvhadsKSYstpng/s2048/280891159_10226417609282620_3076707917885595241_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IpafA5E0uahHoU9VZNKIbWuS0ARKxYp9DNZxmR1X96I8UsmWm0xoRFkMePHpMXkbdgS2Sau4OW48mBCoqqhmUfl1OrIouvq50vFebV9qP-IpTwrjQb-495hS2aNU_UAlRFWyUXwT46WtPYMRDPfUAFxrHe1emTNDuhzsCdvhadsKSYstpng/w640-h360/280891159_10226417609282620_3076707917885595241_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CORROUR STATION RESTAURANT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I thought I had died and gone to heaven with a Gold Card. I was definitely going no further tonight and was going to enjoy a table, and a chair, and good food, and good drink, and kindness! This was blissful.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Putting the tent up was reasonably tricky as the pegs only managed about a couple of inches each but that was good enough as I was absolutely knackered once more, and fell into my sleeping bag not to be shifted until the next morning. As I lay there, I realised the the Caledonian Sleeper would be coming through later on that evening.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For the first time, <b><i>ever</i></b>, on a Challenge, for the first time in twenty six years, I imagined myself climbing aboard and waking up in Euston, and all this mad nonsense could stop. Thankfully I was fast asleep when the old girl trundled through Corrour. Had I been awake it would have been a close call.</p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuGjcABh5Q0h6b3k5H4W3gzmUFPHKn8Qu8tZd0dTPKee1tYTPEGnnaNMVUStHf_yoBpM01fCPWllTgE3yfP7Hr9vf7ljC4ufAQyPe1i7KXdaAPJS60FLGxWl6qGrTwh4Xznq7LlknwAHRDocSEkxHHO6FtCEdLCXy9zOr3ZvKsDwfi54cAKA/s1170/Screenshot_20220518-185804_Samsung%20Health.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuGjcABh5Q0h6b3k5H4W3gzmUFPHKn8Qu8tZd0dTPKee1tYTPEGnnaNMVUStHf_yoBpM01fCPWllTgE3yfP7Hr9vf7ljC4ufAQyPe1i7KXdaAPJS60FLGxWl6qGrTwh4Xznq7LlknwAHRDocSEkxHHO6FtCEdLCXy9zOr3ZvKsDwfi54cAKA/w369-h400/Screenshot_20220518-185804_Samsung%20Health.jpg" width="369" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TODAY'S STEPS - A BIG BREAK AT MEANACH!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="531" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jUBpN3jr3FQ" width="639" youtube-src-id="jUBpN3jr3FQ"></iframe></div><br />Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-660949830271691382022-06-11T21:29:00.000+01:002022-06-11T21:29:27.098+01:00TGO Challenge 2022: Day 3: Corran to Mamore Lodge<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The west of Scotland is magnificent - steep sided mountains soaring straight from the sea to dizzying heights. The weather changes from warm sunshine to horizontal sluicing rain in minutes with a dazzling array of lighting effects. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">For a Challenger walking from the west coast this magnificent scenery has its downsides. Starting from sea level means you're exerting considerably more energy climbing, whether you're sliding on your belly over the bealachs or stretching for the summits. The changeable weather means you've to carry all manner of clothing to suit every whim of Heather the Weather or young Mr McCaskill.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today, to keep you anchored in reality I'll mention that it is a Sunday - a day of rest - and I'm the last foot passenger to board the Corran Ferry at 8:30am, having breakfasted well at the Inn just a few steps away. I'll be starting at sea level then. All that height gained so far on the walk is now history. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVQuafz9A0ekm1NOYDxuz160dR6FQQXzR5bAcErzNVfHOM0AzSnR1ANMsNoHHHp1dxbzIV51UX81VuY4O6AWu6AVDPzzpFVf7Ss0qJFLXOx8JpnDLu9qKrBFPn_bZMKcqxO_gG2O1Mk7sHIvVrpYtOVe07D_-VqC6lzlM53vtV7SDltq4cE/s1526/Screenshot%202022-06-10%20221133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1526" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVQuafz9A0ekm1NOYDxuz160dR6FQQXzR5bAcErzNVfHOM0AzSnR1ANMsNoHHHp1dxbzIV51UX81VuY4O6AWu6AVDPzzpFVf7Ss0qJFLXOx8JpnDLu9qKrBFPn_bZMKcqxO_gG2O1Mk7sHIvVrpYtOVe07D_-VqC6lzlM53vtV7SDltq4cE/w640-h372/Screenshot%202022-06-10%20221133.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 3: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 24 km<div>Ascent: 670 m</div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So let's cross the Corran Narrows and I'll meet you on the other side: It's no more than a five minute journey.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisikJkLL3lWISxi_RLGeSjEoOuc79amOs03yVxwz0BgeJACxKLmhtqrrhI3s9DdEXkLeJOwE27hEiColjBiVcs5j618d7FKMi_pZTgKXD9eicNTG_i2qemFVyWQBOtwP-pMCOBlMwHe9cQ7a6uzzxySWEyakmJk8FiSEjvYi43mavAynGnCUc/s3912/20220515_085417.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="3912" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisikJkLL3lWISxi_RLGeSjEoOuc79amOs03yVxwz0BgeJACxKLmhtqrrhI3s9DdEXkLeJOwE27hEiColjBiVcs5j618d7FKMi_pZTgKXD9eicNTG_i2qemFVyWQBOtwP-pMCOBlMwHe9cQ7a6uzzxySWEyakmJk8FiSEjvYi43mavAynGnCUc/w640-h448/20220515_085417.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE 8:30am FERRY LEAVING THE INN AT ARDGOUR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLBGRJ0R9W6fr2s7dtKQ_iiDasZ6oYNjVjUW1hzdsjnKJE8-Khy5z82rWylDjPpaV5zX4q53FmuNXhk5ELolSkV53Hry2MwCs775MHrzyWgrEVFj3TouwGTdj10fOexc71_gMos7kKbylgpMmPR8PRdWzfIFIFJJ0SQ4J-uZ1NBZ47Pc58Wg/s3924/20220515_085501.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2626" data-original-width="3924" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLBGRJ0R9W6fr2s7dtKQ_iiDasZ6oYNjVjUW1hzdsjnKJE8-Khy5z82rWylDjPpaV5zX4q53FmuNXhk5ELolSkV53Hry2MwCs775MHrzyWgrEVFj3TouwGTdj10fOexc71_gMos7kKbylgpMmPR8PRdWzfIFIFJJ0SQ4J-uZ1NBZ47Pc58Wg/w640-h429/20220515_085501.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING ACROSS THE NARROWS TO INCHREE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR0H0lpJfOFA5XzqNe3iBUb9V9lcpozzaKKzX-Y9gmc21Jm3LmOz5uHk3jDVVC9PG_ga8_xyx-1QzrFQJ0ux7GY3fJL0Oj-fk0Xj0TAezN-SwuWLrSq-gazn0-C8VJ8-mE7YbheqdeL8cy3568mlR0FmDOQKAkzeF6CDtNnIIWeft9QfNVZA/s3764/20220515_085614.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3764" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR0H0lpJfOFA5XzqNe3iBUb9V9lcpozzaKKzX-Y9gmc21Jm3LmOz5uHk3jDVVC9PG_ga8_xyx-1QzrFQJ0ux7GY3fJL0Oj-fk0Xj0TAezN-SwuWLrSq-gazn0-C8VJ8-mE7YbheqdeL8cy3568mlR0FmDOQKAkzeF6CDtNnIIWeft9QfNVZA/w640-h514/20220515_085614.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING NORTH EAST UP LOCH LINNHE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyLlfoTvZDkkt_GaFLZZcFxaaC9duYX6irQ9BN_wPsqvBWUyd2Tnz4MdHoy88C9v-kvm3ufs28EAOFNZzPa32RnKk6Iz6Z24XP5ScZC57BDu-PZtMrVU2x2XUkHY2-92sgx2DB62x0xug081HaExxK30yEHPGGfVuE7s9VUU7yA1B_CgsfRU/s3970/20220515_090152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2867" data-original-width="3970" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyLlfoTvZDkkt_GaFLZZcFxaaC9duYX6irQ9BN_wPsqvBWUyd2Tnz4MdHoy88C9v-kvm3ufs28EAOFNZzPa32RnKk6Iz6Z24XP5ScZC57BDu-PZtMrVU2x2XUkHY2-92sgx2DB62x0xug081HaExxK30yEHPGGfVuE7s9VUU7yA1B_CgsfRU/w640-h462/20220515_090152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I couldn't take the footpath from the carpark to the waterfalls viewpoint as it was closed as trees had been blown over in a storm and had yet to be cleared. It was a simple walk up the track and then continuing to the head of Glen Righ - a pleasant undemanding five mile walk.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezD0KhqfHIAFS6YX-JBljOnrVrwo3xonqm7Z-I23ZEBrwhY04hGRbhj-60p9KmeJxz4N4X8YO6VR4Ko7xoRqy61X8U6UD2Ku6qBxX5o1TMaPuY39QEvEa-EtLhLXK1MfFMW3sQlSrW8x-gX0bFBIlR0QaIlDirE51AIZ4bykVscD0xzPUSu0/s3971/20220515_100005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2364" data-original-width="3971" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezD0KhqfHIAFS6YX-JBljOnrVrwo3xonqm7Z-I23ZEBrwhY04hGRbhj-60p9KmeJxz4N4X8YO6VR4Ko7xoRqy61X8U6UD2Ku6qBxX5o1TMaPuY39QEvEa-EtLhLXK1MfFMW3sQlSrW8x-gX0bFBIlR0QaIlDirE51AIZ4bykVscD0xzPUSu0/w640-h382/20220515_100005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> LOOKING BACK TO THE CORRAN NARROWS WITH COIRE DUBH ABOVE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Looking back to the Corran Narrows had me thinking about how they were formed. After a bit of Googling it seems the accepted theory is as follows: [which I've copied from this source, as it's written in a more accessible voice than that of the British Geological Society's explanation: <a href="https://kilchoan.blogspot.com/2010/05/corran-ferry.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">https://kilchoan.blogspot.com/2010/05/corran-ferry.html</span></a> ]</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #0b243f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><i>The narrows were formed by the glacier which gouged out the Great Glen and the trough now occupied by Loch Linnhe. At the end of the last ice age, when the glacier was retreating up its valley, its snout - the point where it melted - stopped for a time at Corran. At this point the ice, being lighter than the sea water into which it was flowing, lifted off the bottom, leaving an underwater ridge. There are many other examples of this feature, the other well-known local one being at the Connel Bridge near Oban, where the outgoing tide flows over the ridge to form the Falls of Lara.</i></span></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">That's all well and good as far as it goes but it doesn't explain why the Loch Linnhe retreating glacier stopped, or paused, here. Looking at the above picture in combination with the map that you've opened and blown up in a new window, you'll see that above the narrows is Coire Dubh and from the map you'll see its glacier dumped a massive end moraine between Ardgour House and Keil House. On the opposite side of the narrows there would have been a substantial glacier in Gleann Righ, flowing away from the ice cap that incorporated the Ben Nevis group and the Mamores. This would have supplied both lateral moraines and an end moraine to add to those from Coire Dubh. These two sources would have grabbed at the retreating Loch Linnhe ice and piled up and added to its lateral moraines as well as the retreating terminal moraine. Subsequent tidal forces produced the spit that forms Salachan Point. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">A quick look at the map suggests that the narrows at Ballachulish have been formed in the same way, provided this time from the massive resource of the huge corries of Beinn a Bheithir to the south.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's these little problems that keep me going; it stops me thinking about my tired legs and lack of a decent engine. It was my old geography teacher, an inspirational man, John Earp, who encouraged my interest in geomorphology. I still have and treasure one of his textbooks he gave to me, published in 1959, from his time at Durham:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp90wdKulpYUmnkWwG8i59neDnz6VeEitTYW4JohClNSDMa6nxmTvx_knEPNymAVs9MFzTkbeQu8EoIsau7qPzeXZlCsHKX5UC7fX7Ti2VWU3NxvTmsKdiGM28us83qUEBwFPiBou5-Lmc3Ep3EPMVKHQzQ6xlLEndiP15Y9ZazUS0752hcE/s3942/20220611_175335~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3942" data-original-width="2605" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp90wdKulpYUmnkWwG8i59neDnz6VeEitTYW4JohClNSDMa6nxmTvx_knEPNymAVs9MFzTkbeQu8EoIsau7qPzeXZlCsHKX5UC7fX7Ti2VWU3NxvTmsKdiGM28us83qUEBwFPiBou5-Lmc3Ep3EPMVKHQzQ6xlLEndiP15Y9ZazUS0752hcE/w264-h400/20220611_175335~2.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdygUHn9UlTkjs0JX2MuDH3a6hikYteU91mjGeBtuLyRrM3WBWZuBgm1XNZJnEqYHyUfRwhq1yRSooEgpDdMgtpmHS5eQmvUyvVi61HsBKpS8nu1ka5EjpqNspqObGh_dREWQL6PlJM9GMbyrBP_HpAMW8kXJ1rZn36ouuNr3Cjpj733MUj7k/s3602/20220611_175350~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3602" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdygUHn9UlTkjs0JX2MuDH3a6hikYteU91mjGeBtuLyRrM3WBWZuBgm1XNZJnEqYHyUfRwhq1yRSooEgpDdMgtpmHS5eQmvUyvVi61HsBKpS8nu1ka5EjpqNspqObGh_dREWQL6PlJM9GMbyrBP_HpAMW8kXJ1rZn36ouuNr3Cjpj733MUj7k/w269-h320/20220611_175350~2.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">In the next picture you'll see that I'm standing slightly above the surrounding ground. I was following the moraines that you can see on the map as it's drier and easier underfoot than following the stream which has awkward bluffs to negotiate.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0T6Mx0fHZEElIKXKGjcn2OZ8uxSK0M7Wxlluj23-pmkel6cKizVKI6BNTHbN8_F1NGKDVC-HoppeXqaw9WATcgF9DS5CdVspWc0ERQkNIdlZSDpuxAMny0PEwVAcY0-zMzEZ9Ny_i7SBYYuXgeCJGAiK2lBAdHiNGVzcaj2kxcNM8O33GPo/s3544/20220515_120821.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="3544" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0T6Mx0fHZEElIKXKGjcn2OZ8uxSK0M7Wxlluj23-pmkel6cKizVKI6BNTHbN8_F1NGKDVC-HoppeXqaw9WATcgF9DS5CdVspWc0ERQkNIdlZSDpuxAMny0PEwVAcY0-zMzEZ9Ny_i7SBYYuXgeCJGAiK2lBAdHiNGVzcaj2kxcNM8O33GPo/w640-h384/20220515_120821.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LUNDAVRA WITH BEN NEVIS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Lundavra sits in a gorgeous spot and guards its privacy, so don't disturb the residents as they used to be quite prickly about Challengers passing through their ground. I've never experienced it myself, as I'm a smiley chap when walking through this beautiful spot. It's hard to be rough with someone who smiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">There's no charge for this sage advice handed down by a generally grumpy bloke.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6IeaED9ZVThAlpR0I5WPRVwLBuAp1waTj41ez7Dfn-jR_MfRLgP47f8q5H-xXXFo8oz_sBCntmp8AYCTBG-g_cX1Z5kL4E9OxJLTKpsU_r4juCMU6OtSnqxmudLCF6b9trJcAi0ljDAH3gT_ePMqN3rgz7TDRVbtmxsYscDLDAFkqp0xD1c/s3796/20220515_121850.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3796" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6IeaED9ZVThAlpR0I5WPRVwLBuAp1waTj41ez7Dfn-jR_MfRLgP47f8q5H-xXXFo8oz_sBCntmp8AYCTBG-g_cX1Z5kL4E9OxJLTKpsU_r4juCMU6OtSnqxmudLCF6b9trJcAi0ljDAH3gT_ePMqN3rgz7TDRVbtmxsYscDLDAFkqp0xD1c/w510-h640/20220515_121850.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LUNDAVRA</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The public road starts immediately after Lundavra and takes you to the junction with the West Highland Way. The wind was still very strong and very cold, and at this point, sheltering under the small canopy of a West Highland Way information board that I made my mind up that I would change my route. Phil had me following the WHW towards Fort William for five klicks and then cutting across and down to the forestry track that heads up Glen Nevis, to eventually camp across from Steall. This was a fair old schlep, and committed me to the entire distance, as I couldn't see a viable place to stop if I was feeling knackered beforehand. </div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJQOJSE0SI5uCm8jd-0UEApcfZiwLAByd25acIhaLgbbM-f_nVOskL08SGu29QeVrckLqgcxAfigYb0jRPRI80f6FoGgzJEHBP_eNTCiEtOe7URbdDbY-pyZ4E9FtJ1lBhRlXTTU4eqTw25ikNKAT2_1NxdsRi76LatbcquK54ArqgY0c0R4/s3970/20220515_143032.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2569" data-original-width="3970" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJQOJSE0SI5uCm8jd-0UEApcfZiwLAByd25acIhaLgbbM-f_nVOskL08SGu29QeVrckLqgcxAfigYb0jRPRI80f6FoGgzJEHBP_eNTCiEtOe7URbdDbY-pyZ4E9FtJ1lBhRlXTTU4eqTw25ikNKAT2_1NxdsRi76LatbcquK54ArqgY0c0R4/w640-h414/20220515_143032.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LAIRIGE MOIRE WITH THE MASSIVELY IMPRESSIVE STOB BAN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">So I decided to follow the WHW in the opposite direction - towards Kinlochleven. To give myself a similar distance to that planned for the next day, I could finish at the south end of Loch Eilde Mor and cut up along Loch Eilde Mor the next day to rejoin the route at Meanach Bothy. However, if I wanted to finish before then there were a few options open to me with good camping and water. This route also had the advantage of slightly less ascent and descent. Given my condition it seemed like a no-brainer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the next couple of hours I was walking against the masses all doing the WH Way. They were fortunate in that they had the wind at their backs whereas I was - for the third day in a row - walking into the teeth of a very cold quite strong wind, with the occasional rain shower thrown in for luck.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a good rest at the transmitter above Kinlochleven as there was a bench. I also had a phone signal, so I phoned Challenge Control for the first time and caught Sue moving Control from Newtonmore to the Park Hotel. The weather was now cheering up a little - no rain but still a very blustery wind.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkDXwg-w5W0VwmCZs0tHQpIhsRND0lBREFw8zM0PyJZdBIynomtbINIj3l_0Nzp7Nc6baj0xSPdUetzL-fJ8QIwS_Ar1F-BJhTFCjbqxApsJFfH4zGPoG3j0Z3VX8Vtb0jUioh8ZVrQ0CiNS2gdM5md4co3451VS5pYs8aS_HawPJIQj1SCE/s3609/20220515_170834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2982" data-original-width="3609" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkDXwg-w5W0VwmCZs0tHQpIhsRND0lBREFw8zM0PyJZdBIynomtbINIj3l_0Nzp7Nc6baj0xSPdUetzL-fJ8QIwS_Ar1F-BJhTFCjbqxApsJFfH4zGPoG3j0Z3VX8Vtb0jUioh8ZVrQ0CiNS2gdM5md4co3451VS5pYs8aS_HawPJIQj1SCE/w640-h528/20220515_170834.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOCH LEVEN, FROM THE TRANSMITTER BENCH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I called it a day around five, when I reached the sad remains of the once wonderful Mamore Lodge Hotel, perched directly above Kinlochleven. The pegs went in readily, which was as well, as it was quite an exposed spot. I've fond memories of the hotel, once meeting Mick Daniels and Diane Woofenden and having a few too many drinks with them (I blame Phil) before continuing on up to Loch Eilde Mor to camp quite late. Another time, on a PreWalkDaunder after the Foot & Mouth Outbreak, there was a shoe dip that Phil stepped into, not realising that it was a couple of feet deep and watching his leg disappear into a bath of chemicals. Well, I laughed.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There had been talk of the old place being refurbished, but then the pandemic came along and scuppered them. I do hope it can be saved.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY1JLhLYYClxqaQN4oy7g65tYqUyQnOaOTFkmGacTrCQ0auaxN6YbRAaJO5suuCasNE4nm5xvu5hX3JY7G5DlHOmmYrrWCHTjd0GlhiAZNv9ZwL2p2alp3sn2sRoM80ZsCEV3awlylSs_SsdpB9hPKo9UqeMvZaoQgXfrBktBWCph_0Ds9u8/s3735/20220515_183658.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3735" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY1JLhLYYClxqaQN4oy7g65tYqUyQnOaOTFkmGacTrCQ0auaxN6YbRAaJO5suuCasNE4nm5xvu5hX3JY7G5DlHOmmYrrWCHTjd0GlhiAZNv9ZwL2p2alp3sn2sRoM80ZsCEV3awlylSs_SsdpB9hPKo9UqeMvZaoQgXfrBktBWCph_0Ds9u8/w400-h321/20220515_183658.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CAMPED AT THE SAD REMAINS OF THE MAMORE LODGE HOTEL</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G8Iw2viFQWFVaMvqhC7i6eYU5JvqNJ96r11LSubsMd39Ep-MxEpf_BitSUHl2KJbjXo64pnZK3-WT5h_bGQ4WBMdm5vOBHgmwHR0nxohE4jfaRnn0w3ufF_q28eUEqpIVmq0ccN1wVn0i8XmJ7Ni9fMLqtZ6v5WEhuBUqaFjFRpu08C4B2Y/s3970/20220515_183742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2481" data-original-width="3970" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G8Iw2viFQWFVaMvqhC7i6eYU5JvqNJ96r11LSubsMd39Ep-MxEpf_BitSUHl2KJbjXo64pnZK3-WT5h_bGQ4WBMdm5vOBHgmwHR0nxohE4jfaRnn0w3ufF_q28eUEqpIVmq0ccN1wVn0i8XmJ7Ni9fMLqtZ6v5WEhuBUqaFjFRpu08C4B2Y/w640-h400/20220515_183742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUd2YhuHlU_zE0Cpn1GlVZ_vCAoqTkwSEQ3DJIe-jaaaUtVZ5lt5ZXosfdHiy4mM1LXdoLOaIN9tQxZ6ejpAL4vX1yekxYs7THzDpUF1BJW7qK7Fiv463BU_oRzHog-r9drXOB6LrOhmvSaXKmPyJPsq6dYNKkqgjDmLDSVVZiLkh0uStsTU/s3793/20220515_183821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2598" data-original-width="3793" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUd2YhuHlU_zE0Cpn1GlVZ_vCAoqTkwSEQ3DJIe-jaaaUtVZ5lt5ZXosfdHiy4mM1LXdoLOaIN9tQxZ6ejpAL4vX1yekxYs7THzDpUF1BJW7qK7Fiv463BU_oRzHog-r9drXOB6LrOhmvSaXKmPyJPsq6dYNKkqgjDmLDSVVZiLkh0uStsTU/w400-h274/20220515_183821.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWz7J4PvUJce9a43U6LgTbSqpVKIKk5BopxXOmNPb_exp7L9JmUvluGWyypEI7eYnQewLSbWRsLfz5zQNyAJxS0ert0MhQD8sTUDdbrEv_Gtqi9JwKiN9vN7M9MbY-MX0mtMOepc5BJJ2_rH7PJoYxTrKI-RQq1vL4n4eK-CQlhBDam9aeSY/s3684/20220515_185833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="3684" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWz7J4PvUJce9a43U6LgTbSqpVKIKk5BopxXOmNPb_exp7L9JmUvluGWyypEI7eYnQewLSbWRsLfz5zQNyAJxS0ert0MhQD8sTUDdbrEv_Gtqi9JwKiN9vN7M9MbY-MX0mtMOepc5BJJ2_rH7PJoYxTrKI-RQq1vL4n4eK-CQlhBDam9aeSY/w640-h486/20220515_185833.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Being within eyeshot of the transmitter my phone had a 4G signal and so I managed to waste a considerable part of the evening on FaceBook, sharing pictures to the TGO Challenge FaceBook group. There's one particular share that I'll reproduce here. My phone records how many steps I make each day. The last 30 days were illuminating as there were precious few steps each day from 15th April to the 12th May, and then a stratospheric change for the first three days of the walk.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3BDJIRkXkMH622-r3O7kJKWEM0upAGzLUATFtbZNQy3psMmcXmS4KbHtjcfthSbdSJ9ueseGnNS2WTGtbLPmMCX8HTWs6uH9UUnfJGt3ykd7Vyaj8cZcsWtzmtCWk4QT604rXkMqbEuFt8WPSWMxjJi5H_EzsL-AVI7-M0ONZ7AVnpmy9b4/s1991/original_0418075b-ffaa-4dd8-8518-a4935050b88d_Screenshot_20220515-193558_Samsung%2520Health.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3BDJIRkXkMH622-r3O7kJKWEM0upAGzLUATFtbZNQy3psMmcXmS4KbHtjcfthSbdSJ9ueseGnNS2WTGtbLPmMCX8HTWs6uH9UUnfJGt3ykd7Vyaj8cZcsWtzmtCWk4QT604rXkMqbEuFt8WPSWMxjJi5H_EzsL-AVI7-M0ONZ7AVnpmy9b4/w348-h640/original_0418075b-ffaa-4dd8-8518-a4935050b88d_Screenshot_20220515-193558_Samsung%2520Health.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DAILY STEP COUNT FOR THE MONTH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The next shot shows the steps taken today, together with an estimated distance walked which seems to be surprisingly accurate. Each column represents half an hour's walking, so you can see clearly when I took rests.</div><br /><a aria-label="Photo – Portrait – 18 May 2022, 18:58:12" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMmRP-S-ddU2okstxi4NzDtVYTJGFGguvWdf2Zb/photo/AF1QipPxmUqr7MMtHZcVMMSkjnjQKc1J5BW8ZHfYYhDE" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;nte41d:mhE3Te;JKU4Dd:YQTjB;GSfVid:gFt3hb;" tabindex="0"><div class="RY3tic" data-latest-bg="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V40Qm7TPIIk7eEEqYbEm8fQicdlKtiqr3smNkgf7bNcGli5Q6bby_2DBPRI4J9aUueDeVxW_E5JCbdJfvwn9PijdWgqiVCiz9u0SNw2ON1Q6qN1mlp0OmF001szoA0me9gEVLbfIqha4qV-vvCCOnFthfaV6SM81Sk7EplMzrfJ0DP1HQ9dFQypgS0Gz3uPyaRKSoTddtEoXVQU-5i_Vbnfv47aVrgF47oF8Yiju5oYSzyxzpGOXFjiY2_pBBO69VTLsqNmuM2oV7_LNGOkmPlwSrEqoOSCUOKn9ViLnZ9f-vc0cMYVY9SmM3rlcOAxQt7c1vEIIFtMJLPVqLWbBhHyNgnGlka4sez74qyIdMj1XyIVKd3qJ5RfQBT38tNZxVS4BFP695xYNwlPbCRwEeCpe6ge6wnMhhxC9b1_F176_h7BzL0hR69_cVESNqN3sycXVOe_akYu4lWPf3frH113tRg0t1lFz9zdVfI0QkywI1FLv0JGlondSN1rLi-I1SiwM2sDi70bHFTgRrhy_bNw0KCsI9Lo-DkbiHZu7Px4TF8NVOhp3Ip30dFmhOK6pZaYRKESltu2R0Wrm4Yn54sKK-5cd-Db00MzU2MwzUogMHOsR53ZxtCXBTn31culeapELZ44NETfxxRVzpOMGFvSamJz2QxGZI7vNnhQzL7INe13ATMFuPKLpDHHUkG2dAHN10s3W2ikRMr26h7j6WhLvk17cle_YwVs_GxUKEeWyvB9lysCdbyyJqBXzQhtvjueoCszeOPBvSNUyQ7W0FSj_KNmn3g41UPHAywbvcuLPEqs_2BaiZfIBli_2bc4jcAQ=w273-h300-no?authuser=0" style="background-image: url("https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V40Qm7TPIIk7eEEqYbEm8fQicdlKtiqr3smNkgf7bNcGli5Q6bby_2DBPRI4J9aUueDeVxW_E5JCbdJfvwn9PijdWgqiVCiz9u0SNw2ON1Q6qN1mlp0OmF001szoA0me9gEVLbfIqha4qV-vvCCOnFthfaV6SM81Sk7EplMzrfJ0DP1HQ9dFQypgS0Gz3uPyaRKSoTddtEoXVQU-5i_Vbnfv47aVrgF47oF8Yiju5oYSzyxzpGOXFjiY2_pBBO69VTLsqNmuM2oV7_LNGOkmPlwSrEqoOSCUOKn9ViLnZ9f-vc0cMYVY9SmM3rlcOAxQt7c1vEIIFtMJLPVqLWbBhHyNgnGlka4sez74qyIdMj1XyIVKd3qJ5RfQBT38tNZxVS4BFP695xYNwlPbCRwEeCpe6ge6wnMhhxC9b1_F176_h7BzL0hR69_cVESNqN3sycXVOe_akYu4lWPf3frH113tRg0t1lFz9zdVfI0QkywI1FLv0JGlondSN1rLi-I1SiwM2sDi70bHFTgRrhy_bNw0KCsI9Lo-DkbiHZu7Px4TF8NVOhp3Ip30dFmhOK6pZaYRKESltu2R0Wrm4Yn54sKK-5cd-Db00MzU2MwzUogMHOsR53ZxtCXBTn31culeapELZ44NETfxxRVzpOMGFvSamJz2QxGZI7vNnhQzL7INe13ATMFuPKLpDHHUkG2dAHN10s3W2ikRMr26h7j6WhLvk17cle_YwVs_GxUKEeWyvB9lysCdbyyJqBXzQhtvjueoCszeOPBvSNUyQ7W0FSj_KNmn3g41UPHAywbvcuLPEqs_2BaiZfIBli_2bc4jcAQ=w273-h300-no?authuser=0"), url("https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V40Qm7TPIIk7eEEqYbEm8fQicdlKtiqr3smNkgf7bNcGli5Q6bby_2DBPRI4J9aUueDeVxW_E5JCbdJfvwn9PijdWgqiVCiz9u0SNw2ON1Q6qN1mlp0OmF001szoA0me9gEVLbfIqha4qV-vvCCOnFthfaV6SM81Sk7EplMzrfJ0DP1HQ9dFQypgS0Gz3uPyaRKSoTddtEoXVQU-5i_Vbnfv47aVrgF47oF8Yiju5oYSzyxzpGOXFjiY2_pBBO69VTLsqNmuM2oV7_LNGOkmPlwSrEqoOSCUOKn9ViLnZ9f-vc0cMYVY9SmM3rlcOAxQt7c1vEIIFtMJLPVqLWbBhHyNgnGlka4sez74qyIdMj1XyIVKd3qJ5RfQBT38tNZxVS4BFP695xYNwlPbCRwEeCpe6ge6wnMhhxC9b1_F176_h7BzL0hR69_cVESNqN3sycXVOe_akYu4lWPf3frH113tRg0t1lFz9zdVfI0QkywI1FLv0JGlondSN1rLi-I1SiwM2sDi70bHFTgRrhy_bNw0KCsI9Lo-DkbiHZu7Px4TF8NVOhp3Ip30dFmhOK6pZaYRKESltu2R0Wrm4Yn54sKK-5cd-Db00MzU2MwzUogMHOsR53ZxtCXBTn31culeapELZ44NETfxxRVzpOMGFvSamJz2QxGZI7vNnhQzL7INe13ATMFuPKLpDHHUkG2dAHN10s3W2ikRMr26h7j6WhLvk17cle_YwVs_GxUKEeWyvB9lysCdbyyJqBXzQhtvjueoCszeOPBvSNUyQ7W0FSj_KNmn3g41UPHAywbvcuLPEqs_2BaiZfIBli_2bc4jcAQ=w319-h351-no?authuser=0"); opacity: 1;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eGiHwc"></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="KYCEmd"></div></div></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkWVBVDGcf-sXa87dpErEMPyFjmXrSMS_I6Me5LpgSC0qzEtzlP9vMPXh-tY0buDx9Z9izm98CcCaHDXuSMwHRVL1gdY-xlHH1j0JKUKOXoEB9C4DU56r8ZGRG-u-xGGf8i7TCeXjEwRvRRHLc048BfkChj6iIJO_jRJVo8VrsYLFjvxHRyM4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkWVBVDGcf-sXa87dpErEMPyFjmXrSMS_I6Me5LpgSC0qzEtzlP9vMPXh-tY0buDx9Z9izm98CcCaHDXuSMwHRVL1gdY-xlHH1j0JKUKOXoEB9C4DU56r8ZGRG-u-xGGf8i7TCeXjEwRvRRHLc048BfkChj6iIJO_jRJVo8VrsYLFjvxHRyM4=w363-h400" width="363" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TODAY'S STEPS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was fast asleep reasonably early. The last I remember was the wind getting up with a few stiff showers, which sound like gravel being hurled against a Cuben fibre flysheet. Natalie Notch was given a good shake but happily she didn't flinch in the slightest. She's a keeper.</div><br /><br />Here's a blast from the past. It's still a favourite of mine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="529" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fXZyDtzDJMY" width="636" youtube-src-id="fXZyDtzDJMY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-251327859207645022022-06-08T20:15:00.004+01:002022-06-09T08:51:31.770+01:00TGO Challenge 2022, Day 2: Glen Hurich to Corran<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFPKWuIe466oxqk8a8Cwc9vTZqaXmuZVOSkTXPsEnJyvhUA2ERcvWSpwtYu6AFjkiFwsQ7ndtqqfu6NEz2JfESiXiW2RzWV0HuWQbb9-zcNtyrbVYDLE1-EOir45LAio4EYYUMlX8qYZea6a25q4sjuBw7ZgiDaAkydvLGUlXc26QdshRCoQ/s1152/Screenshot%202022-06-08%20162926.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1152" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFPKWuIe466oxqk8a8Cwc9vTZqaXmuZVOSkTXPsEnJyvhUA2ERcvWSpwtYu6AFjkiFwsQ7ndtqqfu6NEz2JfESiXiW2RzWV0HuWQbb9-zcNtyrbVYDLE1-EOir45LAio4EYYUMlX8qYZea6a25q4sjuBw7ZgiDaAkydvLGUlXc26QdshRCoQ/w640-h436/Screenshot%202022-06-08%20162926.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DAY 2: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Distance: 23 km</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ascent: 330 m </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Any reasonable person looking at that map, along with the distance and the ascent figures, would think to themselves that they would knock this off fairly comfortably and be in the Inn at Ardgour in time for a couple of pints before heading upstairs to sort out the washing and still be in plenty of time for dinner. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">There are occasions where I consider myself that reasonable man, and setting off before eight o'clock with a pale blue sky and sight of the ragged ridges, all was well with the world. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9rDmoLqNkG3682j2w2DehdbavYu-aWpvMMLeet4eNXSG64a_xkLgcFnizlFH87UsgS3ihJwGSCME3WQaYKordxhvDCp96ta2ZB8xydc7C1BDSarxNrqIl1vsrhHqkvw3WStdzjVZ6t5SyHEBti1SrZFG3kv8l3C5KKE9yahy_uT15fcluSI/s3978/20220514_082607.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3978" data-original-width="2983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9rDmoLqNkG3682j2w2DehdbavYu-aWpvMMLeet4eNXSG64a_xkLgcFnizlFH87UsgS3ihJwGSCME3WQaYKordxhvDCp96ta2ZB8xydc7C1BDSarxNrqIl1vsrhHqkvw3WStdzjVZ6t5SyHEBti1SrZFG3kv8l3C5KKE9yahy_uT15fcluSI/w480-h640/20220514_082607.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">FLATTENED GRASSES AND SOARING RIDGELINES</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the first half mile I picked my way along the side of the stream and noted that there were one or two absolutely delightful camp spots in the broader section of the glen as the plantation thins out. It's lovely soft walking and the sun shone, which helped a lot as the wind was cold. There's something of a stile at the deer fence. I remember an undignified clamber after I had first dropped my pack over the fence and it landing with a very deep '<b><i>spludge</i></b>.' The ground, after a week or so of constant rain was saturated and for every step I was mightily relieved I had given the boots a decent dosing of Nikwax as the watery mud mix came over the forefoot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There's a little climb up to the outflow of Lochan Dubh - I wonder how many Lochan Dubhs there are in Scotland - and the wind hits me full on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsOMB0Ur6n1LjYvLNYdhctu2ILJGma9ZSjIGcZn_fTfDyMzklg6ccmZlTnJR3wRsLgq9WkWdLTmNIgORqbP4a5NeilquuLxFEW_1N0NGVmO1c4xzeTLfUzxWUJeSjwLmfCYHyzHHQ8i9cFVlnzLIvGhQ2feBdtvl-iLnZ5PYAECEXGyT3kdw/s4032/20220514_091113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsOMB0Ur6n1LjYvLNYdhctu2ILJGma9ZSjIGcZn_fTfDyMzklg6ccmZlTnJR3wRsLgq9WkWdLTmNIgORqbP4a5NeilquuLxFEW_1N0NGVmO1c4xzeTLfUzxWUJeSjwLmfCYHyzHHQ8i9cFVlnzLIvGhQ2feBdtvl-iLnZ5PYAECEXGyT3kdw/w640-h480/20220514_091113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOCHAN DUBH OUTFLOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_cS6cOVIjR-7nqajFH-5BfkRAyyxIFBt7Ch3c-zkQG2s4UtaJVdu0UDB2qFBE8ZdqurPmJXocBrsmpK51CvAWBp_XHNh8rZURj6UC0_Pqny0xXatg3EeqYpS_B8JlLe69VNT0XOFx4RWuwZJ1XMaaqqvYc6FHXzh3T-7bWEDCjAXffjOvhE/s3918/20220514_091402.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="3918" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_cS6cOVIjR-7nqajFH-5BfkRAyyxIFBt7Ch3c-zkQG2s4UtaJVdu0UDB2qFBE8ZdqurPmJXocBrsmpK51CvAWBp_XHNh8rZURj6UC0_Pqny0xXatg3EeqYpS_B8JlLe69VNT0XOFx4RWuwZJ1XMaaqqvYc6FHXzh3T-7bWEDCjAXffjOvhE/w640-h480/20220514_091402.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOCHAN DUBH OUTFLOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T75WDLDqdOB58csMydK8Ev8yn7gChqz9ooa37hZKf_yoCr8UmpjQMCYFyiPn3iLjEk7Hjkh4D4zex9abgO7kpWVwdhteJknzXrOR88vYNsIXwPAGGxoENKlpaHFgpx0sRALPguOkmyQnVWMBb6J8WW1QfhKSXmxjzGiXkvRyKJ5HHzj-Qrg/s4032/20220514_091521.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="4032" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T75WDLDqdOB58csMydK8Ev8yn7gChqz9ooa37hZKf_yoCr8UmpjQMCYFyiPn3iLjEk7Hjkh4D4zex9abgO7kpWVwdhteJknzXrOR88vYNsIXwPAGGxoENKlpaHFgpx0sRALPguOkmyQnVWMBb6J8WW1QfhKSXmxjzGiXkvRyKJ5HHzj-Qrg/w640-h440/20220514_091521.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOCHAN DUBH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">At this point the work starts. Now then: The reasonable man had not taken into account that he had done no training walks whatsoever since emptying his pack after last year's TGO Challenge, that he had had three bouts of surgery in the last seven weeks - one with a major abdominal slash over a foot long - and that his perfectly formed ever so slightly muscled legs (things of beauty!) had virtually wasted away. The blood count - the stuff that takes the oxygen around to feed your non-existent muscles - was also a tad on the low side. The upshot of this tale of medical woe is that I am running on a 50cc moped engine rather than my beautiful three litre Mercedes diesel, that normally grinds out the miles with the rev counter barely troubled.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaMxv4HYor-50x0iiAvfr-UutgOW99T_M3uAn9NaEMvnFfg-3G7YCTK5m19nb8rfZtZvmh1uK1Km6tzFleIrodkUHfzQGyrh-kqcsPvxHjOXPXT6sTlRTUOAp7t7lPhucGOIXxJKhWUtpXsooZ-MCDaj-4Q8Y2uKL9YGbkJtgad0rrg1zltY/s4032/20220514_092328.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaMxv4HYor-50x0iiAvfr-UutgOW99T_M3uAn9NaEMvnFfg-3G7YCTK5m19nb8rfZtZvmh1uK1Km6tzFleIrodkUHfzQGyrh-kqcsPvxHjOXPXT6sTlRTUOAp7t7lPhucGOIXxJKhWUtpXsooZ-MCDaj-4Q8Y2uKL9YGbkJtgad0rrg1zltY/w480-h640/20220514_092328.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PERHAPS THE START OF THE FICTITIOUS PATH DRAWN BY A WORK EXPERIENCE STUDENT AFTER A GOOD LUNCH IN THE PUB?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can tell prospective walkers of this lonely route that there are occasional traces of a path over the next four kilometres. The Ordnance Survey, who I'm sure have not visited this glen in the last fifty years, would have you believe in one. When you do believe you have found this mythical trod it lasts no longer than a hundred yards, and then the bad fairies steal it away again. In an attempt to follow the route I push my lifeless legs up the saturated hillside with slippery cobbles and boot-sucking peaty gloop. This is warm work. My body is running hot and my hands gripping my poles are numb with cold. My nose seems to be dripping continuously. I'm not happy, but somewhere deep inside this rabid old frame there's still that little flame of resolve, not yet completely extinguished.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0krfjvEmVWT-PHb_967J_FJ4-JgLwxQ_LiUTk6IUFErIINBZphN4_iZmpoSt7k1DEtGYccCgPpX5FkfSmZH4NXUIw9b-OhuOnQMHKtKz9TIlMDtpgqdsDp1aGTWA3SQmih2i48XhGz3P4_jdT2IBkAJ4axnwbgYCpa6FINS5USE6Te66O1So/s4032/20220514_100655.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="4032" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0krfjvEmVWT-PHb_967J_FJ4-JgLwxQ_LiUTk6IUFErIINBZphN4_iZmpoSt7k1DEtGYccCgPpX5FkfSmZH4NXUIw9b-OhuOnQMHKtKz9TIlMDtpgqdsDp1aGTWA3SQmih2i48XhGz3P4_jdT2IBkAJ4axnwbgYCpa6FINS5USE6Te66O1So/w640-h458/20220514_100655.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING BACK TO GLEN HURICH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally I'm on a downward trajectory heading into Gleann an Lochain Duibh. Quite how the Ordnance Survey have constructed 'Lochain Duibh' from Lochan Dubh I do not know. Perhaps there was a fight over it down in Southampton and they agreed to a score draw, each of the protagonists having their own version put into print. This shit happens constantly on O.S. Scottish mapping. I shall volunteer my dispute resolution service to them free of charge. On second thoughts, all they need do is supply a good lunch with a decent bottle. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRj-9Nu4MQzqsXn2s1ya8SsmWoWpAbBJHIjqFhhSl21j4-RZ-40_9UzzxO3lfCjtXd1i0NoeD7PIypOgI7-Q_CgKD6kWXcZBko3j2J4zY_vwqJ2yqxkuU63mifbOL69iIctvxEFHJjMFVexCoUhzuS01uKrKGpBhBRHsFIoKUp9pl_z1i74M/s4032/20220514_113412.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="4032" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRj-9Nu4MQzqsXn2s1ya8SsmWoWpAbBJHIjqFhhSl21j4-RZ-40_9UzzxO3lfCjtXd1i0NoeD7PIypOgI7-Q_CgKD6kWXcZBko3j2J4zY_vwqJ2yqxkuU63mifbOL69iIctvxEFHJjMFVexCoUhzuS01uKrKGpBhBRHsFIoKUp9pl_z1i74M/w640-h416/20220514_113412.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING DOWN GLEANN AN LOCHAIN DUIBH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9F5k-B4SFY6AJky20xpmHYmbdCxKW29BIdPwqejkYIOP9uvKysUNuPE7UsjkxTijGyybXlQD31pNQ3-v8oSFhCTn3R3fhXbHwGT-2uVypg5fk9d4NgioIu4QTwOR89jSyCQ6KSVOKINuXXk_jhaIpkrOc3BST94_aaRdtry6ER8ANWuNFAo/s3877/20220514_113751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2479" data-original-width="3877" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9F5k-B4SFY6AJky20xpmHYmbdCxKW29BIdPwqejkYIOP9uvKysUNuPE7UsjkxTijGyybXlQD31pNQ3-v8oSFhCTn3R3fhXbHwGT-2uVypg5fk9d4NgioIu4QTwOR89jSyCQ6KSVOKINuXXk_jhaIpkrOc3BST94_aaRdtry6ER8ANWuNFAo/w640-h410/20220514_113751.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">HALLELUJAH! A PATH APPEARS JUST BEFORE THE BRIDGE TO GLEANN NA CLOICHE SGOILTE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">By the time I arrive at the start of the actual path on the ground that does not disappear, I'm pretty well shot through. It dawns on me that the sleepless night spent in my B&B at Salen before the start of the Challenge, worrying about how I'd cope, was pretty much accurate. Of course, I did cope, but there were times, I can tell you.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl691BLl7h-bKw-i7YO7BOzs217zWyTOgW0I09UX1ECXA8czhrMnNXgNMpqHOqNRejl02P5DRILxVVeVFEnDpH8y8c2hywfvBNzUfdf28YXabXrU1ksEuaq4WORN6_Vv7Edd8N_E1MKYcmYXaigoo3K35cYm-P1goUy7Am4RhdpDnu5-qd5QI/s3845/20220514_114319.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3845" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl691BLl7h-bKw-i7YO7BOzs217zWyTOgW0I09UX1ECXA8czhrMnNXgNMpqHOqNRejl02P5DRILxVVeVFEnDpH8y8c2hywfvBNzUfdf28YXabXrU1ksEuaq4WORN6_Vv7Edd8N_E1MKYcmYXaigoo3K35cYm-P1goUy7Am4RhdpDnu5-qd5QI/w640-h412/20220514_114319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE SHAPELY HILLS TO THE SOUTH OF GLEANN NA CLOICHE SGOILTE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZGfFkuQN-bw_D3LnW_hAXm-2wAfeOVhL1A5hpqGuyusWx7Bw7qKGyReltYAHPmK7d_VwqmtZMLHFDL9ySEsEaWA-YTkkdt4ScmI-sgkvFKIh8ThpeEUYWYVCfbTyiO4UFmLdei6WOdmwuF5-a7LrfFXzXB-opyVVp3mGTMRZlVSyylgmEds/s3926/20220514_114837.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="3926" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZGfFkuQN-bw_D3LnW_hAXm-2wAfeOVhL1A5hpqGuyusWx7Bw7qKGyReltYAHPmK7d_VwqmtZMLHFDL9ySEsEaWA-YTkkdt4ScmI-sgkvFKIh8ThpeEUYWYVCfbTyiO4UFmLdei6WOdmwuF5-a7LrfFXzXB-opyVVp3mGTMRZlVSyylgmEds/w640-h480/20220514_114837.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE BRIDGE OVER THE ABHAINN GHLEANN LOCHAN DUIBH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Just for fun, those boys at Ordnance Survey have chucked in a third spelling variation: 'Lochan Duibh', this one found on the 1:25k mapping. There were obviously three in the lively discussion, plus of course the drunk work experience student who drafted the path. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyQgm6aiYL-dEmBsIIcZS5vwCucrpOTodKSADYPWp2kANBMbfc0N4GQbrOAOrzO6qP5fdE9qf50oJEFiYYVyrFo58guH762CZ_uhPdxcqz2XcZ87z2SHGSX1DoJcL2uVgc7uQWw/s3978/20220514_115321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="3978" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyQgm6aiYL-dEmBsIIcZS5vwCucrpOTodKSADYPWp2kANBMbfc0N4GQbrOAOrzO6qP5fdE9qf50oJEFiYYVyrFo58guH762CZ_uhPdxcqz2XcZ87z2SHGSX1DoJcL2uVgc7uQWw/w640-h420/20220514_115321.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">GLEN SCADDLE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the confluence of the Abhainn Ghleann Lochan Duibh - whichever spelling you prefer - and the Allt Gleann na Cloiche Sgoilte which merges with the Abhainn Ghleann Mhic Phail, you enter Glen Scaddle. There's no mucking about with Glen Scaddle; whichever map you peruse, that's how it's spelt. Glen Scaddle has to be one hard bastard, as not even the lads at Southampton fool with it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At this confluence the path actually becomes a track, another point missed by the post pub lunch lads. It is delightful walking on grassy soft earth with quite a few flooded bits where the Estate has given up any form of track maintenance - as they've gloriously overspent the budget further down the glen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOyLpNVJz3rF2FARjFoFLSdjUUf16ncvgyu7UcfxEV4OnwqGo8P6DrIHW6MetfYgkV7UKp04N2qPZwOU8M9_tRrtFVQ83Mjjcyj7UIeu7MK1GV52Wh5_AjChDbH3FDugoeBwdt8mmL-Mgi3KLDfUTTHkm1hr2DPvWQfgs9Y_hw0DiMnXh7xI/s4024/20220514_125114.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2954" data-original-width="4024" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOyLpNVJz3rF2FARjFoFLSdjUUf16ncvgyu7UcfxEV4OnwqGo8P6DrIHW6MetfYgkV7UKp04N2qPZwOU8M9_tRrtFVQ83Mjjcyj7UIeu7MK1GV52Wh5_AjChDbH3FDugoeBwdt8mmL-Mgi3KLDfUTTHkm1hr2DPvWQfgs9Y_hw0DiMnXh7xI/w640-h470/20220514_125114.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING BACK TO UNFRIENDLY TIGHNACOMAIRE AND ALL THE WAY TO GLEN HURICH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a lazy rest on the front step of Tighnacomaire under the covered porch - if you blow the above picture up you'll see the porch (Right Click on each picture to open them in a new blow-upable- window) - to try and eat and drink to restore some sort of energy level; I'd take any level going!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just a quick observation; That last sentence has <b><i>*way*</i></b> too much punctuation for any sane reader to make head nor tail of it. This blog badly needs an editor wot is good with Her Madge's Inglish. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I mentioned that Tighnacomaire is unfriendly. They have a large sign discouraging any loitering in its whereabouts and directing rain soaked wind bashed walkers to a bit of a parlous ruin just ten minutes up the glen. There was no one at home, and from the its appearance no one had stayed there for some time.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCcQMFU4F0TxZXm2Ux9Rojalp14C587Lmg9ViQMWZF1x-F-ckXwM3ltcDm3ncnuobeQoZYDLYOgtIRuq7FdPNJZTjQqxmA4XY8nGL4bTKZxmttaTdrf4Z7P6PIEeugrUkZKR_dN_tNfGKBHI2hwQGXijVSdO94xp12gZ7gKFfCdiKaCDMXKU/s3539/20220514_130819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3539" data-original-width="2777" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCcQMFU4F0TxZXm2Ux9Rojalp14C587Lmg9ViQMWZF1x-F-ckXwM3ltcDm3ncnuobeQoZYDLYOgtIRuq7FdPNJZTjQqxmA4XY8nGL4bTKZxmttaTdrf4Z7P6PIEeugrUkZKR_dN_tNfGKBHI2hwQGXijVSdO94xp12gZ7gKFfCdiKaCDMXKU/w502-h640/20220514_130819.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A PRETTY LITTLE GUSHY GORGE TO DELIGHT THE SOUL.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumEBmvkil2J4UmrfxFXhtfT6m7ANKE79AzbGbVfLAfHhvxzsL8AgL6GGxMAafA-AY624S2ou47hq8hzaFaG7fECzVFHicgPluUn78ltMN-X0IDgBhlwIhUxEDO3dznXDowTRmELM0SYAookg4cvOB6nGeYD7QerCR-tAl5RUVVAgkTpD0Png/s3288/20220514_131133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="3288" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumEBmvkil2J4UmrfxFXhtfT6m7ANKE79AzbGbVfLAfHhvxzsL8AgL6GGxMAafA-AY624S2ou47hq8hzaFaG7fECzVFHicgPluUn78ltMN-X0IDgBhlwIhUxEDO3dznXDowTRmELM0SYAookg4cvOB6nGeYD7QerCR-tAl5RUVVAgkTpD0Png/w640-h484/20220514_131133.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE BRIDGE AT EASTING 945, LOOKING BACK UP THE GLEN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">If you now look at the map at the start of this piece (You'll have it opened already in a new window at a super size, no doubt, as I suggested) you'll see that at this bridge a footpath is shown on the north side of the River Scaddle, and that is the path that Lord Elpus had decided upon. Of course, it does not exist as unsurprisingly any driver with any sense will have taken the very well made forestry track which goes up quite a way into the planted forest to rejoin the river four klicks down the glen rather than the boggy unmaintained affair with over a dozen side streams to negotiate. So that's the way I went too, which added a not inconsiderate amount of staggering uphill and down dale, and then back up again, which is the way of a track used by vehicles with large engines and grippy off-road tyres.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You should also note that the path shown south of the river does not exist either, I would imagine for the same reason as already suggested.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq9QXd-ZIjCWeoZxNduy-47jXbkXZ9cc7lv5zKQ9Muxm17SMDNaDopP1U-Bxr7zBA4ieF14M3sBQasGyb0S9JnxXKJ9SrDSdLf460zoqJzozDnIVuXTHywihhyLkILRWffNfL1rvO5OhPsXdd8A554uCLPxYOM3YxlQcX-2QzE56YWQ7WLOI/s3704/20220514_135607.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="3704" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq9QXd-ZIjCWeoZxNduy-47jXbkXZ9cc7lv5zKQ9Muxm17SMDNaDopP1U-Bxr7zBA4ieF14M3sBQasGyb0S9JnxXKJ9SrDSdLf460zoqJzozDnIVuXTHywihhyLkILRWffNfL1rvO5OhPsXdd8A554uCLPxYOM3YxlQcX-2QzE56YWQ7WLOI/w640-h422/20220514_135607.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE GORGEOUS VIEW BACK ALL THE WAY TO GLEN HURICH, AFTER LEAVING THE FORESTRY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having taken the forestry track I was pretty pleased to be presented with the view all the way back to Glen Hurich as I left the confines of the trees to drop back down to the river. It's an ill wind.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlvQacd3fGp9ZxDn6PZWAhc2HJBbCKb-ulF-VN-VuKTsYkpnbhZAzSjHKqVs8GtC1wVKLGJFwYXs8WeDmP8N1sub7HVWHdXxg3LeRn02Mad0hafnI6KmncBoyaRtNv4xZOE41bWg_J2Vh4dEijMK42sK693BBi8g3bf2urnzpB1u79tcn3iE/s3809/20220514_144650.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2265" data-original-width="3809" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlvQacd3fGp9ZxDn6PZWAhc2HJBbCKb-ulF-VN-VuKTsYkpnbhZAzSjHKqVs8GtC1wVKLGJFwYXs8WeDmP8N1sub7HVWHdXxg3LeRn02Mad0hafnI6KmncBoyaRtNv4xZOE41bWg_J2Vh4dEijMK42sK693BBi8g3bf2urnzpB1u79tcn3iE/w640-h380/20220514_144650.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE FOOTBRIDGE OPPOSITE CREAGBHEITHEACHAIN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Resting to try and eat some snacks and take on some water, I had a poke about at the footbridge. I'd suggest one at a time. The picture below shows the next stage of the walk down Glen Scaddle. Someone has spent the entire road building budget for the Estate for the next few years on this section. It's two vehicles wide, and built almost to highways specification, the only thing missing is the blacktop. It's as good as any wind farm highway. Of course, there's a reason for it: Timber extraction. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBYpiJv8U5X7ZbfLB3GGVf1SluQ1HVjR3GJFhHjV3xZbC2UwUYW6_IRLOh_ANsTMOQhcJLqD35ETcK9XFE3ZEkkaBOjPvSQc093ezUni2wvOf6pN_lJoB6IddE6Nhz4Mb3UcA1giX0qXy-7mTqncQqU_D3P-kNc3OswPqMGmtmWX55NCulq0/s3867/20220514_150156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="3867" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBYpiJv8U5X7ZbfLB3GGVf1SluQ1HVjR3GJFhHjV3xZbC2UwUYW6_IRLOh_ANsTMOQhcJLqD35ETcK9XFE3ZEkkaBOjPvSQc093ezUni2wvOf6pN_lJoB6IddE6Nhz4Mb3UcA1giX0qXy-7mTqncQqU_D3P-kNc3OswPqMGmtmWX55NCulq0/w640-h424/20220514_150156.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TRACK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcotZcrWImOErd2eqxrjMIT-HK46gVoeL8EQeoi0LwYNh_bfqnRFFMUTOMSJXHvod4Io7MOoewlulRoXqHqQlDioUfHZ3n5p9wEKPj6ODCVxmhJ_57GYLQSx-UGtzi27vm3t1c9Bzw1NC613TD_xVK05SADU8f2UjEADiR70AlaRb4UbXP6o0/s4032/20220514_151442.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcotZcrWImOErd2eqxrjMIT-HK46gVoeL8EQeoi0LwYNh_bfqnRFFMUTOMSJXHvod4Io7MOoewlulRoXqHqQlDioUfHZ3n5p9wEKPj6ODCVxmhJ_57GYLQSx-UGtzi27vm3t1c9Bzw1NC613TD_xVK05SADU8f2UjEADiR70AlaRb4UbXP6o0/w640-h480/20220514_151442.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE TRACK, SHOWING TIMBER EXTRACTION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's a thing. I've never seen so much timber extraction as I did this year across the whole of Scotland. Other Challengers have mentioned it in their reports as well. I can't fathom out why, unless Drax Power Station's insatiable appetite for biomass is now harvesting commercial timber forests? Green energy? My arse!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This very rough track is very hard on the soles of my feet after the graunching they suffered along Lochan Dubh and beyond.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp4oeW4pjN-ffdMXrKVBptKHtkjdC0kscRYjZTBH-FnEx6MhyuJYkO6VdA48_sSEUZOsdvspIVqZQVMkPhoFPZ2FOtDvPviO1LvtjNk24RPKOyhFLuten99yO_Vlep_rhrKGvwor4N4Wk1I5tCzKFnsoX9ZryApZhtpCPw5DMGTi3pm7VctQ/s4032/20220514_153819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2333" data-original-width="4032" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp4oeW4pjN-ffdMXrKVBptKHtkjdC0kscRYjZTBH-FnEx6MhyuJYkO6VdA48_sSEUZOsdvspIVqZQVMkPhoFPZ2FOtDvPviO1LvtjNk24RPKOyhFLuten99yO_Vlep_rhrKGvwor4N4Wk1I5tCzKFnsoX9ZryApZhtpCPw5DMGTi3pm7VctQ/w640-h370/20220514_153819.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A WELL CONSTRUCTED ESTATE BRIDGE LEADING APPARENTLY TO NOWHERE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Finally I make the public road, the A861, which is a gloriously quiet single track strip of tarmac that heads for the Corran Ferry and my hotel for the night, the Inn at Ardgour. I slump at the roadside and try some honey roasted peanuts and jelly babies with the last of the filtered water - around 250 ml, which is nowhere near enough as I'm really thirsty. Its half four when I set off to walk the 6km to the pub. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCQk9_8Fre96chLCqBlhFbMThemja3hA4ZyUD8z1EydzK1jW9GWh1mbZ_GYiRynGW_iIeAGDH5-VN--u1hb4GvBJgH5UsatOT9BKkLIHSBlqmcdQBhWIrBebC7Wgc-5zJbMvJAvHlH9A0uaQsvv53eRSBs_XkYTtndX6n9r6shstazan1Qwc/s4032/20220514_162807.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="4032" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCQk9_8Fre96chLCqBlhFbMThemja3hA4ZyUD8z1EydzK1jW9GWh1mbZ_GYiRynGW_iIeAGDH5-VN--u1hb4GvBJgH5UsatOT9BKkLIHSBlqmcdQBhWIrBebC7Wgc-5zJbMvJAvHlH9A0uaQsvv53eRSBs_XkYTtndX6n9r6shstazan1Qwc/w640-h448/20220514_162807.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">BEN NEVIS, AND SALT MARSH ALONGSIDE THE A861 AND LOCH LINNHE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1TO5JsM1iTmZNXHjpGjVQxaFq_uncWih_lmxXDKEuBMH9OTxVK7YigmWphgSnF3AVXToC_lOGEYzB59CTKRtNXXeLCGGGao9CbCTl1O9yjrzjfTnhFccsPiJ6V-Tjb0p5hVQ3kvwN22x0W1NztWyjJu4P5oElUSB2xAwxaH6ZeBCHly4PTQ/s3494/20220514_163128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3494" data-original-width="2917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1TO5JsM1iTmZNXHjpGjVQxaFq_uncWih_lmxXDKEuBMH9OTxVK7YigmWphgSnF3AVXToC_lOGEYzB59CTKRtNXXeLCGGGao9CbCTl1O9yjrzjfTnhFccsPiJ6V-Tjb0p5hVQ3kvwN22x0W1NztWyjJu4P5oElUSB2xAwxaH6ZeBCHly4PTQ/w534-h640/20220514_163128.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">SALT MARSH MUTTON AND LAMB: 1</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm distracted by an unfolding incident. There's a mother and baby lamb on the salt marsh and the tide is creeping in, ever so slowly, fractions even, and the daft pair don't appear to notice their predicament.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5NOmzDQlY_wcW-EurDFZZfmZUdrvJaOshF36AtkrOBw-jW2jNyvc_Ecj7KKIndqByXzonpa364c9Iu3dbRQujvGXmvrxstHIBMO_aqB0UtxGK3HMomMN3g88QYN-vu2XjcdfrPNG57kSeFoCSSFbetkmEjeozATAekSsQdjqJJF1gTJVY7o/s3889/20220514_163146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="3889" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5NOmzDQlY_wcW-EurDFZZfmZUdrvJaOshF36AtkrOBw-jW2jNyvc_Ecj7KKIndqByXzonpa364c9Iu3dbRQujvGXmvrxstHIBMO_aqB0UtxGK3HMomMN3g88QYN-vu2XjcdfrPNG57kSeFoCSSFbetkmEjeozATAekSsQdjqJJF1gTJVY7o/w640-h412/20220514_163146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SALT MARSH MUTTON AND LAMB: 2</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA4Qu6hBfdOLsVvII-2g0dnRGMiSnQverKp9KC_4jU4bbNoqOE8TSdUVul0uRDE8OSNIc06oaFrntC4v6Vdf4C9hbfNOCM7ZSxM7ITDvyH9fZcKguWSnoGuApN9gsizGN13HmYLwMyFjcVhcqqiFD7L1gUB5Xg4FA7j0BcB7CwCGG6TLWTO4/s3800/20220514_163550.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="3800" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA4Qu6hBfdOLsVvII-2g0dnRGMiSnQverKp9KC_4jU4bbNoqOE8TSdUVul0uRDE8OSNIc06oaFrntC4v6Vdf4C9hbfNOCM7ZSxM7ITDvyH9fZcKguWSnoGuApN9gsizGN13HmYLwMyFjcVhcqqiFD7L1gUB5Xg4FA7j0BcB7CwCGG6TLWTO4/w640-h440/20220514_163550.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SALT MARSH MUTTON AND LAMB: 3</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyikuD9m7g2mGReFY1dnbbqbd0scXiJV87GuqCuI-viAgQsB_Y0Rt4nC19KQQaXplJoW_XKCuOzTcsQ6w_ShQZBJ0Ms6UvRvCnIcJmSl6lIw_CnTurcMVVwfleMFUsy8LH-IcbNnOKzleB9s61LuHML5MGQMVrZmctlvCMDctYBnVG30Idss/s3793/20220514_163634.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2845" data-original-width="3793" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyikuD9m7g2mGReFY1dnbbqbd0scXiJV87GuqCuI-viAgQsB_Y0Rt4nC19KQQaXplJoW_XKCuOzTcsQ6w_ShQZBJ0Ms6UvRvCnIcJmSl6lIw_CnTurcMVVwfleMFUsy8LH-IcbNnOKzleB9s61LuHML5MGQMVrZmctlvCMDctYBnVG30Idss/w640-h480/20220514_163634.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SALT MARSH MUTTON AND LAMB: 4</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxK33_Uj1Ao94_ANJBAFA9UisSvOR6YFLBFaXARx74rMeQ9IPQwc7_x067ov_qpXdc--ngrwjGyEEceA7fs8hndq5z9E1lbdinYdvDjMylar5MLlHjbRPLr8TyB-qf8EKJk08rOYVr9JpVlS3amuK39cEnXEQY5n_4plxtKUa1WnRxG2rDH8/s3883/20220514_163723.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="3883" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxK33_Uj1Ao94_ANJBAFA9UisSvOR6YFLBFaXARx74rMeQ9IPQwc7_x067ov_qpXdc--ngrwjGyEEceA7fs8hndq5z9E1lbdinYdvDjMylar5MLlHjbRPLr8TyB-qf8EKJk08rOYVr9JpVlS3amuK39cEnXEQY5n_4plxtKUa1WnRxG2rDH8/w640-h480/20220514_163723.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SALT MARSH MUTTON AND LAMB: 5</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm afraid I didn't leap in to Loch Linnhe to rescue them as I was pretty sure that even sheep have a survival mechanism that would force them to wade or swim to the shore. Heartless? I was pretty thirsty and did wonder if salt marsh lamb would be on the menu this evening.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gJaHXLnNWtVY0mESriySwqLtw2mShK-j_XcU4TfOJ9N9QYeC_HbKBpum3kcJJGw4Dqr1ik3gD3X-IA_Gd-lgn4NMmgguFpgjydbULjIWc0ZmB2BeHHDZGMNNFGSRIym-Aok6xwzjAsLitMIWMpeo_JdxxFA0-pfnGQNWXGGIJu1T8zx2QoE/s3813/20220514_165356.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="3813" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gJaHXLnNWtVY0mESriySwqLtw2mShK-j_XcU4TfOJ9N9QYeC_HbKBpum3kcJJGw4Dqr1ik3gD3X-IA_Gd-lgn4NMmgguFpgjydbULjIWc0ZmB2BeHHDZGMNNFGSRIym-Aok6xwzjAsLitMIWMpeo_JdxxFA0-pfnGQNWXGGIJu1T8zx2QoE/w640-h480/20220514_165356.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE INN (THE BUILDING FAR LEFT) FROM RUBHA DEARG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Those six kilometres seemed to take forever, but I made the Inn bang on six o'clock. Just time for a quick one and then nip upstairs to wash the smalls, shirt and socks before a really good dinner. The service in the Inn was superb. Highly recommended. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This day had been a whole heap harder than I had imagined it to be at the outset but I had managed it. Just. Would I do it again? A resounding 'yes' as I could not possibly be in a worse condition than I was today and I would normally eat days like this for breakfast. Thankfully the weather had been kind if a bit bloody cold, walking into the wind all day, but the scenery was top drawer. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">All in all, highly recommended.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">And now, a small piece of genius.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="532" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HkOMiA_uGso" width="641" youtube-src-id="HkOMiA_uGso"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-16206132167907915092022-06-06T00:01:00.005+01:002022-06-08T16:53:21.476+01:00TGO Challenge 2022: Day 1: Acharacle to Glen Hurich<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8Gf2hC6i1kkzI4vyt7BupUN7uwSVK19bJO0YBDlcJWH69GU8LuHuM69Q0DqxIdmu86YhKLCr8oCchklZCabi9TqJyu6uieNqg1GKGW4pDUudR5XGdaFe0o_BTAASXHXx3gr1o0QL58YrNkfwo6CB0iE7V4Sc-6cF1Ci4g5TXgVn8kT8NBOvM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1792" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8Gf2hC6i1kkzI4vyt7BupUN7uwSVK19bJO0YBDlcJWH69GU8LuHuM69Q0DqxIdmu86YhKLCr8oCchklZCabi9TqJyu6uieNqg1GKGW4pDUudR5XGdaFe0o_BTAASXHXx3gr1o0QL58YrNkfwo6CB0iE7V4Sc-6cF1Ci4g5TXgVn8kT8NBOvM=w640-h316" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DAY ONE: RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Distance: 24 km<br />Ascent: 550 m</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-cbhdC7ViuS9TIIV1ufjLpBr-yiNC_f8MYHnwp76rNNoPlXjIRqzVw_JsyX3QLLClftfm2xIw7vFRRKJ12cRHHS0hJVRyQpqegX6r5YJpMmYNMSgtUuybYx6hADCJ01KOrYDNk7_jpiAWZySdxKuvQyY75SmxKCCzvdvM7yYDdq2MoZlO5I/s4032/20220513_075143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-cbhdC7ViuS9TIIV1ufjLpBr-yiNC_f8MYHnwp76rNNoPlXjIRqzVw_JsyX3QLLClftfm2xIw7vFRRKJ12cRHHS0hJVRyQpqegX6r5YJpMmYNMSgtUuybYx6hADCJ01KOrYDNk7_jpiAWZySdxKuvQyY75SmxKCCzvdvM7yYDdq2MoZlO5I/w400-h300/20220513_075143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Breakfast for one. Through the windows the outside looks cold and gusty. Over the last few days the forecast has veered from one poor day followed by quite a few promising days of sunshine, to that poor day followed by a very mixed days with heavy showers and heavier winds. Fortunately, Phil has me walking a fairly sheltered first day with a fair proportion of the afternoon in forestry, so I'm away to catch the school bus to Acharacle in a fairly optimistic mood. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcur1n-1pNARNl36LQXaowAetqBhcHEYPlrgmZ-Sdo9e4LDVRLCcgssEEIBOyjue45gHok80hiktJqt889YoL5wVH2BGyuWlS19kUHxueVHdISbEISpqRKrXVreXOuQyR1yvQhaGxYYeNa_uW9pqTu28fd16uiLLLav56-2VMjO28I_KzVy9Q/s3751/20220513_090716.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="3751" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcur1n-1pNARNl36LQXaowAetqBhcHEYPlrgmZ-Sdo9e4LDVRLCcgssEEIBOyjue45gHok80hiktJqt889YoL5wVH2BGyuWlS19kUHxueVHdISbEISpqRKrXVreXOuQyR1yvQhaGxYYeNa_uW9pqTu28fd16uiLLLav56-2VMjO28I_KzVy9Q/w400-h301/20220513_090716.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE START POINT: THE LOCH SHIEL HOTEL</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The school bus drops me at the Loch Shiel Hotel and I stroll into the lobby to find the signing-in sheets on a small table in the corner. It's bang on nine o'clock as I add my signature. No one's about so I hoist my pack for the first time on the walk. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It feels very heavy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It's an easy six mile plod to the beach where I had to meet John the boatman and I'd two and a half hours to get there; some useful time to settle myself into this year's TGO Challenge. No sooner had I finished tightening my hipbelt than I ran into Graeme, Daniel and Kaye who were about to pile into the shop to resupply for the next leg of their Challenge. They'd started two days ago at Kilchoan and so had suffered pretty miserable weather. They looked cheery enough but I lacked the wherewithal to engage as my head was set on a lonely walk and idiotically I strolled on rather than wait to join them on the walk to the boat. Odd, but that's how it works at times.</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgNhzfiaFFz1baBhQHOSHU6eB7fJ4odcS4Uv_O5k5O9zP9QTc0MolG0V8z8wwnDm2DpJwCIOCs9b0INqBktOQ_D-z1vHXpW6ds8gIb2paUmMKN447TfFkrH228DHoYLzHAR1CYMZMOR5Qpxq5PD7v-uS8v-0oCHNwWtUKY4pRBdzLduQknss/s4008/20220513_094755.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2794" data-original-width="4008" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgNhzfiaFFz1baBhQHOSHU6eB7fJ4odcS4Uv_O5k5O9zP9QTc0MolG0V8z8wwnDm2DpJwCIOCs9b0INqBktOQ_D-z1vHXpW6ds8gIb2paUmMKN447TfFkrH228DHoYLzHAR1CYMZMOR5Qpxq5PD7v-uS8v-0oCHNwWtUKY4pRBdzLduQknss/w640-h446/20220513_094755.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LOOKING BACK TO ACHARACLE ACROSS THE MOSS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div><span style="text-align: justify;">The muted panoramas of a drizzly day are not where I look to find inspiration; they're simply the backdrop for the charm found immediately around as I make my way through the morning. The soft early May foliage of the native woodland is a joy and birdsong fills the moist air. With this scenery as my company the morning slips along beautifully. The slutchy first yards of the lane I take as a shortcut is just another way of getting into the walk, easing myself into what can be much worse later on. Magically, I find that I'm in a very good place and the very serious doubts I'd had in a sleepless night are melting away as I find my natural stride after a few miles of a slightly forced and awkward gait.</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHttv06g6q_UljjpdVFKJ14aGYNeXQUd1tT_MYOSMrlL-0mD0SfSR8GH0YQTqaF9-ifcDX4f448QtgF3slFjKxFsL-kJ4_vlkvhVytfUjgi5aMc9dbLe3S0atONHFvq9_arMF5kOqKJUKcYBN_RIYuzRgDHqRsy7QE6IxjHFIsdPtmyy88rE/s3332/20220513_094944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2965" data-original-width="3332" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHttv06g6q_UljjpdVFKJ14aGYNeXQUd1tT_MYOSMrlL-0mD0SfSR8GH0YQTqaF9-ifcDX4f448QtgF3slFjKxFsL-kJ4_vlkvhVytfUjgi5aMc9dbLe3S0atONHFvq9_arMF5kOqKJUKcYBN_RIYuzRgDHqRsy7QE6IxjHFIsdPtmyy88rE/w400-h356/20220513_094944.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoCYe7u223jWa9s6FlN1fI6mYY732aZLm8_BhYFYMeqa-0WX9JJWJ4t2J2S45blaeGIMnLvJ4jugz8ZDERxlwIA7EGYnpwOlMZ9tMB7PyGT4f8WVqgcAUIee_eq1u-1P47889fjBA0IWYddyzjCV57pQWwOHMjDN3L1GJeb2cIGQ8HWYyiok/s4032/20220513_095218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoCYe7u223jWa9s6FlN1fI6mYY732aZLm8_BhYFYMeqa-0WX9JJWJ4t2J2S45blaeGIMnLvJ4jugz8ZDERxlwIA7EGYnpwOlMZ9tMB7PyGT4f8WVqgcAUIee_eq1u-1P47889fjBA0IWYddyzjCV57pQWwOHMjDN3L1GJeb2cIGQ8HWYyiok/w480-h640/20220513_095218.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8saR0Abt7PeUUEH2kVLnmKipyjJUODELazCobuK1UHkm7PL12ww7csNDa7o4E_QONKH629zedGgyLJ57A7iw9pYX9jOqJYV9WpbODlQstjC0DuxJBq1K9v6IusIvtjZiEWbyhTaCPic9hYseEKoTNua_CPGasTEzRa_svwpP9iGAHcQink8/s3615/20220513_095833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3615" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8saR0Abt7PeUUEH2kVLnmKipyjJUODELazCobuK1UHkm7PL12ww7csNDa7o4E_QONKH629zedGgyLJ57A7iw9pYX9jOqJYV9WpbODlQstjC0DuxJBq1K9v6IusIvtjZiEWbyhTaCPic9hYseEKoTNua_CPGasTEzRa_svwpP9iGAHcQink8/w400-h335/20220513_095833.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've walked along in my little half-world, taking short breaks to adjust my pack's harness and boot laces until I'm sure everything sits and feels about right while I'm on an easy section. Everything now works together and before long boots, belt, pack and clothes are just part of me and feel perfectly natural. That's a relief as it can take me a couple of days to find this sweet spot. As the gorgeous Dalelia approaches (does Crewe stop at this train?) I realise that the three musketeers are on my heels and I have company. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the beach we bump into Jan and Ellen from Holland who are walking from B&B to B&B every day. They must have signed out quite early from Acharacle as they've been here an hour. John, our lovely boatman, decides to take us in two groups of three, and so I join the Dutch team for the first crossing. I struggle into my lifejacket, and hop into the boat from the beach as John shoves it into the loch. Moments later we're whizzing across the waves, powered along by an absurdly powerful outboard motor. Stupidly my phone is in my coat pocket and trapped out of reach by the lifejacket so there are no pictures of our crossing. It's a great run around the islands, pausing for John to arrange a return of a couple he had landed on one of the islands earlier in the day. Then we clamber onto the floating pontoons that make up the jetty on the other side of the loch.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY4N3b1qhcu5dgXwqtHKU3rsfw26QpqGTnrVfP4ZGLEoOviHgUnZkW_sNzYVjSobEPO33IzoI8lbConXXuCXyQUV5p4nmvMvKAhsKgm2c6Z0hyYGVCO4UQ_5V41JvVv9VkBVbe4VxKojYd7IEjrf1kez0yydA1E_-v4nw0NryYUv-nQ4X-ro/s4032/20220513_114659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY4N3b1qhcu5dgXwqtHKU3rsfw26QpqGTnrVfP4ZGLEoOviHgUnZkW_sNzYVjSobEPO33IzoI8lbConXXuCXyQUV5p4nmvMvKAhsKgm2c6Z0hyYGVCO4UQ_5V41JvVv9VkBVbe4VxKojYd7IEjrf1kez0yydA1E_-v4nw0NryYUv-nQ4X-ro/w640-h480/20220513_114659.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A SNATCHED SHOT AS JOHN RACES BACK TO DALELIA TO COLLECT GRAEME'S TEAM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KonGUDQ3aqW6fzspEiI24A6JWSUig04Re5F5ZZhOp5Bjz-LafYR88OL4cuvF_mRffcP1g4XLl00n6u-i5Bde5PGuz7uI0sSQtwUtiqbrx6vceFjAZxyx0sYb4flyOGGr6P0tkYglkAQIQw3jNeWgore2tFiTlFcQjk3xbI0eTRxx805rY4w/s4032/20220513_114831.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KonGUDQ3aqW6fzspEiI24A6JWSUig04Re5F5ZZhOp5Bjz-LafYR88OL4cuvF_mRffcP1g4XLl00n6u-i5Bde5PGuz7uI0sSQtwUtiqbrx6vceFjAZxyx0sYb4flyOGGr6P0tkYglkAQIQw3jNeWgore2tFiTlFcQjk3xbI0eTRxx805rY4w/w640-h480/20220513_114831.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">JAN AND ELLEN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When you leave the jetty there's a steep little footpath that zig-zags its way up to the top of the hill to gain the track to Polloch. There's a bench at the start of the climb so you can admire the views back over Loch Shiel. It was not yet midday so I decided to get the 150ft climb out of the way and stroll down to the hamlet and make for a spot just past the bridge over the River Polloch where there's grass and a bit of shelter from some pines and have a spot of lunch there.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGOnhpFUag0EjR8c1_uqYgIp1PSYqDQpwexsy3vqCAl2FDZldjqvOsjxl07fkvQt1mzjMcY2aV2JSKEY7bv_pbkrXa2M1WCJXwVtC_44Ujx01sKBw4Lnb0Iapux46fbU_VM-HqaC895HC30XQZr2FLFPhWBU88sCNJ9dwOMW_DHntbicPH9M/s4032/20220513_121659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGOnhpFUag0EjR8c1_uqYgIp1PSYqDQpwexsy3vqCAl2FDZldjqvOsjxl07fkvQt1mzjMcY2aV2JSKEY7bv_pbkrXa2M1WCJXwVtC_44Ujx01sKBw4Lnb0Iapux46fbU_VM-HqaC895HC30XQZr2FLFPhWBU88sCNJ9dwOMW_DHntbicPH9M/w640-h480/20220513_121659.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">POLLOCH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was too chilly to stop for long; I forced myself to stay for around twenty minutes but only managed a block of chocolate and a breakfast bar, thinking I'd eat as I walked. By now the wind was beginning to pick up, the temperature dropping and clouds were gathering. It looked like I was to get a soaking. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has to be said that the minor road along Loch Doilet does go up and down rather unnecessarily only for it to come back down to loch level but I was surprised that I actually bowled along without too much trouble. That might have been the sugar rush from the gorgeous rum and raisin chocolate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0owD85LKIyho39ljLHJzDIJuT86VtMwG8cnswC-EVPgcFUjKCFimSBOXW1vWju9guwVfAuTR1mWlxq3q0nSSbyHmWjdIXebVW4OvDrnGUUm_eV1HCcvjm2BXLAHBMGC-4uTmlu5etWLRH8BmgF3KSIj5k9TELtWO8ktt84F6I3VDze1l69M/s4032/20220513_125918.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0owD85LKIyho39ljLHJzDIJuT86VtMwG8cnswC-EVPgcFUjKCFimSBOXW1vWju9guwVfAuTR1mWlxq3q0nSSbyHmWjdIXebVW4OvDrnGUUm_eV1HCcvjm2BXLAHBMGC-4uTmlu5etWLRH8BmgF3KSIj5k9TELtWO8ktt84F6I3VDze1l69M/s320/20220513_125918.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">SCOTSWAYS SIGN TO STRONTIAN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I passed the Scotways (probably better known to you as the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society) sign that indicates the start of the coffin road and miners path that I guessed Jan & Ellen would be taking to get to Scotstown for their night indoors before they headed through Glen Gour tomorrow. The next Scotsways sign pointed me in the direction I was taking - the eighteen miles or so to tomorrow's destination, Ardgour.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjJA0iqaYEi2fGQOrO7PtFTH8SmLeKWBsE51seKJeZ8yo86LqCUOe8pMcH-HCemGLXGrjguYbG9g0E-97vrx70RcdB1LvSqbJBiY_fA1MOAgjjEUsG6g7CXc2xomDVW92HKFab0EjLT_NnWGeOaUbD500lYXjdiUY_cB3G2LBsRiywlv1c1w/s4032/20220513_133808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjJA0iqaYEi2fGQOrO7PtFTH8SmLeKWBsE51seKJeZ8yo86LqCUOe8pMcH-HCemGLXGrjguYbG9g0E-97vrx70RcdB1LvSqbJBiY_fA1MOAgjjEUsG6g7CXc2xomDVW92HKFab0EjLT_NnWGeOaUbD500lYXjdiUY_cB3G2LBsRiywlv1c1w/w480-h640/20220513_133808.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MY SCOTSWAYS SIGN TO ARDGOUR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Occasionally there are wooden guide posts, usually at forestry track junctions that give a helping hand, but after leaving the road I'm on well constructed fairly smooth tracks that make walking an easy affair giving time to take in the scenery, such that it is in a planted forest. Light rain showers sweep over me with the consequent drop in temperature so the anorak is brought out to remain for the rest of the day.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2180wXQYbgpkQQbYxSuvcKTg9BHiJqsMQ_zDzT_k9D5XO2CUTLtTlu65JaW4Xxe5dsEaw0QDYfxlOm9mbg1FjwwAp9go5K3fFBEFB0M-X4BzwHxBzTC4aNfw7Wn1uab_kgyFXon_Yrlh7Nf-yXfJ2rt8L_qZ--xb_WFLxppEvQKjN53tclI/s4032/20220513_134553.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2180wXQYbgpkQQbYxSuvcKTg9BHiJqsMQ_zDzT_k9D5XO2CUTLtTlu65JaW4Xxe5dsEaw0QDYfxlOm9mbg1FjwwAp9go5K3fFBEFB0M-X4BzwHxBzTC4aNfw7Wn1uab_kgyFXon_Yrlh7Nf-yXfJ2rt8L_qZ--xb_WFLxppEvQKjN53tclI/w300-h400/20220513_134553.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">SCOTSWAYS GUIDE POST</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Now and then the track reverts to a metalled road which had me wondering the reasoning for it. There's absolutely nothing up Glen Hurich apart from trees, and fantastic scenery. Perhaps in earlier times the lead mining that was prevalent in Strontian also took place here as well. There's no mention of it on either the 1:50 or 1:25k OS maps.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV91WxNxp3D-qpGgxca5nzgKZWKZ8yJ7HImBfppNM_7s9wuoaHzDPQ8E8dW3PC7p_XWB4lzUsExr8cQ0Mv6nRAixaQraSu1g-2TrCRBNnobhsy-rI_tvSaPh4mVLWUcR9fCoF-aqutUwe90Fs7g-F_2n890ymj3nLcV1-s_hDfZCu5XLjPcO8/s4032/20220513_134809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV91WxNxp3D-qpGgxca5nzgKZWKZ8yJ7HImBfppNM_7s9wuoaHzDPQ8E8dW3PC7p_XWB4lzUsExr8cQ0Mv6nRAixaQraSu1g-2TrCRBNnobhsy-rI_tvSaPh4mVLWUcR9fCoF-aqutUwe90Fs7g-F_2n890ymj3nLcV1-s_hDfZCu5XLjPcO8/w640-h480/20220513_134809.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_azdaN2QbzqR6Cp2bG24ri45ALJCufKiGkCXg-TkX13SLExUiuGmfvRqibVuQ7ifPuT7tlCh6m3XTD_U_dQEB09Qybe2-B-mIqvksUQgDDCsXC4oEVws8ItXgTk6cE11DsRN8x_9zXACUntWhRVZXymGx6tL0hoWlPrEhO9UgQmxlZwJMdjw/s4032/20220513_135917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_azdaN2QbzqR6Cp2bG24ri45ALJCufKiGkCXg-TkX13SLExUiuGmfvRqibVuQ7ifPuT7tlCh6m3XTD_U_dQEB09Qybe2-B-mIqvksUQgDDCsXC4oEVws8ItXgTk6cE11DsRN8x_9zXACUntWhRVZXymGx6tL0hoWlPrEhO9UgQmxlZwJMdjw/w480-h640/20220513_135917.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">METALLED SECTION</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGNB4U7ToSPStH7w9PofubMEbVDAlp6XLKqOyooaK-lI8FgMu7sk5TaA_nh0zAbX-uDzBbhZWHquzG5eLIxk2fA_2rsngw21ashyOlaXVZkV70SXpuDQDHUhK6cHJTL83IhPfXvKV__k9PHka7oCHYa9SE4wsHoG4f8kiytHdAppC_fSZT9g/s3722/20220513_140744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2279" data-original-width="3722" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGNB4U7ToSPStH7w9PofubMEbVDAlp6XLKqOyooaK-lI8FgMu7sk5TaA_nh0zAbX-uDzBbhZWHquzG5eLIxk2fA_2rsngw21ashyOlaXVZkV70SXpuDQDHUhK6cHJTL83IhPfXvKV__k9PHka7oCHYa9SE4wsHoG4f8kiytHdAppC_fSZT9g/w640-h392/20220513_140744.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">GLENHURICH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoI2QG3Z6TF66zsRecyLRhRcu9wME-Cv7rKSnDh3NxPyjO__pXkhiR_dDB8a9nVicNFitd3Yln2I6E6z-u2V28bVSkqou-d3gVRxxwcjtnBFTdcb8v9Z_cXK_0UPXep66DieMXdC6KA1m-sChx-rUhcJ5zWGT66So4xmLCut81WrFgMIkDCc/s4001/20220513_140906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2614" data-original-width="4001" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoI2QG3Z6TF66zsRecyLRhRcu9wME-Cv7rKSnDh3NxPyjO__pXkhiR_dDB8a9nVicNFitd3Yln2I6E6z-u2V28bVSkqou-d3gVRxxwcjtnBFTdcb8v9Z_cXK_0UPXep66DieMXdC6KA1m-sChx-rUhcJ5zWGT66So4xmLCut81WrFgMIkDCc/w640-h418/20220513_140906.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A RENOVATION PROJECT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, GLENHURICH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-gYF9RhiaSXMHTKgAi2cJcgFWHrIrPKveoQMM9De-5RjZhjgq_4ZqL3vvmyJoRVuPOV9HxmPkpPFInSqgWezH5C6KrdypCl-J5661f0LT11be0OMMyKEbj50RnTnq8w7IWNECNgCjo7adt3U1-LATshBNJG5cyho9zh80RBahDzf0KIHEjg/s4032/20220513_141023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="4032" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-gYF9RhiaSXMHTKgAi2cJcgFWHrIrPKveoQMM9De-5RjZhjgq_4ZqL3vvmyJoRVuPOV9HxmPkpPFInSqgWezH5C6KrdypCl-J5661f0LT11be0OMMyKEbj50RnTnq8w7IWNECNgCjo7adt3U1-LATshBNJG5cyho9zh80RBahDzf0KIHEjg/w640-h414/20220513_141023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">YOU'LL HAVE YOUR WORK CUT OUT TO SORT THIS ONE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPtiiRoy6X8e1EhGMCnghl-PRGooBfNB35S9M99G3qqdxERh8PRr9gvVHsGNVJlJfuCvlTLo2LMlbKG05zVFkHR6CFvT7lLVWidxrA5ZzWSqe9WfMZ79z8BhbnWZyImtf3M5yvLTfSK0lsWL_pOWrWyIgk_3cNfMAcnEwEyrnEZLYguhrX-s/s4032/20220513_141514.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2211" data-original-width="4032" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPtiiRoy6X8e1EhGMCnghl-PRGooBfNB35S9M99G3qqdxERh8PRr9gvVHsGNVJlJfuCvlTLo2LMlbKG05zVFkHR6CFvT7lLVWidxrA5ZzWSqe9WfMZ79z8BhbnWZyImtf3M5yvLTfSK0lsWL_pOWrWyIgk_3cNfMAcnEwEyrnEZLYguhrX-s/w400-h219/20220513_141514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE WAY TO RESOURIE BOTHY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My route takes me over the bridge across the River Hurich to the south side of the glen. Phil & I decided not to visit Resourie as it could have left an awkward crossing of the river if it was in spate, and the southern track takes you a couple of klicks further up the glen and more importantly past the potentially awkward gorge at Mam Beathaig, where a huge rocky spur juts from the northern wall of the glen forcing the river through a narrow gap, that has an amazingly wild feel. You seem to enter another world having passed through this gap.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcS8AsDIBOWMmF4C2mwheZVh9cOcwtvUvh2zuPANZ9EGw6PvMhAtpaOs9cLpklz_fhu2Nkqwct2GkhdVnlaSbK-D_jeVVxZQRJqMVahQP25bgfG8hwKyr0xqNkT8jFutlwFXjV_NFooOevQBcFpDh3u8wLaMW7dUaduBoV8958RCsrx6yiZ0/s4032/20220513_141927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2833" data-original-width="4032" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcS8AsDIBOWMmF4C2mwheZVh9cOcwtvUvh2zuPANZ9EGw6PvMhAtpaOs9cLpklz_fhu2Nkqwct2GkhdVnlaSbK-D_jeVVxZQRJqMVahQP25bgfG8hwKyr0xqNkT8jFutlwFXjV_NFooOevQBcFpDh3u8wLaMW7dUaduBoV8958RCsrx6yiZ0/w640-h450/20220513_141927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A HANDY REST STOP OVER THE BRIDGE, IN THE MISTY MURK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was whilst having a break at this grassy spot that a Forestry Scotland Fiesta stopped for a chat. The driver, a guy slightly older than me was interested where I would be stopping. I showed him my map and he suggested that if I camp very slightly further on he would be grateful. Apparently there's a new pair of birds that have set up home and he suggested it would be better if I was out of eyeshot of their new home.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBxB0IPXmJ6m15w3CM2OomyQI5NO7bVWWYrRMZN8nCFbBjPQQhMY-umzBPv0j6uD3jxpWPH7YJuCkRJl6HNoorbJLppSZSnUN8WRaJRmhpldXZcwmzschiQxXTPtwUDW2qxmnkP0J1bV8Lfjn4t-cVUiMz_1X1NZeGWcg1OUsTcYjQNfBkVg/s4032/20220513_145142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2239" data-original-width="4032" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBxB0IPXmJ6m15w3CM2OomyQI5NO7bVWWYrRMZN8nCFbBjPQQhMY-umzBPv0j6uD3jxpWPH7YJuCkRJl6HNoorbJLppSZSnUN8WRaJRmhpldXZcwmzschiQxXTPtwUDW2qxmnkP0J1bV8Lfjn4t-cVUiMz_1X1NZeGWcg1OUsTcYjQNfBkVg/w640-h356/20220513_145142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MY UPPER TRACK ON THE SOUTH SIDE, AND THE LOWER TRACK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_QmL_JGtg6bg1CEdBKa6i_YmQwXIOcdpwvM0aoaRYUVRrMIVIwCt23nxDr34g-__fmAjYD8y8_ILmhQEF1Q_Am-fmtLzKrUYs4gcIipH5IKM-Uuzxu9cxSl20qyER8lABggbPqt9smxsWV3oMzPDcHE3GtQ17611YuTCrtwRz8OIfKK5SZk/s3815/20220513_155450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="3815" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_QmL_JGtg6bg1CEdBKa6i_YmQwXIOcdpwvM0aoaRYUVRrMIVIwCt23nxDr34g-__fmAjYD8y8_ILmhQEF1Q_Am-fmtLzKrUYs4gcIipH5IKM-Uuzxu9cxSl20qyER8lABggbPqt9smxsWV3oMzPDcHE3GtQ17611YuTCrtwRz8OIfKK5SZk/w640-h486/20220513_155450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxQIcqNR2MZU1of9_NHZQwAd9nGM6JHctA0KifVZRNs7h0RJIuVPj2ldP1598tkA6l4gYUQPWOQi2-PWtl8oAWicpfnTQAFhz8aWuXZBcFH_0udTfSwUHpw4bZ56cIeY5mQt8KTOWgbruKietoAEyU-gbe55n_ciQVE-wJdPuNKSrHRez0rQ/s4032/20220513_160436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2857" data-original-width="4032" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxQIcqNR2MZU1of9_NHZQwAd9nGM6JHctA0KifVZRNs7h0RJIuVPj2ldP1598tkA6l4gYUQPWOQi2-PWtl8oAWicpfnTQAFhz8aWuXZBcFH_0udTfSwUHpw4bZ56cIeY5mQt8KTOWgbruKietoAEyU-gbe55n_ciQVE-wJdPuNKSrHRez0rQ/w640-h454/20220513_160436.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE NARROWS AT MAM BEATHAIG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oI0G131Idsxw9iFBpQyOwh6pDX6lUHQU_lz32Dlk8oE1NTEJSjqOvgVFnniMHFkbP1qp4pMY3fI1DtXSgQk_BAsib06tlmmhHQvUWdTQgmagn5ZGTx43abixecCfcT4MO_fEplJYG2e3cR96oVThaxMb7BvQohJ22NXQYBB0Cpfp03vg_j4/s3664/20220513_162603.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="3664" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oI0G131Idsxw9iFBpQyOwh6pDX6lUHQU_lz32Dlk8oE1NTEJSjqOvgVFnniMHFkbP1qp4pMY3fI1DtXSgQk_BAsib06tlmmhHQvUWdTQgmagn5ZGTx43abixecCfcT4MO_fEplJYG2e3cR96oVThaxMb7BvQohJ22NXQYBB0Cpfp03vg_j4/w640-h444/20220513_162603.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A TRICKY LITTLE FORD - QUITE DEEP, PACEY AND SLIPPERY UNDERFOOT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbgiBvAHZ2ZL--CsjEngKhRp1p1C29AKvDELZbhwOt3CAWpPQIC4CNebm1FGmtI--uufnqjjZPi5I79lpj6im1vkzXMtSipl24DwhZai2qa3hqKG_sy40IaRqE7mPu0g8Ij1litHKZu5WqxEg7DVzGT8qZBzczDmtc-fkgpbOQVTkMWuuiXI/s4032/20220513_165531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbgiBvAHZ2ZL--CsjEngKhRp1p1C29AKvDELZbhwOt3CAWpPQIC4CNebm1FGmtI--uufnqjjZPi5I79lpj6im1vkzXMtSipl24DwhZai2qa3hqKG_sy40IaRqE7mPu0g8Ij1litHKZu5WqxEg7DVzGT8qZBzczDmtc-fkgpbOQVTkMWuuiXI/w480-h640/20220513_165531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the ford the going is back to Highland Glen, with quite a few interesting burns pushing their way to the main river and so there are a few guide posts to help you find your way. These are the last you'll see. I would imagine after heavy rain these side streams could be problematic, as they are difficult to get out of in places - a bit of a muddy scramble.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZbmALEaVKliv1VDOkUrOVvGmLP7cHdoVphl4-F9-R21NvjHR8ZQ_Lt2Y8_3z1n8XeIP_5H5F_WRZczVajmLfg9OE03CEoetbJoJJj4vvlDHfujnW2PGKg7Ehzi_GMX-hgST23vV1icpTXooRNX72reiPXiPJqJDFGq57R3QreXQyBEelRxM/s3524/20220513_165826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3524" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZbmALEaVKliv1VDOkUrOVvGmLP7cHdoVphl4-F9-R21NvjHR8ZQ_Lt2Y8_3z1n8XeIP_5H5F_WRZczVajmLfg9OE03CEoetbJoJJj4vvlDHfujnW2PGKg7Ehzi_GMX-hgST23vV1icpTXooRNX72reiPXiPJqJDFGq57R3QreXQyBEelRxM/w550-h640/20220513_165826.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FJ0YegXQhD5leFdOVJ4AywGuSdJEF-pB4pnhSGzF9MLlYIRlWxsxhZBjMrY5DLfXoc4tPHwN6qvLmXzlRS8yjIRMPq_Rwyi7HG5HuNJzLO1Pi_XvX5yLQpPchXbd3ToTf5PRSr7EiYteM7z7a-EZdyE9gLtqDXesRCWeVmEOa7I_MH46FwQ/s3183/20220513_165950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3183" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FJ0YegXQhD5leFdOVJ4AywGuSdJEF-pB4pnhSGzF9MLlYIRlWxsxhZBjMrY5DLfXoc4tPHwN6qvLmXzlRS8yjIRMPq_Rwyi7HG5HuNJzLO1Pi_XvX5yLQpPchXbd3ToTf5PRSr7EiYteM7z7a-EZdyE9gLtqDXesRCWeVmEOa7I_MH46FwQ/w608-h640/20220513_165950.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplDeDZV9ZOwshF2eCguOnCOkB7ZTxvnnfVO823XrntrD6EnGIZPQjoOCrMMWzrq0Uo9gXxBBuzuu5rEankeizY9ggP2wcffR4GsckGeWWTPSD7I4zFXef6euSCcY1QqP8hDNfvzkQ-gnhB2e4GEXIoo5CFur1fig1XXPU88RvuEvJ9ORx914/s4032/20220513_170904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplDeDZV9ZOwshF2eCguOnCOkB7ZTxvnnfVO823XrntrD6EnGIZPQjoOCrMMWzrq0Uo9gXxBBuzuu5rEankeizY9ggP2wcffR4GsckGeWWTPSD7I4zFXef6euSCcY1QqP8hDNfvzkQ-gnhB2e4GEXIoo5CFur1fig1XXPU88RvuEvJ9ORx914/w480-h640/20220513_170904.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A WELCOME PAIR OF SMALL CAIRNS THAT STEER YOU INTO THE TREES FOR A PATH ALONGSIDE THE MAIN RIVER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I set up home as suggested by the man from the Forestry, on a raised platform above the river, not wanting any unpleasant surprises should it piss down in the night. I was certainly ready to stop but very pleased that I had actually managed the day. Water wasn't a problem as there was an abundance of the stuff everywhere you looked. Punch a hole in the ground and I think there would be a geyser twenty feet high.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Hbe-svnWPG615OLC82apSX1dElqPx64x5fDuYIWRHGddA4FdAH5x-7A-pZetHB23zArLCORcHT_1ur7IodkiKyTYeoOS_HBE0eThIprDC05vK36l4XQ8xOppp_LBkRMSHiMTzIkoO-koH2aAxWRT_7y6b4lVPTKcjT5biIJbaISGkDHktM/s4032/20220513_172630.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Hbe-svnWPG615OLC82apSX1dElqPx64x5fDuYIWRHGddA4FdAH5x-7A-pZetHB23zArLCORcHT_1ur7IodkiKyTYeoOS_HBE0eThIprDC05vK36l4XQ8xOppp_LBkRMSHiMTzIkoO-koH2aAxWRT_7y6b4lVPTKcjT5biIJbaISGkDHktM/w640-h480/20220513_172630.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RIGHT CLICK TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW - NOT TOO BAD A SPOT, IF I SAY SO MYSELF. PHIL WOULD LIKE THIS.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND907B5GGkQViPtooqcy3DaL2mJ9ISGKNtt3eruz8JhBfEmArUx4cVN1riMGojxNRTWuY52ou-JCnIlhKAMwfq4CXf7Qmfouen96rSdl4ZFegVrs46XTTsovfYX1rplb7UmJacSk1jk2Rp81IeNlz_P8rK7uiF0Xbeh5gxOiUzd25eNTANBY/s3418/20220513_172732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="3418" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND907B5GGkQViPtooqcy3DaL2mJ9ISGKNtt3eruz8JhBfEmArUx4cVN1riMGojxNRTWuY52ou-JCnIlhKAMwfq4CXf7Qmfouen96rSdl4ZFegVrs46XTTsovfYX1rplb7UmJacSk1jk2Rp81IeNlz_P8rK7uiF0Xbeh5gxOiUzd25eNTANBY/w640-h508/20220513_172732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor4iSSf0pbpXfa0qTtIXe4ekwCPDbF0XOsYSlCjehE_CYNQlTS-tvxfbcMV4QLnMUvqe4n1crViyR8mQC9BcxfQ1m-tgksLlxBiIC4oYh1XMhjK8byH58D_Lluf6UDbZWZcFWxi1ebuv7jTP0EYAJGx7Xf_e81fIK56HLhH7bPYxO9p17okk/s3905/20220513_183536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3905" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor4iSSf0pbpXfa0qTtIXe4ekwCPDbF0XOsYSlCjehE_CYNQlTS-tvxfbcMV4QLnMUvqe4n1crViyR8mQC9BcxfQ1m-tgksLlxBiIC4oYh1XMhjK8byH58D_Lluf6UDbZWZcFWxi1ebuv7jTP0EYAJGx7Xf_e81fIK56HLhH7bPYxO9p17okk/w496-h640/20220513_183536.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">OVALTINE AND REAL TURMAT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After lying down on my scrumptiously beautiful sleeping bag and wonderfully warm squidgy mattress I found it difficult to find the enthusiasm to eat. The Ovaltine was good, but I only managed half my Real Turmat Beef Stew, which is one of my favourites. I buried the rest. This was odd as I hadn't had much to eat during the day. Or, come to think of it, anywhere near enough to drink. This was a problem in shitty weather, and it would bite me in the arse later on. However, a few warming mouthfuls of Waitrose No.1 Tawny Port (try it; it's gorgeous) settled me down for the night and I was away with Ms Hepburn for a solid nine hours.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdgosI8SBjszxvRSR3i0r2ha5BnPSQSRm7ScVJ2VvVdoEYAAm1sgG9Yty6Bzu_YOiWhuN9cLc0ETxfvm8QzlQzlZBjY3dJY01RB-O8-IiYOTVvSr_RJc8ZgKP-FQsXudzcCP_UHZhPfgVfJWj2Iia--p_YbhvIJV_Rk5yN-DSinW8Czp29tw/s2306/Screenshot_20220513-175330_Memory-Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2306" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdgosI8SBjszxvRSR3i0r2ha5BnPSQSRm7ScVJ2VvVdoEYAAm1sgG9Yty6Bzu_YOiWhuN9cLc0ETxfvm8QzlQzlZBjY3dJY01RB-O8-IiYOTVvSr_RJc8ZgKP-FQsXudzcCP_UHZhPfgVfJWj2Iia--p_YbhvIJV_Rk5yN-DSinW8Czp29tw/w301-h640/Screenshot_20220513-175330_Memory-Map.jpg" width="301" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MY HOME FOR THE NIGHT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="527" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AS3FXKCxDL4" width="635" youtube-src-id="AS3FXKCxDL4"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-8206592275795693852022-06-01T20:25:00.003+01:002022-06-19T22:06:52.671+01:00TGO Challenge 2022: Travelling to the West Coast<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Are there any problem solvers in the congregation? Then you'll know the old saw "Where are we now, where do we want to be and how are we going to get there?"</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This map shows the fourteen start points on the west coast of Scotland. The green and yellow shaded area represents the countryside that Challengers must stay within to walk to the east coast. Rail and bus services are shown in red for rail and green for buses. Quite why red is chosen for rail services defeats me as I would have chosen black but this is a free country and Challengers are free spirits.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFH1WniKmKkk4P2nAGzEhjdPYtQAWaJBzFjBCHvMrjHi63mL1KsGuk7GZ7BXmxJSRakJ7O0DTzLm4yGjE0rOx2t0Pcjonik8jdixa3qaii4Jv7XVki-dhfGADGOJjSGWH1nXb64O0Va9Aul65N7HxN9ii4r50ODSi8lSvW5YmSiAyoVPvH8M/s876/Screenshot%202022-06-01%20165554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="790" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFH1WniKmKkk4P2nAGzEhjdPYtQAWaJBzFjBCHvMrjHi63mL1KsGuk7GZ7BXmxJSRakJ7O0DTzLm4yGjE0rOx2t0Pcjonik8jdixa3qaii4Jv7XVki-dhfGADGOJjSGWH1nXb64O0Va9Aul65N7HxN9ii4r50ODSi8lSvW5YmSiAyoVPvH8M/w578-h640/Screenshot%202022-06-01%20165554.jpg" width="578" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">As you already know, if you have read previous posts on this year's Challenge, I'm starting at Acharacle - number ten on the map - and so my journey there ("where do we want to be") from the Thames Valley ("where are we now") is reasonably straightforward. The "how are we going to get there" bit results in a combination of trains to London, a hike across our capital city, the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William, and a bus via the Corran Ferry with an overnight stay at Salen as the hotel at the start point was fully booked, then the school bus the following morning to Acharacle.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But I'm getting ahead of myself. Before all this can happen there's the small matter of bagging up the food into the relevant parcels and sending them off to be collected by a ravenous hiker later on on the walk. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PGrilyj3lagY6Zdx75uP13Pxi21mpmlqqTuLd4AGOYEi0NGaEVzNR37G_R2w95KKj9qOYbhtp46MBKSLGCxQb9-VTeMJK6LVeYgJgBJblWHMn3Ihi5pHLjuxyrRCu8EqgHpzZYcllVedrQhLFb6TMFQhpRk3UC-qN3RHqPokB-3lki-KUjw/s3957/20220503_155612.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="3957" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PGrilyj3lagY6Zdx75uP13Pxi21mpmlqqTuLd4AGOYEi0NGaEVzNR37G_R2w95KKj9qOYbhtp46MBKSLGCxQb9-VTeMJK6LVeYgJgBJblWHMn3Ihi5pHLjuxyrRCu8EqgHpzZYcllVedrQhLFb6TMFQhpRk3UC-qN3RHqPokB-3lki-KUjw/w640-h236/20220503_155612.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CHOCOLATE, BREAKFAST BARS, TUNA, WRAPS, DEHYDRATED MEALS, SNACKS AND DRINKS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa_J6-M5OWXXsdY3Cf861cSDYGJP2abH2OLr0Y2za7-VCtMYVHrzoiXH9Mc2FGHUuRVxn016GQ8ndrHTNZ-4uixPeY1NbQL83udw9K5suKBGK3LG5SDVgsshAsKWeXfc-TxbehWXnpqs2kR6l8evfppNNdqq9m3jZQqs7abN5i4htFf7zJOg/s3867/20220505_154336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3867" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa_J6-M5OWXXsdY3Cf861cSDYGJP2abH2OLr0Y2za7-VCtMYVHrzoiXH9Mc2FGHUuRVxn016GQ8ndrHTNZ-4uixPeY1NbQL83udw9K5suKBGK3LG5SDVgsshAsKWeXfc-TxbehWXnpqs2kR6l8evfppNNdqq9m3jZQqs7abN5i4htFf7zJOg/w640-h358/20220505_154336.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DUTIFULLY BAGGED AND READY TO GO</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The new boots needed to be 'proofed with Nikwax (thank the Good Lord Himself I did this!) and kit gathered together for the first time in a year to be stuffed into waterproof bags inside another, larger, waterproof bag to then be stuffed inside my trusty rucksack.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB9utMNUCexYPP_K2Cf_UxPUGiBve3IU2zhTFrojnZYoZORIJ1sBXRBh1Qmr1vFE_qK40HZwtb3A4MX1ckzdGrDnd84pYHeVdfUJ6STCvCW962OzQHQnZ-RE9aXTJN2LZO_-41qPfZiwTtgJJt-R-VHtp5UYfuimumsqUCt5YnKr4EgBeBgU/s3700/20220509_113736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3700" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB9utMNUCexYPP_K2Cf_UxPUGiBve3IU2zhTFrojnZYoZORIJ1sBXRBh1Qmr1vFE_qK40HZwtb3A4MX1ckzdGrDnd84pYHeVdfUJ6STCvCW962OzQHQnZ-RE9aXTJN2LZO_-41qPfZiwTtgJJt-R-VHtp5UYfuimumsqUCt5YnKr4EgBeBgU/w524-h640/20220509_113736.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c2voDNv6RAtAT0kyFTAS8UyFoeDJz3J-K4hT1B5c_3O77WUXePjtp_SzsO03wPT0GehEQWS3D6756qOFP-e2uM_Ol8D1pKNjQMe71SBp5pCRNaYArkcZmWyObUeDpScYka8nRTInPbaWCkrix6enGjwUKUc7DEZsCa1bxC6ybeK8wwjdG-g/s3009/20220510_185313.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3009" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c2voDNv6RAtAT0kyFTAS8UyFoeDJz3J-K4hT1B5c_3O77WUXePjtp_SzsO03wPT0GehEQWS3D6756qOFP-e2uM_Ol8D1pKNjQMe71SBp5pCRNaYArkcZmWyObUeDpScYka8nRTInPbaWCkrix6enGjwUKUc7DEZsCa1bxC6ybeK8wwjdG-g/w640-h604/20220510_185313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IT ALL HAS TO FIT INSIDE THAT LITTLE GREY BAG.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">It never ceases to amaze me that it actually does fit in the tiny grey bag.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For those in the back pews fond of image intelligence, you'll note that the imitation white roses are missing a bloom. It is currently stuck in the innards of my Dyson. Any offers of help for its retrieval will be gratefully accepted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMZyOBhZILw1dWOf7VdzpX4hnXYK22qIzvnOO-NASXBPQGBHpEvLeLdciCMMtpUKARIkToircaRceJz1Q_tGnJWJsT6L0qfOR4unhtI2vUllFxyh0QmuMVAM1YQlEKtUC8tbr0fPyzsiNM3V7TA8SYCY6YcYh3litcA6jEujdsvuZh9-k5YI/s3771/20220511_132943~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3771" data-original-width="2786" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMZyOBhZILw1dWOf7VdzpX4hnXYK22qIzvnOO-NASXBPQGBHpEvLeLdciCMMtpUKARIkToircaRceJz1Q_tGnJWJsT6L0qfOR4unhtI2vUllFxyh0QmuMVAM1YQlEKtUC8tbr0fPyzsiNM3V7TA8SYCY6YcYh3litcA6jEujdsvuZh9-k5YI/w472-h640/20220511_132943~2.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">And that's how you now find me hogging two 'priority seats' on a suburban train heading for Britain's largest and busiest railway station in reasonably good order, but blessed with zero fitness, not having carried a pack for a full year and having done no training walks whatsoever.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQyjCAySLSdtQhnvLeHhg0iuv9MwhXoHVN_rTKXh0cnVhoHWOgYuaaNYZlY7W7Hftq_UNUNhlHAapECo_9ZbTkBEEWq3TQJemXakmKjTsKMgEZSi8RnSE-kp54DUXiB5c72b3Pts-ojq6DzzV_7jaJe5ZUuSQxYh1S37B7PkTAYG3YR8o2GE/s3648/20220511_171241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQyjCAySLSdtQhnvLeHhg0iuv9MwhXoHVN_rTKXh0cnVhoHWOgYuaaNYZlY7W7Hftq_UNUNhlHAapECo_9ZbTkBEEWq3TQJemXakmKjTsKMgEZSi8RnSE-kp54DUXiB5c72b3Pts-ojq6DzzV_7jaJe5ZUuSQxYh1S37B7PkTAYG3YR8o2GE/w480-h640/20220511_171241.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">It has to be said, I struggled like hell carrying my pack across the Jubilee Bridge and then up the long slow hill heading north away from the Thames towards Euston, which seems to have relocated itself to the top of a very steep hill since I last frequented that Architectural Horror.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcNpALCsKSmU66hGoewZ6tpZiQjPIS2O05Adr-QLm2hEon7ezIdaEUuOH2RsfL1WlV_q8aqTaWhTCDdHonrzd8ZKV2tsJz6xgt-RNeoVWOigbpghlRZ3fkCIvx-SbTx0FKMPwwQ-Imz-Q6LQXcr-ALmGLRFroXM0ZJ4qchnhCg-LVsOGGXbw/s3956/20220511_182654.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2488" data-original-width="3956" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcNpALCsKSmU66hGoewZ6tpZiQjPIS2O05Adr-QLm2hEon7ezIdaEUuOH2RsfL1WlV_q8aqTaWhTCDdHonrzd8ZKV2tsJz6xgt-RNeoVWOigbpghlRZ3fkCIvx-SbTx0FKMPwwQ-Imz-Q6LQXcr-ALmGLRFroXM0ZJ4qchnhCg-LVsOGGXbw/w640-h402/20220511_182654.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LONDON, FROM THE GOLDEN JUBILEE BRIDGE SPANNING THE THAMES</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHvhvDASSh4YSQ9Qs9YpDEAMzh0n1ZyLwxTkkQn3MXAILYjQBoIKaDPm5-fZI4z4Ay1L5iZmUGv11gWlmt2nlxCYN9vbtUgc6Yxlqfg8TqU6bFb3vhcqSDyx_MF4m-bu1o8lQw1VzyGGluT7pcCE5Np_yG8BH-gYe84m1aqKYaaKZ6aIFZJs/s3926/20220511_183631.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="3926" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHvhvDASSh4YSQ9Qs9YpDEAMzh0n1ZyLwxTkkQn3MXAILYjQBoIKaDPm5-fZI4z4Ay1L5iZmUGv11gWlmt2nlxCYN9vbtUgc6Yxlqfg8TqU6bFb3vhcqSDyx_MF4m-bu1o8lQw1VzyGGluT7pcCE5Np_yG8BH-gYe84m1aqKYaaKZ6aIFZJs/w640-h480/20220511_183631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TRAFALGAR SQUARE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I should charge for this albeit very brief, foot tour of London. By the halfway point in this epic footslog I was beginning to tire. Fortunately I recalled an excellent stopping-off point which also had the added advantage of selling food and drink. I made it through the doors as they were calling last orders for nourishment, and so snaffled an excellent haddock, chips and peas washed down with a couple of pints of London's finest muscle relaxant.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLCsSTbXv7JrJEt9zcA6DKlRuzxTpj4ZPv3elY8msMZPTO6dhaLpl3YXYNX1kM6hDJiK5x57S97VTrVoGZxgWViv0FvO-X7deqVl5yrBPqry8ucNj0zyTrydtHEDvAYxH-Whkp3kfpPbMO6JXsQ2JCAp3ZXSGdgnY-C0JJ4OOAH4oh3WWqVU/s4032/20220511_185606.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLCsSTbXv7JrJEt9zcA6DKlRuzxTpj4ZPv3elY8msMZPTO6dhaLpl3YXYNX1kM6hDJiK5x57S97VTrVoGZxgWViv0FvO-X7deqVl5yrBPqry8ucNj0zyTrydtHEDvAYxH-Whkp3kfpPbMO6JXsQ2JCAp3ZXSGdgnY-C0JJ4OOAH4oh3WWqVU/w480-h640/20220511_185606.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A LONDON PUB</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYin-6As8XDquiNKb-lGB48BTEIiTOsPi3Ztzqpg0QlWggxva0lHlMJtePrOcc1q1vM1E5zMjnRfj9PH7rI1xT5KvYgSJ0340DoePyCf1IPaVtD3azHNelJqfFaxLSuctPsSts9Z8-XTRqwbcwFAVKYuzb2oXys-___EwrlYqnHyhH3SOkDXc/s3648/20220511_190104.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYin-6As8XDquiNKb-lGB48BTEIiTOsPi3Ztzqpg0QlWggxva0lHlMJtePrOcc1q1vM1E5zMjnRfj9PH7rI1xT5KvYgSJ0340DoePyCf1IPaVtD3azHNelJqfFaxLSuctPsSts9Z8-XTRqwbcwFAVKYuzb2oXys-___EwrlYqnHyhH3SOkDXc/w480-h640/20220511_190104.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A RELAXED CHALLENGER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Last year, Paul and I very nearly missed the Sleeper to Inverness as the good people at Euston Station didn't let the travelling public know that the train was actually in the station and ready to depart. That was not going to happen this year, and so I strode away from the Plough with purpose and a new found dynamism. After a couple of hundred yards this foolishness abated and I was back to a steady plod, passing the British Museum and a few hidden gems along that way.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS90DHGPtu2al1RfWAAbDQelL7GqLPwLRik3-oxakDdJFkiaSz2QZ_5Q-ws6KGRPjxPO5rIY8wzk4NOPNHBvu7-BcQOMopXYont3CAKAagEiVX7tp6KOxUhd6hB1Wsd05r4HLvI52NaZw2001WIY45yFHPQfq7j2F0SgsR6vln820wpkFEQLw/s4032/20220511_195041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS90DHGPtu2al1RfWAAbDQelL7GqLPwLRik3-oxakDdJFkiaSz2QZ_5Q-ws6KGRPjxPO5rIY8wzk4NOPNHBvu7-BcQOMopXYont3CAKAagEiVX7tp6KOxUhd6hB1Wsd05r4HLvI52NaZw2001WIY45yFHPQfq7j2F0SgsR6vln820wpkFEQLw/w480-h640/20220511_195041.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MONTAGUE STREET</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL6XSqwTA59pCETjN52QeOQq4_SpQ7CCIyJs7WjwIrnAe3oo-LhsbLTlRLz_0iPaqSQpO3Odckv3KNB-bDVOFoKIaUtqT9Af3m3RiTTCgAf-3J8uHj41A8n7ljcks8IU_TxtiGT2OJxX4nLNR5-SnSK-vCwgSWYPqzxAqQucAeu02AMoaMlM/s2967/20220511_195525~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2924" data-original-width="2967" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL6XSqwTA59pCETjN52QeOQq4_SpQ7CCIyJs7WjwIrnAe3oo-LhsbLTlRLz_0iPaqSQpO3Odckv3KNB-bDVOFoKIaUtqT9Af3m3RiTTCgAf-3J8uHj41A8n7ljcks8IU_TxtiGT2OJxX4nLNR5-SnSK-vCwgSWYPqzxAqQucAeu02AMoaMlM/w640-h630/20220511_195525~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RUSSELL SQUARE CABMEN'S SHELTER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMJTNzC8XLkqKB45i6wv4UqmF6EGDVJAQ20AiPyQmpHMH1gRSZtPOhQoPTGQe9tZkErHDEenAoRsk409kXhZOyTS4NO2zdWZStnAtJiJbiJyDJvKV-uytiX2IlWfiRYaXPe17liY_QrGRIbUPv3sHbOtskZYU7l51zsXC3lUZmMcTQVtbkHs/s4032/20220511_200254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2703" data-original-width="4032" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMJTNzC8XLkqKB45i6wv4UqmF6EGDVJAQ20AiPyQmpHMH1gRSZtPOhQoPTGQe9tZkErHDEenAoRsk409kXhZOyTS4NO2zdWZStnAtJiJbiJyDJvKV-uytiX2IlWfiRYaXPe17liY_QrGRIbUPv3sHbOtskZYU7l51zsXC3lUZmMcTQVtbkHs/w640-h430/20220511_200254.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TAVISTOCK SQUARE: MAHATMA GANDHI</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ3XchYoIMjyUVKa44wBR9H_o7UBnEREwpdsrYcIVIREPoRFUQx_K5562I8wDhK-eJRE88C6NI8iCrWlbnID3oQ9zzCWgj29OGXsMqd4fP17IPx-HiifPOwe8X6KwCAkkuJvUmR3mmLJpReJzoI9JbOzvrJ4TV6WUoUA4N_JDdgO6Z6ix8Gw/s3725/20220511_200731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3725" data-original-width="2945" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ3XchYoIMjyUVKa44wBR9H_o7UBnEREwpdsrYcIVIREPoRFUQx_K5562I8wDhK-eJRE88C6NI8iCrWlbnID3oQ9zzCWgj29OGXsMqd4fP17IPx-HiifPOwe8X6KwCAkkuJvUmR3mmLJpReJzoI9JbOzvrJ4TV6WUoUA4N_JDdgO6Z6ix8Gw/w506-h640/20220511_200731.jpg" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ST PANCRAS NEW CHURCH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I made it to the unannounced platform with an hour to spare before departure and so was first in the queue for checking in to my rather nice berth. The staff on this service are extraordinarily efficient, polite and I would go as far as to say friendly. The train is modern, comfortable and clean, and the club class rooms come with an ensuite bathroom - a shower and loo. Travelling Club Class also gives you priority access to the Dining Car. All in all it's a very good experience and a first class way to travel to Scotland overnight. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiig672TEsMfG-Z4g0fk20ln4mTEO3CQQDIx2dvDHsUlA8F3oH4ckSF1B3iSE9Oe9nLLVJesdlfmYiAzBlZSC9uZuzlBLM79TDL5XculMxaJwjzz19CiKQ3MeJFiTD7WdQso2dm3keN0LTLLAQ23A2yoIEpOZZsinHQLqsN8DD3UdH-eucMk/s3630/20220511_201743.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3630" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiig672TEsMfG-Z4g0fk20ln4mTEO3CQQDIx2dvDHsUlA8F3oH4ckSF1B3iSE9Oe9nLLVJesdlfmYiAzBlZSC9uZuzlBLM79TDL5XculMxaJwjzz19CiKQ3MeJFiTD7WdQso2dm3keN0LTLLAQ23A2yoIEpOZZsinHQLqsN8DD3UdH-eucMk/w534-h640/20220511_201743.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE BOWELS OF UGLY, UGLY, EUSTON STATION & THE CALEDONIAN SLEEPER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKAOzSCjKfZyV1-QqnCtermk6kJgnz-EYsYJPrxP3Vy5pqK7bZ3YCMSYdsldEj8Ldvks1fnNOFSBTKJSAfvGzB5HPXYn1ubbLEbyq7Wfrsbco3ZB1iNTOMD3so9CivIGI1MJGKm-OzSFadwHC4UnTSHHAZUTsLGPxBR8-h4FT833BPKDzOSg/s3918/20220511_204345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3918" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKAOzSCjKfZyV1-QqnCtermk6kJgnz-EYsYJPrxP3Vy5pqK7bZ3YCMSYdsldEj8Ldvks1fnNOFSBTKJSAfvGzB5HPXYn1ubbLEbyq7Wfrsbco3ZB1iNTOMD3so9CivIGI1MJGKm-OzSFadwHC4UnTSHHAZUTsLGPxBR8-h4FT833BPKDzOSg/w494-h640/20220511_204345.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">BREAKFAST CARD</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="399" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QptNvLU0mZc" width="479" youtube-src-id="QptNvLU0mZc"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">SLIPPING OUT OF THE EUSTON HELL-HOLE ON MY WAY TO FORT WILLIAM</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4gRaWstrwW8nOlZoea3f65ayLB8YugwjmhlrBecCj-CPLY1J-RuWwf-yHzySnjvwktZafLZbWvmzLAopgA-6v1wpbgQE4xWcIFBIozDzdQXF_IaH6Za9MJfBbOlmGzqIKEQfnZQ1xo0CsEu4FrLOXIjvmAuK0KJB_inWHkvRz9Ic8jokiIo/s2898/20220511_213333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="2898" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4gRaWstrwW8nOlZoea3f65ayLB8YugwjmhlrBecCj-CPLY1J-RuWwf-yHzySnjvwktZafLZbWvmzLAopgA-6v1wpbgQE4xWcIFBIozDzdQXF_IaH6Za9MJfBbOlmGzqIKEQfnZQ1xo0CsEu4FrLOXIjvmAuK0KJB_inWHkvRz9Ic8jokiIo/w640-h638/20220511_213333.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DINING CAR DESSERT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscmqDRJN_BBRy4ZkwIce-5R58WOCssi9IXC-Iy74g4fRjq_JOdq_dTnU_JHNYhSr3RxCnaTCQWnkRR_oJkGQ7px19w7qCdCSFnJLY57MlxSiUHU6th_XAuxveh8ldBtijEHWrr-k8Z8D6a7HVUH6XeZxaXPEmYNZBg3iq-IPHZhuj9am9Tqk/s3221/20220511_215353.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2966" data-original-width="3221" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscmqDRJN_BBRy4ZkwIce-5R58WOCssi9IXC-Iy74g4fRjq_JOdq_dTnU_JHNYhSr3RxCnaTCQWnkRR_oJkGQ7px19w7qCdCSFnJLY57MlxSiUHU6th_XAuxveh8ldBtijEHWrr-k8Z8D6a7HVUH6XeZxaXPEmYNZBg3iq-IPHZhuj9am9Tqk/w640-h590/20220511_215353.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">POST DINNER SNIFTER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I woke up as we climbed softly up the floating railway from Rannoch Station to Corrour. Rain was brushing the windows as I tucked in to a Full Highland Breakfast. I thought about the dozens of Challengers who were already walking through this weather as this year there was an elongated staggered start. Usually most Challengers start on a Friday, but for this year's larger entry and problems with Covid, Challengers were encouraged to start on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I'll write more on this later. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Leaving the station at Ft William I decided to head for the coffee shop above Nevis Sports to re-sort my pack for the stuff I needed for today and have a leisurely morning doing sod-all. That's always a good plan on a journey. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fort Bill is not a wildly attractive town at the best of times but the wind and rain make it pretty ghastly; I was far better off indoors. Countless cream buns and white coffees later as I watched the weather worsen from a light drizzle to thrashing wind blown rain, I climbed aboard the Shiel Buses service to Salen. I have nothing but good things to say about this company. The driver seemed to know everyone and diverted slightly from the route to deliver the less-able to their front doors. After a very pleasant journey he then delivered me almost to the front door of my B&B. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IP6NmvnF480uhOm3EBacfuX6-zzoxalgZ8wXW_5F1dCg6rPp1WaIzWkqQWDFgyG4kZ1kFV4DA1AOkPDItnmaBqkRHx6_2-MRu9KEChbZ8ypVONAjybGPc21GiGP7KfyHw5iXogr8jJwF9SZWuXla_H-XAcz6UArmxIV1BUsLMWFxzjIgkSE/s4032/20220512_152325.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="4032" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IP6NmvnF480uhOm3EBacfuX6-zzoxalgZ8wXW_5F1dCg6rPp1WaIzWkqQWDFgyG4kZ1kFV4DA1AOkPDItnmaBqkRHx6_2-MRu9KEChbZ8ypVONAjybGPc21GiGP7KfyHw5iXogr8jJwF9SZWuXla_H-XAcz6UArmxIV1BUsLMWFxzjIgkSE/w640-h384/20220512_152325.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">AN OVERCAST, COLD AND BLOWY SCOTLAND FROM OUTSIDE MY B&B AT SALEN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Ready or not, I'm here. The weather is grim. I'm unfit, I'm unprepared and I'm overweight. <div>What could possibly go wrong?</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></div><br />Here's one of my all-time favourites. They don't write them like this anymore.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J8hjEYTpwE8" width="631" youtube-src-id="J8hjEYTpwE8"></iframe></div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the chilly hours and minutes of uncertainty</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to be in the warm heart of your loving mind</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">To feel you all around me</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And to take your hand along the sand</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When sundown pales the sky</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to hide a while behind your smile</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me to love you now, would be the sweetest thing</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">T'would make me sing</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When rain has hung the leaves with tears</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want you near, to kill my fears</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">To help me to leave all my blues behind</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Standing in your heart is where I want to be</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I long to be</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #030303; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #eeeeee; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: 0px; color: #030303; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind</span></span></p></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-32239522998091573392022-05-04T23:16:00.005+01:002022-05-11T00:01:25.977+01:00Peter Shepherd<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ask any TGO Challenger and they'll tell you they'll never forget their first Challenge. And so it was with Peter Shepherd and me. We started this madness in 1995. I had lost my walking partner at Blair Atholl and had bumped into Peter at the Fife Arms in Braemar and then again at Tarfside, from where we walked together to the coast at St Cyrus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQCuV0BAfrfB86kNGXitWqfjppMtd3hfypnii2M1Oc5hs8rzdlW-TFslbtliI0JFrz_vGIhEuLdbYh-9wJ75K4FWMWbsuQu5n6jgcUQFNLArpQ1oXUlmjqc6T9KgIzvPVo-PfGk9cPVBoOwTD8lT1PFym4rl5NYePGT2rPf62TuyT49AEqDg/s611/GOC2004-108_08475.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="611" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQCuV0BAfrfB86kNGXitWqfjppMtd3hfypnii2M1Oc5hs8rzdlW-TFslbtliI0JFrz_vGIhEuLdbYh-9wJ75K4FWMWbsuQu5n6jgcUQFNLArpQ1oXUlmjqc6T9KgIzvPVo-PfGk9cPVBoOwTD8lT1PFym4rl5NYePGT2rPf62TuyT49AEqDg/w640-h502/GOC2004-108_08475.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">There was some awful news this morning on the TGO Challenge Facebook Group:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>It is with great sadness we pass on news that Peter Shepherd has died. Known to many simply as "Morpeth" Pete was one of life's gentle and kind people - always willing to listen but more than capable of telling some good tales too! </i><i>He completed 16 crossings between 1995 and 2013. The first eight were solo but then teaming up with Mick Hopkins aka "Croydon".</i></p><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>He will be much missed. Our thoughts are with Diana and his family.</i></div></i></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div></i></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">I've lost too many friends, and a sister recently and I've become more positive about their passing. I now focus on all the good times we have shared and learn from them so I can have a better time in what remains of my own life. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've loads of stories I could tell about Peter but I'll leave you with just the one:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Phil and I were on our way from the River Loyne and heading to the Tomdoun Hotel. We'd just hit the tarmac and found Peter camped up at the side of the road with barely three or four miles to the oasis that was the hotel, with its excellent food, beer and a magnificent top shelf. Peter was adamant. He was knackered and wasn't moving an inch further.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Three hours later and Phil and I were still in the bar, not having made it to our rooms, when Morpeth burst through the door, with a thirst on. We were the last in the bar as he left into the pitch black of the night headed back up the road to his Akto.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Next morning as we were tucking into our breakfast in the faded grandeur of the dining room, in walked Peter. Before he had even sat down he exclaimed "A seagull has stolen my teeth!"</p><p style="text-align: justify;">He went on to explain that before crashing out he had tucked his false teeth by the door of his inner tent, then first thing in the morning as he was 'stretching his legs' he heard a commotion at his tent and watched in horror as a seagull picked up his teeth and flew off into the Highlands.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Every year since, Phil & I took a keen interest in every gull we spotted to see if they sported Peter's gleaming smile.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here are some pictures of Peter in his pomp on the Challenge and on a few PreWalkDaunders. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cheers Peter. I'll miss you.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI45kDLlrp2cIGmusZkemFMttPLrWf1DH3F2aX-0RfuOe-ZXpPBhGxNcv-81AbL2yOA_pyGezjtJzHLRa4-a5ebt36pcyIIq1SdGDSmHFhwN5DxbeJC0m5NmaCX1-Q4mVTj3Z4MF6f5Zz8P15hXR24d7ML74OLJ9L1pbOlv8ci4KWTJbcBMXk/s640/DAY%2055-IMG_0551.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI45kDLlrp2cIGmusZkemFMttPLrWf1DH3F2aX-0RfuOe-ZXpPBhGxNcv-81AbL2yOA_pyGezjtJzHLRa4-a5ebt36pcyIIq1SdGDSmHFhwN5DxbeJC0m5NmaCX1-Q4mVTj3Z4MF6f5Zz8P15hXR24d7ML74OLJ9L1pbOlv8ci4KWTJbcBMXk/w640-h480/DAY%2055-IMG_0551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAow4pbJdBtu-zkyKl_e03oG6Tac5eA5SVCFiRueciJJ2dup7UmR3PiO0lCJvvjypTOHkJKghMRrlbfaWA9Ydh4CrALyGEVxiq2TRFDOCKTWI225emXLzYCf1YF7zcVZOs1r42NYdp8eeFCGko-_RUSg96BUlUsgT-lFCVDnfJ2cZWPiOS6pM/s614/IMG_1548%5B13%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1739" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21qfO1id_ZLdM7tsLUoH8l8JQzZezDXHerC-K5SSDgPrnQR9rFHzmskSr0gaDUd4G-KquAwOvdakekP_5ALgzaNtOnTd2lO7aTJh1gYELyrs7DQHo58FykCFT9ZIEDb5ogqzPNNskWqlnH0NWJO1iD9bOcvuDKmUl_LcZezEUqrjNNMAt50Q/w640-h390/PWD20060013a%5B6%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEoVqg1dGY2JVE0R7U-8H4h2d6RGueKZ6uMe45etWJOtp4P7p0ssthNn4zCVlGyu8adbadIHIYeFKNGZVEWjV5ahMbDQ5KX5JuUerdq0Iidn4-cmc2hsdSyKZn9s681qpQ3rbc2mGKHxBBT3ExGj8fMQZAXRZi0GfOoweWhKrbGVmnK2mBFg/s1200/IMG_33986.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEoVqg1dGY2JVE0R7U-8H4h2d6RGueKZ6uMe45etWJOtp4P7p0ssthNn4zCVlGyu8adbadIHIYeFKNGZVEWjV5ahMbDQ5KX5JuUerdq0Iidn4-cmc2hsdSyKZn9s681qpQ3rbc2mGKHxBBT3ExGj8fMQZAXRZi0GfOoweWhKrbGVmnK2mBFg/w640-h428/IMG_33986.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PETER IS ON THE WALL</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCBu313Xho_VHxBgv7zJpwauy97TIyZ2SWP5dB_kc8H__lkNGqWsUnUZpYUQ3Z8MjPRjrTkwBBo9RVl83soopev41RDjYeL2-tGU5AiA7RhkWEq7iDa8X4o8nKPTVslyI5pLSonL2RBHSDEoF8ao-F5PRr2nuUrMJdmGUVlMMFKsBHZjJrO0/s1642/GOC2004-108_08505.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1642" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCBu313Xho_VHxBgv7zJpwauy97TIyZ2SWP5dB_kc8H__lkNGqWsUnUZpYUQ3Z8MjPRjrTkwBBo9RVl83soopev41RDjYeL2-tGU5AiA7RhkWEq7iDa8X4o8nKPTVslyI5pLSonL2RBHSDEoF8ao-F5PRr2nuUrMJdmGUVlMMFKsBHZjJrO0/w640-h470/GOC2004-108_08505.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PERHAPS MY FAVOURITE: ME, MORPETH & CROYDON AT ST CYRUS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-21874396100148515232022-04-27T20:24:00.000+01:002022-04-27T20:24:07.527+01:00TGO Challenge 2022: An army marches on its stomach<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">You're somewhere in the Scottish Highlands, miles from anywhere. It's MAMBA country: Miles And Miles of Bugger All. It's three o'clock and it's been pissing down all day, with a buffeting cold wind coming right at you. Earlier, you managed a surprise dunking in the raging torrent that had barely warranted a second glance when you planned your route. Even your shreddies are soaking. A glance at the map reveals it's at least another couple of hours of sploshing uphill against this stream that identifies as a path until you reach your campsite, that at the time you had thought could be a bit tight, but at least it's close to the burn... Okay then, it might be more than a couple of hours. In your mind's eye you visualise four hundred other lost souls, all equally battered, soaked and demoralised heading in an easterly direction</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now is the time for everyone to banish all negative thoughts and think about your wonderfully squidgy sleeping bag and a hissing stove boiling up the water for soup and a tasty evening meal. Your mind slips into your happy place as the external slog continues seemingly elsewhere.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to the TGO Challenge. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz6HhQ8RLU3JDPa9feCDSPnP--EjlEIJZ7Uz-pVAeZ7lN3Tx5TEqRknRHW8IcDal-apdZapiWK7hlPivcnu4mkEfYxBYbR9M7Tn0I0MMmNIrUPuuX0F5A3LOjACe0mL7hSvQ4s1XXvwC649BPOqzXxHq0nKacVYpG3y5nb0qfWS8UOraxFhk/s4896/109-0342_35337713631_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz6HhQ8RLU3JDPa9feCDSPnP--EjlEIJZ7Uz-pVAeZ7lN3Tx5TEqRknRHW8IcDal-apdZapiWK7hlPivcnu4mkEfYxBYbR9M7Tn0I0MMmNIrUPuuX0F5A3LOjACe0mL7hSvQ4s1XXvwC649BPOqzXxHq0nKacVYpG3y5nb0qfWS8UOraxFhk/w640-h480/109-0342_35337713631_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A BREAK IN THE WEATHER: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I don't know how other Challengers feel about it but food is important. To me it's not just fuel; I can't abide the idea of stuffing energy bars, over-sweetened drinks and other such crap down my throat. There's no pleasure to be found there. I need to have something I can look forward to, with a bit of texture, taste and colour, that smells like you want to climb inside the packet and roll around in its glorious contents, gurgling with happiness like a child.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">No? That is not weird! It's my happiness, not yours. But let's go back to the middle of that cold, rain and windswept misery in the middle of the Highlands. In order to be able to look forward to your upcoming feast you need to have it all arranged beforehand. Organisation is important. This is how I've been doing it for the last twenty five years or so:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnpc75WYLOVnikK0X1HTlU-xM_lwPvlQsr6Pe68aItsWa3BRP98ZxkobBFPVEIVcU7zcWWijlJpDkd01mV_vLhg2pY4u9_B_DAyo_dALyze-zkBpoAYlKG59-d_NbXYvclExw3wScrl08pcaqcyNkCCNFwy-Bz_vCwbmaXzQpD_pOPVTi-hM/s3739/20220427_144240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="2673" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnpc75WYLOVnikK0X1HTlU-xM_lwPvlQsr6Pe68aItsWa3BRP98ZxkobBFPVEIVcU7zcWWijlJpDkd01mV_vLhg2pY4u9_B_DAyo_dALyze-zkBpoAYlKG59-d_NbXYvclExw3wScrl08pcaqcyNkCCNFwy-Bz_vCwbmaXzQpD_pOPVTi-hM/w458-h640/20220427_144240.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I walked from Land's End to John o' Groats fifteen years ago and decided to ignore the expense and bought my favourite dehydrated main meals made by Real Turmat for every night spent outdoors. It was a massive walk of some 1,700 miles in just shy of four months; and that decision was absolutely spot on. For reasons already discussed in the previous blog posts, this year might well be a physical struggle and so I'm going with Real Turmat once more, as I may well need a bit of cheering up come the evening. The hand drawn page above let me know that I needed to buy six of the little darlings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I can become a little tired of breakfast bars and so occasionally swap them out for puddings which can be an excellent start to the day. So my order went off to <a href="https://basecampfood.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Basecamp Food</span></a> for six Real Turmat Mains and three puddings which arrived in the post today. The're a very efficient outfit who offer TGO Challengers a decent discount to support the event.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Since my first Challenge in 1995 with my schoolmate Bob Butler, I've done quite a few solo TGO Challenges and of course my solo LEJOG - which I suppose can be looked at as eight or so TGOs done back to back, in terms of time spent walking. I'm happy in my own skin and see any company I bump into along the way as a bonus. However, when you're walking on your own it's all too easy to whizz along and not take rest stops. This results in a very tired bunny come the evening. An excellent way to avoid this, weather permitting, is to promise yourself a brew stop and a good lunch stop each day. This ensures you get a couple of decent breaks and some proper rehydration, with time to actually let your surroundings sink in and to enjoy your holiday.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I started backpacking when I was around twelve years old, sent on small expeditions in the Scouts with a tiny canvas Rover Hike Tent. By the time I was fourteen, I was tackling the Pennine Way (my brother Dave was twelve) in a Blacks of Greenock Good Companions 'A' tent, in Egyptian Cotton. Our stove was a one pint Primus paraffin pressure stove. As long as you looked after it, it would never let you down and was virtually impervious to the wind. I still have the beast, and it still works. But time moves on and better stoves came on the market which I adopted readily. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm not a great fan of windshields around canister-top stoves as I find them clumsy affairs and consequently leave them at home on long trips. This does mean that making a brew during the day takes quite a bit longer and uses up considerably more fuel. When walking with Phil, I invariably ponce hot water from his much quicker set-up. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp09rKrS1bzykbmXnFty8MI5Fqdr1OrX76rg3zSmvi9_69c-t3bTQ4BXTFum-tGC8YXLMGdc2KFKEV7Gwrx8M62I_FTjv82g54T54DS7gbUD3YRx1ps9hmL26_pvu5IHtI7pU1sh-K4xkDlFPuWRD_qb4Biow-wbOqINJyy2wU8KRlBR7xA8/s4348/1070329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3295" data-original-width="4348" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp09rKrS1bzykbmXnFty8MI5Fqdr1OrX76rg3zSmvi9_69c-t3bTQ4BXTFum-tGC8YXLMGdc2KFKEV7Gwrx8M62I_FTjv82g54T54DS7gbUD3YRx1ps9hmL26_pvu5IHtI7pU1sh-K4xkDlFPuWRD_qb4Biow-wbOqINJyy2wU8KRlBR7xA8/w640-h486/1070329.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MARKILL STOVE ( FIFTEEN YEARS OLD) & MSR TITANIUM KETTLE (26 YEARS OLD): CLICK TO ENLARGE</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">In the picture above, you can see the set-up I've used since 1996. It worked well in the porch of my Hilleberg Akto and also, with a little care, inside Wanda Warmilte. Obviously it was splendid beneath Trinnie Trailstar, as shown above, as there is loads of space and excellent ventilation.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bearing in mind that I wanted daytime brews, for my 2019 Challenge I bought, at conspicuous expense, an MSR Windburner. This boiled water at an amazing speed and seemed impervious to almost howling gales. Here it is below:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDaJUa2u5zgTIUK7Ay2JEkOQkPREsC5MBNkSVCQs_oaTRhdJUl3EItBODOp7iefCeFd76KDtIX4yNqaRfZloDt-GScZk3r8LrUHaV6Oo-pX6l8O1Dq3L0mVoaFqtrX9t6tHy0u90XzDVg3qsJN_o1w02329S0Ioc_1gA3JSxeg97z6rggQWw/s3648/IMG_20190517_203911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDaJUa2u5zgTIUK7Ay2JEkOQkPREsC5MBNkSVCQs_oaTRhdJUl3EItBODOp7iefCeFd76KDtIX4yNqaRfZloDt-GScZk3r8LrUHaV6Oo-pX6l8O1Dq3L0mVoaFqtrX9t6tHy0u90XzDVg3qsJN_o1w02329S0Ioc_1gA3JSxeg97z6rggQWw/w640-h480/IMG_20190517_203911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MSR WINDBURNER STOVE, 3 YEARS OLD: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I was very impressed with the build quality and the engineering behind this little darling but was very conscious of its very high centre of gravity. In short, I was concerned that on anything other than almost level ground the beast might topple over with the slightest knock, as it's a rigid monolith. With my original set up, knocking the kettle might tip the kettle, with the possibility of either spilling the kettle or it settling back in place on the stove. It's a far more stable system. The old system was also a fair bit lighter.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This left me unsatisfied. Unsatisfied, that is, until I found a far more wind resistant canister-top stove, that had the advantage over my old stove of a superior pressure system device that provides a constant flow of gas, irrespective of how much is in the canister or the ambient temperature.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I placed an order for a new <a href="https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/brands/soto/stoves/windmaster-w-micro-regulator" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Soto Windmaster</span></a> with micro regulator & protected igniter with the awfully nice Mark at <a href="https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw06OTBhC_ARIsAAU1yOXAFVtMNPA1sfPvM7wTGBms3tB1dNFC3iUeaqiQvfa3tGNHpD7xjm8aAiHtEALw_wcB" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Valley and Peak</span></a>, who I've known through the blogosphere for far too many years to mention, and he very kindly despatched it in a very speedy fashion.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcR55fe9s3ndUQIimguPgvSq30EJjFZAq81hmb8MkuvtpvBNLFbQkVv60C_mq3-UWa4KLr8qGDb7iEUJojr0DJSR-FcKC5emjArMnMzrwUuGjLV8ch3E5i5KF-Xb1_6Emg1Oca01AzYQ-HSAW-tEKwz-0JP2L2bddqGLsm3IpffYIHOtdHro/s800/OD-1RXN_7-8x8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcR55fe9s3ndUQIimguPgvSq30EJjFZAq81hmb8MkuvtpvBNLFbQkVv60C_mq3-UWa4KLr8qGDb7iEUJojr0DJSR-FcKC5emjArMnMzrwUuGjLV8ch3E5i5KF-Xb1_6Emg1Oca01AzYQ-HSAW-tEKwz-0JP2L2bddqGLsm3IpffYIHOtdHro/w400-h400/OD-1RXN_7-8x8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SOTO WINDMASTER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">It fits perfectly inside my MSR titanium mug, that fits inside the MSR titanium kettle, along with an emergency lighter to be a very light compact unit. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NoIXaA-PBqAeHioXFD4Me-m9aIQxo1D2nT2_dlgkXY73BMH3ApCFo10JxKVAjmTCAv5RI0HAYC694bhUbN0bfq1tEmJeyVb_Nq6p6LP8h6ywQDmOfaI4Kn9y4sBk9YSmt3miSLqVd19BkoSaRXML-6OFXaUHAo_HqYIb62N5ws30aEfxZvE/s4032/20220427_141954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2798" data-original-width="4032" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NoIXaA-PBqAeHioXFD4Me-m9aIQxo1D2nT2_dlgkXY73BMH3ApCFo10JxKVAjmTCAv5RI0HAYC694bhUbN0bfq1tEmJeyVb_Nq6p6LP8h6ywQDmOfaI4Kn9y4sBk9YSmt3miSLqVd19BkoSaRXML-6OFXaUHAo_HqYIb62N5ws30aEfxZvE/w640-h444/20220427_141954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MY PRECIOUS THINGS... CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">All that remains to be done on the food front for the Challenge is to buy the necessaries for breakfasts, lunches and trail snacks and parcel them up to send off to the various B&B's on the route.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I may not be an army marching on its stomach but I'll be well fed without carrying too much excess, apart from that of my burgeoning belly, but that's been a problem for too many years and is getting more difficult to shift as age marches on relentlessly.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="546" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kBYHwH1Vb-c" width="657" youtube-src-id="kBYHwH1Vb-c"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-16734529450856579192022-04-22T23:20:00.006+01:002022-04-23T11:19:31.337+01:00TGO Challenge 2022: Acharacle to St Cyrus, Solo<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2XcD0ejqM-y6FyoNY1JjzZLwaIUkxInygnKxd-tZuRY81ejRAphma3xgYjjVodaizi82Q2CVMpGtdrjyEN3S0gtHAp0Q26l0WyXVtaeORpRrCNtWNPHT56PTAG7bsx5YPqCw-wMz92aNZHYZPXMTfI0jdEzeKhqSyqq0lv7pcRE1InABygo/s4896/1070753.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3447" data-original-width="4896" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2XcD0ejqM-y6FyoNY1JjzZLwaIUkxInygnKxd-tZuRY81ejRAphma3xgYjjVodaizi82Q2CVMpGtdrjyEN3S0gtHAp0Q26l0WyXVtaeORpRrCNtWNPHT56PTAG7bsx5YPqCw-wMz92aNZHYZPXMTfI0jdEzeKhqSyqq0lv7pcRE1InABygo/w640-h450/1070753.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PHIL, AKA LORD ELPUS: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As you will have noticed from the TGO Challenge Countdown Clock to the right, there are not many days now - just twenty as I type this on the laptop - before I hoist my pack and leave Acharacle on the west coast for a two week walk across Scotland to the east coast. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whenever I wrote that in the past on this blog, it always induced a frisson of excitement, wondering what each day would bring, wondering how the weather would affect each day, and wondering who I would bump into enroute. For the last twenty or so years I would invariably share these experiences with a man who I could totally rely on to be there, whatever misfortune befell us. I've known Phil for well over thirty years. We have a lot in common; we walk at a similar pace and have similar views on a great deal in life. Whenever we reach a difficult spot on a walk, whether through tiredness or difficult terrain or the old unexpected, we understand implicitly how the other is likely to be feeling and make allowances and adjustments without ever having to think about it. In short, he's my perfect walking companion. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't get me wrong. I've walked with others and have had a wonderful time, but there has never been that automatic, unthinking understanding.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year I am having to readjust psychologically in a pretty major way, as it's doubtful that Phil will ever walk another TGO Challenge. I'm going to miss him like hell; it will be like having my right arm cut off. However, I won't be able to shake the old bastard off quite yet as he has been the principal architect of this year's route. He has also organised the transport to Scotland and back and the accommodation along the walk. I'll be walking his route and hopefully through the blog and the occasional social media post, he'll enjoy the inevitable moments of schadenfreude as things go tits-up. We do enjoy another's misfortune from the comparative comfort of a safe spot, preferably with a glass of the good stuff at hand.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If that wasn't enough, to add a little extra excitement this year, over the last seven weeks I've had three different surgeons correcting various anomalies that have cropped up with my health that were a direct consequence of having two kidney transplants over the last nine years. Consequently I've not been out for a single training walk this year, and it's unlikely that I will before the Challenge. This also meant that I had to miss out on the annual PreWalkDaunder, that took place in the Yorkshire Dales, that I had organised myself before the required trips into the body shop were on the horizon. I did manage a two mile shuffle around town yesterday to test out various meshes, stitches and my balance. It went okay and upon returning home I slumped on my sofa with a decent measure in a glass to celebrate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was celebrating, right enough, as after the second operation it had felt like the Challenge would be impossible, yet four weeks later I was out and about. Another twenty days? Pah! A doddle! I'm going to have a go at four miles tomorrow. I'll just have to get fit on the Challenge.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">So with the comfort of Phil looking over my shoulder this year, here's a peek at our route:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX_qms7OaafLp3YgZ5Ee_2aA2lmhbZty9CcPGFSvDCsdGy447r0pBTUkU9BNeC7HDaAke7BFH7TsRlOPndmNObs4Jowj7X3SZmsbHwVmUlS8pDSzgP1sC5PA18plu3ILz7VrFA73qtm3PJiU98hbsMJgdclcBmp0eKwNFlCOs_GegDxT43ak/s1771/Screenshot%202022-04-21%20144750.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1771" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX_qms7OaafLp3YgZ5Ee_2aA2lmhbZty9CcPGFSvDCsdGy447r0pBTUkU9BNeC7HDaAke7BFH7TsRlOPndmNObs4Jowj7X3SZmsbHwVmUlS8pDSzgP1sC5PA18plu3ILz7VrFA73qtm3PJiU98hbsMJgdclcBmp0eKwNFlCOs_GegDxT43ak/w640-h298/Screenshot%202022-04-21%20144750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ACHARACLE TO ST CYRUS - ROUTE OVERVIEW: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">And here it is at a Road Atlas scale, in three chunks with overlaps. The days alternate in red and black.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ic2ZeU9hzo4a1lkx4kGCTSV_Lh0N5ieYlVemPp9LxTVM7yxLZcUhR2YQGzWExXhp-xD6IA2HnZ58XFwTzdqz8MBErsjziusEQ6H40v20lCZ7hhTCvA8kGxA88uy2KHEU6xoHvOe5oNwDmpK4BGIaZa2fRceQICIxdlXAH8-OvKWtQyJXVx4/s1897/TGOC2022%201of3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1897" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ic2ZeU9hzo4a1lkx4kGCTSV_Lh0N5ieYlVemPp9LxTVM7yxLZcUhR2YQGzWExXhp-xD6IA2HnZ58XFwTzdqz8MBErsjziusEQ6H40v20lCZ7hhTCvA8kGxA88uy2KHEU6xoHvOe5oNwDmpK4BGIaZa2fRceQICIxdlXAH8-OvKWtQyJXVx4/w640-h300/TGOC2022%201of3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAYS 1 - 5: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">The observant amongst the congregation will notice that on Day One there's gap - that's a ferry crossing of Loch Shiel, which reminds me, that's another job for tomorrow's list. There's also another ferry to be taken, at the start of the third day, across the Corran Narrows. From there it's terra firma all the way to St Cyrus on the east coast. From Lundavra through to Glen Nevis with a little piece of route magic from Phil, then a good walk through to Corrour and onwards to Loch Rannoch.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp23XIUl1D4O-N6TG229SzhP80E1M-iPRt3xrv_kwYdtAIB2O5vAk1oL0IRQtJmfDU-_yAOsFtmLV4yCx2_piANDLEz_ogAOgxCQZRJgQBCpzjm_-xPjBPmgPmnFzPF7tgkUpABFeDML9wMUQiJBw7FkW8GkHZKWF6GDvwlkbxRDnwx50pUo/s1892/TGOC2022%202of3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1892" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp23XIUl1D4O-N6TG229SzhP80E1M-iPRt3xrv_kwYdtAIB2O5vAk1oL0IRQtJmfDU-_yAOsFtmLV4yCx2_piANDLEz_ogAOgxCQZRJgQBCpzjm_-xPjBPmgPmnFzPF7tgkUpABFeDML9wMUQiJBw7FkW8GkHZKWF6GDvwlkbxRDnwx50pUo/w640-h296/TGOC2022%202of3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAYS 5 - 10: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">A nice twist after the loch and then onwards to Blair Atholl. I'm really looking forward to the next two day section to Braemar. I doubt I'll be bumping into too many here. I've booked a table at a good restaurant in Braemar to celebrate.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCO103Ai2DwRVLs67onKcfaP7sa221sVSjaFo8_Yalmx2892syZBKVhoACLu9HMHA2yEXnNokHQr8rS-Mg0-IFOLLepSfM8GEcJ-LumAB_USQfQnkcYneDu8I7gESa7W1q787jEt3Ai-AgOmDE4FZbGfEbZhbxcdtjMFx-6LjQ2kHylGRq7Fs/s1893/TGOC2022%203of3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1893" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCO103Ai2DwRVLs67onKcfaP7sa221sVSjaFo8_Yalmx2892syZBKVhoACLu9HMHA2yEXnNokHQr8rS-Mg0-IFOLLepSfM8GEcJ-LumAB_USQfQnkcYneDu8I7gESa7W1q787jEt3Ai-AgOmDE4FZbGfEbZhbxcdtjMFx-6LjQ2kHylGRq7Fs/w640-h300/TGOC2022%203of3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAYS 9 - 14: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">I'll be visiting Bill and Michael at Lochcallater Lodge for the first time in a number of years. Visiting the lodge always feels like going home, sitting in front of the fire with the very best of like-minded people. It's been too long. Then it's a nice walk over the tops to Glen Clova and up and over to Tarfside to join the Challenge trade route to the coast.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is one of Phil's masterpieces - a sensible first couple of days through some new territory for us, followed by some longer walks through spectacular mountain landscapes and then wild walking amongst Cairngorm giants. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Yes I'll be walking solo but Phil will be with me every step of the way.</p><p style="text-align: center;">*****</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And still, in the Spirit of Old Mortality, still sadly missed, are two of my favourites:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tORuEdknbWI" width="648" youtube-src-id="tORuEdknbWI"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="542" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qs8z1XZu2Nc" width="651" youtube-src-id="qs8z1XZu2Nc"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-55486976132305392382022-04-18T22:33:00.002+01:002022-04-18T23:08:57.392+01:00TGO Challenge 2021: Shiel Bridge to Lunan Bay: Index<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6TwbgzdfcNUMv3A2JjvqKeSeY8fQNRsewrRDDFZB9f3JgMa8I2iUidpqqR4G56G4bMrFm619Bqrh5ubwj0hBqAHHgbZdK_tn1_42WBsybNx4yVXJU5bFETiRuE1iwzFXhZK1EOpuYjHP08Y-1iLg9faQTvhaOJIKHV_RHUct_gmeZ9wBJLhI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="718" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6TwbgzdfcNUMv3A2JjvqKeSeY8fQNRsewrRDDFZB9f3JgMa8I2iUidpqqR4G56G4bMrFm619Bqrh5ubwj0hBqAHHgbZdK_tn1_42WBsybNx4yVXJU5bFETiRuE1iwzFXhZK1EOpuYjHP08Y-1iLg9faQTvhaOJIKHV_RHUct_gmeZ9wBJLhI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-size: 14.3px;">Here's a handy index to sift out the TGO Challenge posts from the rest of the blog. It pulls together all the posts for my 2021 crossing. You can click on each post - they're in chronological order - and the corresponding blog post will open in a new window.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/10/tgo-challenge-2021-shiel-bridge-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">THE PROLOGUE</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/10/tgo-challenge-2021-to-sheil-bridge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAYS ZERO</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/10/tgo-challenge-2021-shiel-bridge-to-glen.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY ONE: TO GLEN AFFRIC</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/10/tgo-challenge-2021-day-2-to-allt-chroinn.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY TWO: TO ALLT A' CHROINN</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/10/tgo-challenge-2021-day-3-to-fort.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY THREE: TO FT AUGUSTUS</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/10/tgo-challenge-2021-day-4-to-river-spey.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY FOUR: TO THE RIVER SPEY</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/10/tgo-challenge-2021-day-5-to-glen-banchor.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY FIVE: TO GLEN BANCHOR</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/11/tgo-challenge-2021-day-6-to-kingussie.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY SIX: TO KINGUSSIE</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/11/tgo-challenge-2021-day-7-to-glen-feshie.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY SEVEN: TO GLEN FESHIE</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/11/tgo-challenge-2021-day-8-to-tomnamoine.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY EIGHT: TO TOMNAMOINE</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/11/tgo-challenge-2021-day-9-to-braemar.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY NINE: TO BRAEMAR</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/11/tgo-challenge-2021-to-loch-callater.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY TEN: TO LOCH CALLATER</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2021/12/tgo-challenge-2021-day-10-to-clova-hotel.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY ELEVEN: TO CLOVA HOTEL</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2022/04/tgo-challenge-2021-day-12-to-conlawer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAY TWELVE: TO CONLAWER HILL</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2022/04/tgo-challenge-2021-days-13-14-to-lunan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">DAYS THIRTEEN & FOURTEN: TO LUNAN BAY</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;">It's taken me quite a while to get all 2021's posts put together and it's been fun. I hope you enjoy it as well.</div><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;">If you're thinking of applying for the TGO Challenge for the first time and you have any questions you'd like to ask please feel free to get in touch. You can get hold of me by using the Contact Form at the bottom of this blog's right hand column. I'm always glad to help.</div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="545" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wP8A9rtg0iI" width="658" youtube-src-id="wP8A9rtg0iI"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-56296551860737861072022-04-17T23:02:00.010+01:002022-04-20T13:28:38.864+01:00TGO Challenge 2021: DAYS 13 & 14: To Lunan Bay<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here we go then - the last section is two days to the coast, leaving the hills behind and strolling through the glorious Angus countryside on my way to one of my favourite finishing points, Lunan Bay.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmLJa2pG3qqeweW59cm8K2YJqw656HF3ULMZE9Q_R5jibNefRxWTIo2mW3mFcpZzgpHuQgyyKd_o093AjeC1nld2CmnY5jDEjv-ecydSluHdezI5NalgvqtAC_6v4UlWvURECAPC3EFihlJXbwUN-y1CXhJ2Pbp-zVAoKHdk1yNdVKFAdiPA/s3647/original_de3728a9-b337-4e1f-ae17-1f0db0594565_20220417_152231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1673" data-original-width="3647" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmLJa2pG3qqeweW59cm8K2YJqw656HF3ULMZE9Q_R5jibNefRxWTIo2mW3mFcpZzgpHuQgyyKd_o093AjeC1nld2CmnY5jDEjv-ecydSluHdezI5NalgvqtAC_6v4UlWvURECAPC3EFihlJXbwUN-y1CXhJ2Pbp-zVAoKHdk1yNdVKFAdiPA/w640-h294/original_de3728a9-b337-4e1f-ae17-1f0db0594565_20220417_152231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 13 (19.5KM) and DAY 14 (17.4KM): CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><br /><u><br /></u><div><u>DAY THIRTEEN: TO BRECHIN</u><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've walked this route three years ago <a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2020/02/tgo-challenge-2018-days-13-14.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">in 2018</span></a> with Phil & Andy and you can find a few reasons in that post for the route selection. You'll also notice that my walking companions this year are far more photogenic than the old lags I was saddled with then!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even though the day is only a tad over twelve miles it's worth getting away with a clean pair of heels so that you can enjoy your arrival at Brechin with a trip to the pub before checking in to your B&B or campsite still in a timely fashion. Our route is on tracks and minor roads to begin with, with lovely views to the north of the hills you're slowly leaving behind. By and large the roads have plenty of deciduous tree cover - lots of beech trees unfurling their splendour - to give partial shelter from rain or sunshine. Today we were blessed with sunshine: Lots of it! </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a aria-label="Photo – Landscape – 30 Jun 2021, 09:42:48" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP9iFXWTgwIkd-EhIXZeu2UWBe944I0dWQafzvyp8zDDmEB-cFuZn-0hgC2ctnfCw/photo/AF1QipOmW6PCwfRtV_7nmNoA9YTvANDRL6a-mdyEUIs7?key=ZFNWLS1meXY5ZnpWYVNoQ0R5MHY3LWtNUnBHd25n" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;nte41d:mhE3Te;JKU4Dd:YQTjB;GSfVid:gFt3hb;" tabindex="0"></a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAyfpcs1uVMN8o0Z32Wkn3OQltpb3BLnXUyM40DiHodkhniroQUtVpiVsrbfMq8CMVWL6q6itCow9ATeuIQf-cj-U80JKWs5US1rJeaeopK5bLf1xgYJuX65Sg_WBQffi2bJZWdis9E27fIEl_TSxqwTgS5VBakIcZViTp6gNK8bB1wzCy1s4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="680" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAyfpcs1uVMN8o0Z32Wkn3OQltpb3BLnXUyM40DiHodkhniroQUtVpiVsrbfMq8CMVWL6q6itCow9ATeuIQf-cj-U80JKWs5US1rJeaeopK5bLf1xgYJuX65Sg_WBQffi2bJZWdis9E27fIEl_TSxqwTgS5VBakIcZViTp6gNK8bB1wzCy1s4=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DESIRABLE RESIDENCE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="RY3tic" data-latest-bg="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4nbjR-WzajNwTHdPJhm_tP6c7lyqUvOYcjG5PhWfeNnrl_vXSoufbztooMtAS3XkH7l-g9maNztdEo4ewQ_ojXQ12nb4ZuKewMsrAKpgMclnzr9c3eT7iIoCAPc48mOrZQqZ1E_fOSZkAK0gtPMSxb8lKrLnhcyNmnKBHDxOgmOiXxZFKgWXSkhjL4inhSyKC7i-rWtpl1sS8bTl4xMRiEGmEh1ygtOZCY76HNdkU3v4WdJee4r85eDI-OcdEnhMzj-pkn5lPrtGbcG6OV2DlhrKTvB-_zcrKQZzrhKYxTkOGSrO2x4_eBpwHlkc5_t3K_v24_Y2KtCSkU9_ojaueau6tl16pMldKQOgR-Be0TR1xnCYR2X3OO38IuL1Tof78j3mBdKrge5MGFgrOog8q6aSvt0nP22By5giKDjf3jOmRVD4bMIv011AHUD9TyldZS3HhTuDMpr0RHaiXw3B78ggV3G5yjp7PNrGs9-lijesHlKtVMkTUNeGwJUH0FXS2HjtPYmi3Eq4wRNn9qNmlmLy0MFC5jHklYfAFtrD8NgVFicE9wr61yCNQxR8GBbRm15ErGzQrkgLU07R4__6tNLPG5P2qwAXqJLEGYrg0At2xuXab76iTxAAN_v65sWgdJcwiZ4lpc1Pter-TbQXRvk24g6SilREjuKzm2IvPYvjz1FAzTFMl6txGk7FtYe7bjTWYkuJ5hVzx9EvUEKO5_G608-so035E2wwYUwYWqX8OS2dun42rwUOOa496d9BDXXbTBWBKJJwbzHX00RZaZAdqu8hyX1sL62yLIbH8D-FhBFFJLA30C9I8_gpiGwT6ihYxvDXKZ9tgAH4LSbnZRoiEk35szw472WfvvoECfDEMXWDngnU5Le1ytWs=w323-h236-no?authuser=0" style="background-image: url("https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4nbjR-WzajNwTHdPJhm_tP6c7lyqUvOYcjG5PhWfeNnrl_vXSoufbztooMtAS3XkH7l-g9maNztdEo4ewQ_ojXQ12nb4ZuKewMsrAKpgMclnzr9c3eT7iIoCAPc48mOrZQqZ1E_fOSZkAK0gtPMSxb8lKrLnhcyNmnKBHDxOgmOiXxZFKgWXSkhjL4inhSyKC7i-rWtpl1sS8bTl4xMRiEGmEh1ygtOZCY76HNdkU3v4WdJee4r85eDI-OcdEnhMzj-pkn5lPrtGbcG6OV2DlhrKTvB-_zcrKQZzrhKYxTkOGSrO2x4_eBpwHlkc5_t3K_v24_Y2KtCSkU9_ojaueau6tl16pMldKQOgR-Be0TR1xnCYR2X3OO38IuL1Tof78j3mBdKrge5MGFgrOog8q6aSvt0nP22By5giKDjf3jOmRVD4bMIv011AHUD9TyldZS3HhTuDMpr0RHaiXw3B78ggV3G5yjp7PNrGs9-lijesHlKtVMkTUNeGwJUH0FXS2HjtPYmi3Eq4wRNn9qNmlmLy0MFC5jHklYfAFtrD8NgVFicE9wr61yCNQxR8GBbRm15ErGzQrkgLU07R4__6tNLPG5P2qwAXqJLEGYrg0At2xuXab76iTxAAN_v65sWgdJcwiZ4lpc1Pter-TbQXRvk24g6SilREjuKzm2IvPYvjz1FAzTFMl6txGk7FtYe7bjTWYkuJ5hVzx9EvUEKO5_G608-so035E2wwYUwYWqX8OS2dun42rwUOOa496d9BDXXbTBWBKJJwbzHX00RZaZAdqu8hyX1sL62yLIbH8D-FhBFFJLA30C9I8_gpiGwT6ihYxvDXKZ9tgAH4LSbnZRoiEk35szw472WfvvoECfDEMXWDngnU5Le1ytWs=w323-h236-no?authuser=0"), url("https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4nbjR-WzajNwTHdPJhm_tP6c7lyqUvOYcjG5PhWfeNnrl_vXSoufbztooMtAS3XkH7l-g9maNztdEo4ewQ_ojXQ12nb4ZuKewMsrAKpgMclnzr9c3eT7iIoCAPc48mOrZQqZ1E_fOSZkAK0gtPMSxb8lKrLnhcyNmnKBHDxOgmOiXxZFKgWXSkhjL4inhSyKC7i-rWtpl1sS8bTl4xMRiEGmEh1ygtOZCY76HNdkU3v4WdJee4r85eDI-OcdEnhMzj-pkn5lPrtGbcG6OV2DlhrKTvB-_zcrKQZzrhKYxTkOGSrO2x4_eBpwHlkc5_t3K_v24_Y2KtCSkU9_ojaueau6tl16pMldKQOgR-Be0TR1xnCYR2X3OO38IuL1Tof78j3mBdKrge5MGFgrOog8q6aSvt0nP22By5giKDjf3jOmRVD4bMIv011AHUD9TyldZS3HhTuDMpr0RHaiXw3B78ggV3G5yjp7PNrGs9-lijesHlKtVMkTUNeGwJUH0FXS2HjtPYmi3Eq4wRNn9qNmlmLy0MFC5jHklYfAFtrD8NgVFicE9wr61yCNQxR8GBbRm15ErGzQrkgLU07R4__6tNLPG5P2qwAXqJLEGYrg0At2xuXab76iTxAAN_v65sWgdJcwiZ4lpc1Pter-TbQXRvk24g6SilREjuKzm2IvPYvjz1FAzTFMl6txGk7FtYe7bjTWYkuJ5hVzx9EvUEKO5_G608-so035E2wwYUwYWqX8OS2dun42rwUOOa496d9BDXXbTBWBKJJwbzHX00RZaZAdqu8hyX1sL62yLIbH8D-FhBFFJLA30C9I8_gpiGwT6ihYxvDXKZ9tgAH4LSbnZRoiEk35szw472WfvvoECfDEMXWDngnU5Le1ytWs=w529-h387-no?authuser=0"); opacity: 1;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eGiHwc"></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="KYCEmd"></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUg2dhLqqdcxKwYd7b8Y606bHdSqXJ1DLFR7YZUAwEOqd1xXti5cRdrkH9ivM8kFdYrisLeWNuQ_lSQL3uD3i9y2T0YOjUZRn_wcEFqPu0RCD6Mx3hkRMq66wtFZ1c6l6avt98BEcNbd8VBme8FT3k62k0UStU1mKqOLDLv4PUDmDvsLZwBxw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUg2dhLqqdcxKwYd7b8Y606bHdSqXJ1DLFR7YZUAwEOqd1xXti5cRdrkH9ivM8kFdYrisLeWNuQ_lSQL3uD3i9y2T0YOjUZRn_wcEFqPu0RCD6Mx3hkRMq66wtFZ1c6l6avt98BEcNbd8VBme8FT3k62k0UStU1mKqOLDLv4PUDmDvsLZwBxw=w603-h640" width="603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THEY DON'T MAKE 'EM LIKE THAT ANYMORE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">The little hamlet of Fern really is a 'must visit' spot on the itinerary for </span>elevenses or a second breakfast. It's a tiny bit of paradise here on earth, frequented today by three angels.<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ2AupJJObJ7WNCod66XVtlLomydhTtPsJBcnbivarAri7XeNVFldlpdk32qeDGSPx5K2ncoRQz9kSW3lhQf9BrHxgL4BhoiX_Q2QQKq_9Wtp5XBx8zJGCgclhvEQCAAjlK50cJjzj1shZTvdFg7oRwGxiYhl1lE4u1uCbhGcdA9bSG6E67Jo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="680" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ2AupJJObJ7WNCod66XVtlLomydhTtPsJBcnbivarAri7XeNVFldlpdk32qeDGSPx5K2ncoRQz9kSW3lhQf9BrHxgL4BhoiX_Q2QQKq_9Wtp5XBx8zJGCgclhvEQCAAjlK50cJjzj1shZTvdFg7oRwGxiYhl1lE4u1uCbhGcdA9bSG6E67Jo=w640-h632" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FERN CHURCH: JUDITH, LINDSAY & BARBARA</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhap7-XnVHXbYYNIoQ5TV88C5XlogPk027hPEy9rTVZOctKTp7uIrMnnKjtg0uLfrrFCJRH_mHUEJmu-cvWNz2YhpC_z_o-m7cKUcz281Bahv4GrPCV4P9xOPdeUI7ESc7U5FOOrzU2vbbchO08jEixvdF8tuoShMsCIrcvFWzzGfoa5Vswnp4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhap7-XnVHXbYYNIoQ5TV88C5XlogPk027hPEy9rTVZOctKTp7uIrMnnKjtg0uLfrrFCJRH_mHUEJmu-cvWNz2YhpC_z_o-m7cKUcz281Bahv4GrPCV4P9xOPdeUI7ESc7U5FOOrzU2vbbchO08jEixvdF8tuoShMsCIrcvFWzzGfoa5Vswnp4=w523-h640" width="523" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">JUDITH, FERN CHURCH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ34QjBs3DKUy6wzIAKiAQloIzD4zm5Vue7JuLXpSmz4AbVHouWfMkPlcJNZDBzew6ZYHU6YAhKvy8OzVx64vo09oDkqvqXbNJ5kUOK0CBIOEmwEnDQxifxY5UdxoZW_OftTFrpaQ994YdTZsLlqYJWs8UG3Z0c1pShm-bHThxPfye-oj89XQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ34QjBs3DKUy6wzIAKiAQloIzD4zm5Vue7JuLXpSmz4AbVHouWfMkPlcJNZDBzew6ZYHU6YAhKvy8OzVx64vo09oDkqvqXbNJ5kUOK0CBIOEmwEnDQxifxY5UdxoZW_OftTFrpaQ994YdTZsLlqYJWs8UG3Z0c1pShm-bHThxPfye-oj89XQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY & JUDITH, VAYNE MOOR WOOD</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After this glorious wood there's a bit of foot-slogging to be done, and in the late June full-strength sunshine this afternoon felt like hard work. I suppose it was the sunshine combined with the culmination of the previous two weeks of walking. Whatever, I struggled this afternoon and was very glad indeed to be strolling down the hill into Brechin into the town centre. We hit the first pub for some welcome refreshment. I'd been here before with Phil and Andy so it felt like coming home.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnoLaWABEExoCeVhSbIo2x9RAThLx6CCn4XbAVMzFYNN2f5tfO_LfgDEEoZ1aEo6_u10Cfwh8mQP4iip9Y_pRpPC5xEOf7s0slW_RNs0ppL6L3R0DMlAQmL-4yltgQZw0b5lfW4tv3BNPumfklE85Dw3o7HB0o7fG9SM9jem_vEq07IBcWaxI" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnoLaWABEExoCeVhSbIo2x9RAThLx6CCn4XbAVMzFYNN2f5tfO_LfgDEEoZ1aEo6_u10Cfwh8mQP4iip9Y_pRpPC5xEOf7s0slW_RNs0ppL6L3R0DMlAQmL-4yltgQZw0b5lfW4tv3BNPumfklE85Dw3o7HB0o7fG9SM9jem_vEq07IBcWaxI=w627-h640" width="627" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">JUDITH, BRECHIN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Then it was off to my wonderful B&B - <a href="http://www.liscara.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Liscara</span></a> - where I have stayed before, to get the sweaty washing done to make myself more presentable for the arrival at Montrose tomorrow. This was followed by a trundle up to the Northern Hotel to meet with half a dozen Challengers for some food.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dinner included lively conversations on all manner of subjects, inevitably turning to the subject of the most useless gear Challengers have brought on the Challenge over the years. This included a discussion about modern lightweight gear and the inverse relationship between weight and price; the less your gear weighs the greater the probability you paid considerably more for it. This was felt by all to be downright iniquitous! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, I pointed out that after many years of sitting with all the other husbands in Rigby & Peller whilst our other halves were being tended to, this was nothing to be surprised about. Less is definitely more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And with that I strolled back to my Bed & Breakfast in the evening twilight, unaware of the furore that this would produce in a particular section of social media. I was serenely happy, knowing that this year's Challenge was now in the bag.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY FOURTEEN: TO LUNAN BAY</u></div><p style="text-align: justify;">It's an eleven mile stroll to the coast today and with my entire wardrobe freshly laundered and my back teeth floating after a breakfast of champions, I meet up with Lindsay at the benches outside the Brechin Town House Museum, which are flooded in warm sunshine at eight o'clock in the morning.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoWLFaRZxek1h4vFLE8MKgdvCNbpzsS9Qz0oy48emPUQR3PA6-IKiLeGt9YWOgEAwBDUfRjmK5l3u9tZAdgy4K5baj27HIlC2Tp9zSxT6Y4SlRKctw_GhglP-iMCcUlQ9ZgQTsk760RhKhe3sDTW39eY7d95HMXA6GeimLuafZDZHmcDImvKg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="680" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoWLFaRZxek1h4vFLE8MKgdvCNbpzsS9Qz0oy48emPUQR3PA6-IKiLeGt9YWOgEAwBDUfRjmK5l3u9tZAdgy4K5baj27HIlC2Tp9zSxT6Y4SlRKctw_GhglP-iMCcUlQ9ZgQTsk760RhKhe3sDTW39eY7d95HMXA6GeimLuafZDZHmcDImvKg=w640-h491" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LISCARA B&B, BRECHIN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a very good start. We've soon crossed the South Esk on the lovely old stone bridge and are climbing away from the town beneath yet more wonderful beech trees. We're in no hurry and take regular breaks to admire the scenery, which is so much better than expectation and simple map reading would have us believe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We decide on a spot for an early lunch at the top of a hill opposite Fithie Wood and so make our way steadily onwards in the warming sunshine. I'd decided to take a route across Rossie Moor this year to avoid any difficulties with <a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2016/09/tgoc-2016-days-13-14-waterside-to-lunan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">path diversions at Renmuir</span></a> that we had experienced in the past. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We hopped over the gate to leave Fithie Wood behind us and within a hundred yards found a wonderful grassy spot sheltered by large gorse bushes at the start of the track that climbed the gentle ridge. It was heavenly. I may have dozed off. Snoozed most probably. A lunch of crusty cheese and tomato rolls, pork sausage rolls and fresh fruit seemed just the job. All was not just well with my world, it was bloody fabulous. We had watched fields of barley swept by warm breezes into gentle rollers sweeping down the hillside. Buzzards were mewing and larks and all manner of LBJ's tweeting their hearts out. We must have spent a good hour doing bugger all and it felt wonderful. After all the difficulties I had experienced over the past two weeks this finally felt like a wonderful holiday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But we did need to get it done. So staggering up in the very bright sunshine we slowly ambled off, only to bump into a lovely bloke who was doing a nature survey of Rossie Moor as one of his his retirement hobbies. He's done all the Munros and Corbetts and spoke fondly of the TGO Challenge. Route finding across Rossie Moor? No problem he said, with a smile, though the paths are no longer where we'll think they should be, but we should have no problem...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay. Perhaps that should have been a warning, but it flew right over my very smiley bonce. Within two hundred yards we came to an abrupt halt. Ahead of us was a phalanx of solid gorse at least fifteen feet high, interspersed with youngish silver birch. We scouted this way and that and decided on a right. Then we clambered through a double barbed wire fence to try to get back on track, always looking out to see if we could collect the track that had disappeared. The going became increasingly squelchy underfoot. This could not be right... So we doubled back, still intent on finding the track that only existed in the cartographer's drug-crazed fantasies. After a good three quarters of a miles of tussock, bog, forcing our way through gorse and tightly packed birch trees we eventually found ourselves at a gate at the far side of Rossie Moor. We sat down, both utterly fed up and knackered in the heat!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's a tip: Don't <b>ever </b>even <b>think</b> of taking this route!</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSOcGhoZyhymqsb1TJsByK47DyVpZoXpIVkar6SXXkZXZ0_pkdwtObuInRL3h1ajExQCEg3YyE-jqUxWucHJHGuhGV2mpttHk3sbNUkPgD3pGLU0WFHdZxH97K3UOesivAoBiBVmHCgZUN8psP39ltCdyaVx78NmaK2JODpt1IIeZhrb9hEQA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="680" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSOcGhoZyhymqsb1TJsByK47DyVpZoXpIVkar6SXXkZXZ0_pkdwtObuInRL3h1ajExQCEg3YyE-jqUxWucHJHGuhGV2mpttHk3sbNUkPgD3pGLU0WFHdZxH97K3UOesivAoBiBVmHCgZUN8psP39ltCdyaVx78NmaK2JODpt1IIeZhrb9hEQA=w640-h326" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HERE BE DRAGONS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Out of mild curiosity after I had returned home I found where I had been from my Google Timeline, which I shall share with you below.</div><div><br /></div><div>Utter madness.<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2XHrKmc6FfCs10rXhteig_wlTdrD8b8xzEuzx88j1VUhfJRslXPAZ7p-a8jtgxK1TeibdY16n_AHgc1H87yYVs_ZbkheMDKm0smF1-rX3Gp691DMb-H0r06qODkUOXE_wRzMTCvTr1-qj_wGSm8xFIcD3YhqFpJqz8wV5yKp5WOpuzKP684M" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="680" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2XHrKmc6FfCs10rXhteig_wlTdrD8b8xzEuzx88j1VUhfJRslXPAZ7p-a8jtgxK1TeibdY16n_AHgc1H87yYVs_ZbkheMDKm0smF1-rX3Gp691DMb-H0r06qODkUOXE_wRzMTCvTr1-qj_wGSm8xFIcD3YhqFpJqz8wV5yKp5WOpuzKP684M=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FROM MY GOOGLE MAPS TIMELINE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Still, as my old mother used to say, "it's all character deforming".</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt5oOcyhgsNR1l71hAADDEW3nFksuNcdCH6_QRrYOIy1TRuUfjIgo5rEflPw1KWtqo_sAaZW5hOdYHG80jDY64-0bxx_F-NMtjaq3vrfeWvAOTrzlDtE2gzXkDQ57RCJD3nXNmGoCrvLCWNIQ360H2totCWsXO1YmPCZYLJXCOdRg9jV2wDqI=w640-h480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MAULES WOOD</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br />At half one we decided upon a second lunch at a side track off a minor road before crossing the A92. You can't be too careful. We wouldn't want to feel giddy with hunger or dehydration. The sun was properly belting down - it was the height of the day and even the mad dogs had found shade, leaving just us Englishmen out in the midday sun.</div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWL59DGIjTu0chUARTxq9zjRGTiSqV41nM64E-0uIj7BVuLDUtGydc4eUR7DniVDKKU2uloXWl-CZCE0w5S-r_39fTrwsYJbVzfsJc6fwlkmUtvUDq-fpR_fhacPkkdcBAnMsGda4F_OKYfbCJIKeoSKDQC5d0IxVkEv3G8ZAli-ee0Sbb-lU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="647" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWL59DGIjTu0chUARTxq9zjRGTiSqV41nM64E-0uIj7BVuLDUtGydc4eUR7DniVDKKU2uloXWl-CZCE0w5S-r_39fTrwsYJbVzfsJc6fwlkmUtvUDq-fpR_fhacPkkdcBAnMsGda4F_OKYfbCJIKeoSKDQC5d0IxVkEv3G8ZAli-ee0Sbb-lU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">REST STOP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjdinanMZAqQ-8Z_8pYaweZi_E2-IpbrnlXHoj-q9aQGo34lcC4_1ArGBMRQ9F1BoHAjNjRjenl20cO3Gnsm-nBhO4dOl1L-vhOtP6TNstVJZpfuKYa54nept6xISdxA7Fb2K8fzVHeUhM8y8E01UBI94p0YeE3QBUuf0J4GuYgM_7xVtBte8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="647" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjdinanMZAqQ-8Z_8pYaweZi_E2-IpbrnlXHoj-q9aQGo34lcC4_1ArGBMRQ9F1BoHAjNjRjenl20cO3Gnsm-nBhO4dOl1L-vhOtP6TNstVJZpfuKYa54nept6xISdxA7Fb2K8fzVHeUhM8y8E01UBI94p0YeE3QBUuf0J4GuYgM_7xVtBte8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">REST STOP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a couple of miles to go and so we kicked ourselves back into gear and began the gentle descent to the Lunan Bay Cafe.</div></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh51zzxnvA8Q0kmHDdKTOnZ-lY9kWTkwoIfhpSxGxeDCOMQOfLRYoUf7fprkzMzpT7RRM_2Okcu25moDLIzNzBrappP4RFb3GIUgxIWqS8v6jjH2_Yxf9qAtp7YeEdvmumYqxemtfcqvSZsDZsT90M2h7HmCfdrzVVn90AVy9gHrqjHe2J7W4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="680" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh51zzxnvA8Q0kmHDdKTOnZ-lY9kWTkwoIfhpSxGxeDCOMQOfLRYoUf7fprkzMzpT7RRM_2Okcu25moDLIzNzBrappP4RFb3GIUgxIWqS8v6jjH2_Yxf9qAtp7YeEdvmumYqxemtfcqvSZsDZsT90M2h7HmCfdrzVVn90AVy9gHrqjHe2J7W4=w640-h364" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE NORTH SEA: LUNAN BAY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Lunan Bay is now a hive of catering and hospitality with a hotel and cafe to cater for our every conceivable need. We passed on the hotel's offers and made straight for the cafe. Unfortunately the blasted Covid regulations dictated that we could only take our cakes, coffee and cold drinks out on trays to sit outside. I'd rather fancied sitting down on a chair, with a back, in the Great Indoors for a change. I'd had rather too much of the other doors recently. Even so, it was lovely to be just sat on the decking, with coffees, beers and cakes. A rather nice lady offered to take our picture with my phone. This is as good as it gets, you know.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibX0FWyXFAJPNd7Ni666K01DIL4akINC7BFDsnL_QNAQmoG1gm6J4LSjBwY9rVFbkenS7wJkx8jebyfYNDChCVzq8S0qmRQAYGms8z4JnbUgfMWGcA7Nm2PV2gCwLvff8tPSe3rcMUMUcIB8oQk0qfHeI9iTnXTE5Gek4TyIjwX9Li2V82Lak" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="680" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibX0FWyXFAJPNd7Ni666K01DIL4akINC7BFDsnL_QNAQmoG1gm6J4LSjBwY9rVFbkenS7wJkx8jebyfYNDChCVzq8S0qmRQAYGms8z4JnbUgfMWGcA7Nm2PV2gCwLvff8tPSe3rcMUMUcIB8oQk0qfHeI9iTnXTE5Gek4TyIjwX9Li2V82Lak=w640-h466" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY & ME, LUNAN BAY CAFE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not sure how Lindsay saw her mini Challenge, as she'd originally only bummed a lift to Scotland to do a bit of walking and perhaps bump into her Challenge friends. In the event, she had inadvertently picked up a struggler who she nursed across half of Scotland. What an amazing girl.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, for me this had been a momentous walk, taking both my sister Megan's and my brother David's kidneys sightseeing across the very best bits of Scotland. I had had some pretty torrid days through a combination of being woefully unfit - not having had any time to get fit after my transplant - and still quite weak from the surgery, with a blood count in the low 120s. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I'd done it. I'm not sure that I could have though, had it not been for bumping into Lindsay and latterly Judith and Barbara. But, I'D BLOODY DONE IT! This was by a country mile the hardest TGO Challenge of my twenty five crossings. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During my walk there had been a first-time Challenger who had been a regular on the TGO Challenge Facebook Group who had begun to get on my tits: He regularly handed down tablets of stone, airing his opinions, one of which was that the only way to do a Challenge properly was to wild camp all the way across, camping late and camping high. If you weren't doing that, you were doing it wrong and were in effect an oxygen thief, stealing the air from someone else who could have taken your place to do the thing properly. Prior to setting off, I had pointed out that the Challenge was a broad church, with a huge variety of experience, ability and challenges that individuals should set for themselves. This was met with a blank denial. The chap seemed to be on some bizarre crusade, setting himself up as an authority on How It Should Be Done. I had attracted my own personal stalker who seemed to have taken against me, and he popped up on a few occasions during the walk to take some deeply unpleasant and personal swipes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I let this lie. I was not going to let an idiot spoil my walk. Straight afterwards, when I found out other stuff he had posted that I had missed, I was pretty brassed off and would have offered him this advice: Never get old. Never get unwell. And never need help. Who knows, somebody might cross the road to help you but during the Challenge I was pretty sure it would not have been me. However, I've had almost a year to reflect, and my attitude has mellowed. I now pity him. And I would probably take pleasure in getting him back on his feet and urging him on eastwards should he ever need that support.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have always seen the TGO Challenge as a family that is supportive of those who are struggling. We each of us know that simply to arrive at the west coast and point yourself in an easterly direction has taken a huge amount of planning and effort. We look out for each other to help as much as possible in order that *everyone* gets across and enjoys the event as much as possible. It's a life affirming event and long may it continue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, once again, a huge thank you to Ali and Sue who are the present event coordinators and their team of volunteer helpers, without whom the event could not take place. Those thanks extend all the way back to the very first TGO Challenge team over forty years ago.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On arrival at the Park Hotel in Montrose to sign the Finishers' Register, I was handed a parcel. Lord Elpus and Miss Whiplash had sent a rather nice bottle and a lovely card. </div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq4w67qhMU9xNpTA9q9MVTR3neBnER9AiU9Xy662QSOTnQhb5UIkJlLyQjg7PARaQ6kUO6scWbw6gwZZMF4fcqKlEW_-FLBbzmuZ1Mq3xlyp3CuPbPdC6VruW_3wXIVXL_wSOGGqQ2qHGYAEF6ABRm_p08zilsZCrmLryEpQhzzGZhjJn_yuY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="635" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq4w67qhMU9xNpTA9q9MVTR3neBnER9AiU9Xy662QSOTnQhb5UIkJlLyQjg7PARaQ6kUO6scWbw6gwZZMF4fcqKlEW_-FLBbzmuZ1Mq3xlyp3CuPbPdC6VruW_3wXIVXL_wSOGGqQ2qHGYAEF6ABRm_p08zilsZCrmLryEpQhzzGZhjJn_yuY=w472-h640" width="472" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE LINKS HOTEL, LETTING MY 25TH CROSSING SINK IN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Phil won't be walking the Challenge this year (2022) as he has medical problems that make it impossible. Since 1999, when he first agreed to walk across with me, we've done at least a dozen Challenges together. Phil has completed fifteen Challenges in total. He has planned, virtually single handed, this coming Challenge that I'm now about to attempt without him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Phil seems fairly certain that he has walked his last TGO and I'm going to miss him like hell.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJbKGIuTk_5AhioeecmtmOgSloCfFDfPh9f2eaMUyQsVCB65fEGcnZ-N1VwfoDSkzSHGzDwoZCkS3Hb5cvwVHWN6CenzWTQDBdwFFBdUTwbdsuNr29WBKrLmoJ6_KjfZaaOt54ODbpkNgoYjex0fkNlNvIP2VIqbh5NFzOdcLJN1I2LoffmA/s2904/IMG_1040.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="2301" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJbKGIuTk_5AhioeecmtmOgSloCfFDfPh9f2eaMUyQsVCB65fEGcnZ-N1VwfoDSkzSHGzDwoZCkS3Hb5cvwVHWN6CenzWTQDBdwFFBdUTwbdsuNr29WBKrLmoJ6_KjfZaaOt54ODbpkNgoYjex0fkNlNvIP2VIqbh5NFzOdcLJN1I2LoffmA/w508-h640/IMG_1040.JPG" width="508" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHIL, TGO CHALLENGE 2008</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-8434602052013374832022-04-16T22:29:00.004+01:002022-04-17T12:02:36.712+01:00TGO Challenge 2021: DAY 12: To Conlawer Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In a few days time I was to have a bit of a leg-stretch with a hand-picked team of veteran TGO Challengers on the annual PreWalkDaunder in the Yorkshire Dales. The route had been agreed (well, I had agreed it and in my book that's what counts) and all necessary arrangements put in place. Even the weather forecast looked decent for an amble up north. All was well in my world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">But life's not like that and six weeks or so ago, out of the blue, three sessions with surgeons spread over a seven week period sneaked ahead in the list of priorities. This means that I've found myself with some unexpected time - a period of isolation between PCR test and hopefully the final session of surgery - to get back to the more important things in life and finish last year's stalled TGO Challenge write-up. Silver linings and all that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>*****</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Four months or so ago I abandoned you in the Clova Hotel, after I had been cajoled and encouraged over Jock's Road by the excellent Lyndsay. Your shameful abandonment does have an upside as I left you in the dining room; by now you'll be as fat as a pig, having feasted on the kitchen's excellent fare. It's now time to haul your bulk from your chair and re-join my walk as I head eastwards towards the east coast of Scotland once again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We're back in TGO Challenge time now, and last night as I lay on my huge hotel bed with all my belongings strewn around, hanging from picture hooks, radiators, the shower screen and chair backs, watching some mindless television I realised that I was shattered. It seemed I had bitten off more than I could chew taking on the Challenge just three months after my transplant. To be clear it wasn't impossible but some of my bigger days had definitely been a bit of an ask. Today had been difficult and tomorrow's route involved clambering up the side of Glen Clova at Rottal and ridge walking in a general easterly direction. To be honest I didn't fancy it at all as I drifted off to sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Waking up to the television news I did feel less gloomy and more willing to man-up and get on with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Challenge Circus was back in town, as was the usual melee of huge breakfasts, bill paying queues, with abandoned rucksacks, walking poles and boots filling every inch of floor space. Everyone was cleaner, brighter and smelled of hotel shampoo and skincare. Life was good once more and animated discussions of today's routes and weather filled the lobby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Outside, a wet mist closed in on the glen like a lid. The forecast promised a clearance later in the day, so Lyndsay and I tumbled outdoors to start our walk down the road to Rottal. Memory's a funny thing but I can't recall how and when we were joined by two Challenge legends, Judith and Barbara. Both had had long days yesterday and so seemed happy to walk at my less than ideal pace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As we stood at the point where we were to leave the road and head into the hills my heart wasn't in it. Lyndsay was supportive, as she always is, and then both Judith and Barbara also decided that an easier day might be a better option. If you take a look at the map below we followed the route shown by the little red flags, As is always the case on the Challenge our overnight spot needed reasonable privacy, good pitches and clean water. Happily I knew of an excellent spot within reasonable striking distance that Phil, Andy and I had used a few years earlier, so that was that and we headed off, I believe each feeling happier that a more sensible option had been chosen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmSnbIcmgBuVpuk2TPGOjLDwn3NAIC0kXEJfORyRs4K5vHyyO0eaXs4WvEmObSekMuJYHlPL5P9wzufaDueLww16d7nvEM5koTawk1qY1QCvORpDXYdivzwsHsJaLVZ25UNWk8FLcVV639vGXaTw6uKm1TKsV-XHHG1uldnyhQjAtz1EX5kY/s3703/20220416_154146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2525" data-original-width="3703" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmSnbIcmgBuVpuk2TPGOjLDwn3NAIC0kXEJfORyRs4K5vHyyO0eaXs4WvEmObSekMuJYHlPL5P9wzufaDueLww16d7nvEM5koTawk1qY1QCvORpDXYdivzwsHsJaLVZ25UNWk8FLcVV639vGXaTw6uKm1TKsV-XHHG1uldnyhQjAtz1EX5kY/w640-h436/20220416_154146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 12: REVISED ROUTE [CLICK TO ENLARGE]</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was only a matter of time; Lyndsay had remarked a week ago as we'd walked away from Kingussie how these passing places had added potential. Today it was sunny and the tarmac dry and warm. An excellent spot to pass.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ehwxBs2NXd7MMzS5bVIwMDyMNAt2L7nbqrIf_1WnEVaagYzuPp5h2oTRvRGLzcvEQSXkuLbiLnyIBAXEXOMvXIhiWINYwJZMzbkgCoyBq3LbGX6SfT7fJMdPx-r3cTYLL0v1S5Wmxxqo31Xe0ADVld6vWOAvQxkfCKCFHU6tpDe6vxm9KOY/s893/IMG_20210629_095747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ehwxBs2NXd7MMzS5bVIwMDyMNAt2L7nbqrIf_1WnEVaagYzuPp5h2oTRvRGLzcvEQSXkuLbiLnyIBAXEXOMvXIhiWINYwJZMzbkgCoyBq3LbGX6SfT7fJMdPx-r3cTYLL0v1S5Wmxxqo31Xe0ADVld6vWOAvQxkfCKCFHU6tpDe6vxm9KOY/w502-h640/IMG_20210629_095747.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LYNDSAY'S OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Having now decided upon our easier day the pressure was finally off. From the second day of this Challenge there had always been a heaving swell, or perhaps an undercurrent, of having to get through that particular day so as not to make the following day even worse. I had never, ever felt this way before on a Challenge, and this was my twenty fifth! Of course, the next day might have been an easier day anyway, but I found myself imagining that that easy day had been planned in to ease the pressure for the next, more difficult day. I know; looking back at this bizarre logic in the quiet of an isolating Easter Bank Holiday it's hard to credit how I'd found myself in this bizarre self destructive loop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">To fall in step with three Challengers that I have known and respected enormously for so long was a colossal boost to morale. Stupidly, I had been embarrassed swapping my lovely hill route that Phil and I had planned so carefully together over the winter months. I thought I was being a wimp. I was perfectly capable of getting up there, and enjoying the curlew, larks and ravens. However, the truth of it was that I was wrong. And happily I was now walking and chatting and thoroughly enjoying myself. It was a massive boost.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWDmxOlxtQjCAL-2KOIYlo95dBX_w5B3AyqUHORhxiML73yq_Zp7i7mvm4Nu3XgMYoUBwziI9eDJD2edNDXcVxKqzUHHvV_LicHHGnxezD_9Mgkd3BX3exbB-TQ7EcjxY1EHvrE1UzTeRyPlM8Qq4H6qvVgHfGmROEqAIo-moM553O_-dKWM/s3445/IMG_20210629_102119.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2132" data-original-width="3445" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWDmxOlxtQjCAL-2KOIYlo95dBX_w5B3AyqUHORhxiML73yq_Zp7i7mvm4Nu3XgMYoUBwziI9eDJD2edNDXcVxKqzUHHvV_LicHHGnxezD_9Mgkd3BX3exbB-TQ7EcjxY1EHvrE1UzTeRyPlM8Qq4H6qvVgHfGmROEqAIo-moM553O_-dKWM/w640-h396/IMG_20210629_102119.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">JUDITH - A CHALLENGE LEGEND, WITH TWELVE CROSSINGS UNDER HER BELT.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It's always a boost meeting Judith on a Challenge. She's a bright spark. Articulate and with a hinterland I discovered by chance that is jaw droppingly impressive. All her Challenges have been solo affairs, which can be enormously tough when things are going awry. However, it's a measure of her character that it would be almost impossible for an observer to notice. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rest stops were happily numerous and I tried to make inroads in the ridiculously large food parcel I had received at the hotel.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrHvREKp4x_YzHc8198yDJX2glm5d9x8mBW0YA2WO2X136v-LGI8T_zUd5xiMDaKdlz4jYYSneXZhGkeAj1ilQKAbligTn6Y-xOHP-N5LmUNStiLV1lmD3hFQyCPElNUMuTEK4uzBoCF3ey3S2tN10CHZdO9oqwN7FX4t1rv8CHKCaHjPrY8/s1271/IMG_20210629_125621.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1271" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrHvREKp4x_YzHc8198yDJX2glm5d9x8mBW0YA2WO2X136v-LGI8T_zUd5xiMDaKdlz4jYYSneXZhGkeAj1ilQKAbligTn6Y-xOHP-N5LmUNStiLV1lmD3hFQyCPElNUMuTEK4uzBoCF3ey3S2tN10CHZdO9oqwN7FX4t1rv8CHKCaHjPrY8/w640-h450/IMG_20210629_125621.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BARBARA, ANOTHER LEGEND - SEVENTEEN!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">I first met Barbara in 1999, when she and her other half, Peter, were on their first crossing. I remember with huge affection a moment at the Tarfside playing field where we were camped up alongside each other. It was mid evening and Peter was reading out loud to Barbara. Now, Barbara swears that my memory's playing tricks on me, but I swear Peter was reading poetry. It was wonderful. Even if I've got this wrong, and Peter was reading a Haynes manual for a Ford Anglia it's something that I'll always treasure.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACFmKZm76FkzyOjD88ldbeyhvvVc2p-pWsNvyysJsh9NiiarPwiZDQkYt0Ql-skUHKlF-snv2MXbHYsqzZ3Tk_SZjfbfP-oTGgohHZW4F1S316lXZO3CNrN1NUpDtute4_pqWs8ePCR2IXsEmDgKmNEAYf5vBvKfQDv4QDUN8K-NunSER5NE/s820/IMG_20210629_125639.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="777" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACFmKZm76FkzyOjD88ldbeyhvvVc2p-pWsNvyysJsh9NiiarPwiZDQkYt0Ql-skUHKlF-snv2MXbHYsqzZ3Tk_SZjfbfP-oTGgohHZW4F1S316lXZO3CNrN1NUpDtute4_pqWs8ePCR2IXsEmDgKmNEAYf5vBvKfQDv4QDUN8K-NunSER5NE/w606-h640/IMG_20210629_125639.jpg" width="606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LYNDSAY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Nothing more needs to be said about this lady, but I'll have a bash: Unsquashable. Determined. Vivacious. Great fun, and massively caring. She's one of the Challenge's leading ladies. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aK9qZpq9SV3nRXmH_0lg0JGf5oniOraEzrnGV_CpcyNYtHzMW4Vmp3KNG2Z_A_IkBZzWwVA2617bTweMm_yxeP2NzmeeoBIVxG44nn3qtbrUMtXA4Y9gnyfOkHWC5MBzW7Tl9Di-xYF4uKWvP3Xs_bhl-jpBJwiQSLe73ld0X5mIJSK-X6M/s1655/IMG_20210629_132327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1655" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aK9qZpq9SV3nRXmH_0lg0JGf5oniOraEzrnGV_CpcyNYtHzMW4Vmp3KNG2Z_A_IkBZzWwVA2617bTweMm_yxeP2NzmeeoBIVxG44nn3qtbrUMtXA4Y9gnyfOkHWC5MBzW7Tl9Di-xYF4uKWvP3Xs_bhl-jpBJwiQSLe73ld0X5mIJSK-X6M/w640-h316/IMG_20210629_132327.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE AIRLIE TOWER [CLICK TO ENLARGE]</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Back to the walk! As you can see from the photos we walked in a mist haze for most of the day, resulting in humid and still conditions. This was not good as on occasions the black fly were out and coupled with the midges it could be pretty horrible. One of the downsides to walking in the latter half of June is the bracken. In May, it's struggling to uncurl and is never more than knee-high. However this time of the year it can be neck high, and I'm six feet tall. Any likely breeze is totally smothered by the bracken and so midges, black fly and ticks have a field-day! The section immediately prior to the style shown below was a long uphill through head-height bracken, that got steeper as you approached the style. I couldn't see my feet as the rutted path was completely covered by the bracken. It was the most miserable kilometre of my life. I was desperate to get it over.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uJ_eo0lxh9EIE_6wTdBrIePTNpkBHLeUkB5ZHDDw9QSLuKL6VqxSn8ScTE6BP8fE6EbwaAeLpdpCS5PcFpr2FP--shfTrd_HBN0UE3ZUQGXC-Fdd5kf4nEEX4KRxcr4x5Pi7i9ES8dcpnMg1YytgDRjdmnbbOjysS7AdTBLkgRy1L2HikfM/s820/IMG_20210629_152951.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="615" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uJ_eo0lxh9EIE_6wTdBrIePTNpkBHLeUkB5ZHDDw9QSLuKL6VqxSn8ScTE6BP8fE6EbwaAeLpdpCS5PcFpr2FP--shfTrd_HBN0UE3ZUQGXC-Fdd5kf4nEEX4KRxcr4x5Pi7i9ES8dcpnMg1YytgDRjdmnbbOjysS7AdTBLkgRy1L2HikfM/w480-h640/IMG_20210629_152951.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AWKWARD STYLE 😁 WITH THE AIRLIE TOWER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />All unpleasantness finally comes to an end and the next two stages to Hornihaugh and through Dowelly Dell was wonderful.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HE8GRvfh0xBxdx8bAVW60RQ30uUTVzK1_ZHv3YWeg93MuNbYUrewInXMCEsQeNMZImL2wEywH148w7s2bUiSOCDjTiuFtYNN7TA6ERk1FEXIHSTad1HJzfW7ErTi2uaKgpN-mMxJ0u2Ep_CsY_JcB9NuIhVDwSIWDmeVSn5zmjQpajjuzSw/s1496/IMG_20210629_154732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1496" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HE8GRvfh0xBxdx8bAVW60RQ30uUTVzK1_ZHv3YWeg93MuNbYUrewInXMCEsQeNMZImL2wEywH148w7s2bUiSOCDjTiuFtYNN7TA6ERk1FEXIHSTad1HJzfW7ErTi2uaKgpN-mMxJ0u2Ep_CsY_JcB9NuIhVDwSIWDmeVSn5zmjQpajjuzSw/w640-h350/IMG_20210629_154732.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THAT'S CONLAWER HILL, WITH THE WOODED TOP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7wXUKSxWgZjxUnm6yerdkfZauHMFoYZyQslNDCwReb1Bg318mmcMshFeHgW2xf8Lvoy5uCCqGCECix3X0_ADp0jKKvA8AFqLZdnnGRMiNsXVVLcBw6RaQrePsjDi0zEKDPZ7m6z6oIJIP13rzydfwqKxuV3WigrNfx5xKd7QiqAp9_EAx0k/s1094/IMG_20210629_160626.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1094" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7wXUKSxWgZjxUnm6yerdkfZauHMFoYZyQslNDCwReb1Bg318mmcMshFeHgW2xf8Lvoy5uCCqGCECix3X0_ADp0jKKvA8AFqLZdnnGRMiNsXVVLcBw6RaQrePsjDi0zEKDPZ7m6z6oIJIP13rzydfwqKxuV3WigrNfx5xKd7QiqAp9_EAx0k/w640-h480/IMG_20210629_160626.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DOWELLY DEN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't relax yet though, as there's a sensationally boggy section to come, just past Midtown that even after such a dry spell was still a bundle of fun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As our camping spot hove into view we came across a peculiar set of events. Two guys dressed in camo outfits with an expensive-looking glossy pick-up with all the boys' toys added on, were parked exactly where we wanted to stop. They were carrying what appeared to be a crossbow. The noise it made certainly sounded like one - a slicing hissing - that I heard twice. They realised that company was approaching as a bit of a surprise and almost scrambled comedically back into the pick-up and zoomed off with wheelspin and a very bouncy exit from the scene. Whatever they were up to, it smacked of no good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, their hasty exit provided us with an unencumbered campsite with an abundance of soft green grass and copious supplies of fresh clean water. It was bloody lovely to lie down in the (poorly pitched) Notch and doze for an hour or so. It had only been a 22km day, but I was bushed.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUUvAt7kGCT1pBNXV2WF3SORGndnMoEcx2jT2eF7KErK0fkT4STRC5-fDQJ-z5KHPM_W6EbNOgWFHioqzd208fU2O3owMQoJpJubbwMuRcibI-qqb8JuqhvQgXy4snLGrsz_VnPZUbY2xjXnE9RXKeGj5bEMqhgCMZif3hdtJ7WpEk7wJcEc/s1515/IMG_20210629_192757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1515" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUUvAt7kGCT1pBNXV2WF3SORGndnMoEcx2jT2eF7KErK0fkT4STRC5-fDQJ-z5KHPM_W6EbNOgWFHioqzd208fU2O3owMQoJpJubbwMuRcibI-qqb8JuqhvQgXy4snLGrsz_VnPZUbY2xjXnE9RXKeGj5bEMqhgCMZif3hdtJ7WpEk7wJcEc/w640-h346/IMG_20210629_192757.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HOME FOR THE NIGHT</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLHhNn-Y_Gjoyrt99xtYcl4mp9S5-Z3FXREZX-JF0aY78qVS43bWyXAkU8lmzj9bo1_U6Cc5qA-zSIeOH_npJuUBz940_YRM2kV8m0NHM8se0UxpOws43xJZxI7FzVB6Yer7qhKhC_VevPpU-y5bH_xHGiikcTygFj1lyC9DPWNAoUafG29Y/s820/Screenshot_20210629_174328_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="395" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLHhNn-Y_Gjoyrt99xtYcl4mp9S5-Z3FXREZX-JF0aY78qVS43bWyXAkU8lmzj9bo1_U6Cc5qA-zSIeOH_npJuUBz940_YRM2kV8m0NHM8se0UxpOws43xJZxI7FzVB6Yer7qhKhC_VevPpU-y5bH_xHGiikcTygFj1lyC9DPWNAoUafG29Y/w309-h640/Screenshot_20210629_174328_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">WE ARE HERE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="528" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2sglrbx6rVo" width="634" youtube-src-id="2sglrbx6rVo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-73774187727751852302021-12-11T16:11:00.008+00:002021-12-15T22:11:08.322+00:00TGO Challenge 2021: DAY 11: To Clova Hotel<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today we're taking on Jock's Road, a lovely walk over to Glen Clova in great weather, which is helpful. It's by no means the most difficult route out of Lochcallater Lodge, but it's not a route to be complacent about as it rises to over 3000ft for quite a distance and so is very exposed in poor weather. Amazingly we leave without a hangover, which is highly unusual! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Oddly, Lindsay & I are not the last away this morning and we're soon strolling alongside Loch Callater in warm sunshine, on our way to Jock's Road. Before too long some younger and fitter types (Jess springs to mind here) flew past us as we make our way past the huge bowl of Coire Loch Kander and around and into the morraines at the head of Glen Callater. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A decent rest is taken, with plenty of rehydration and the water bottles filled to the brim. This next section is always hard work and today will be tougher than normal because of the heat. Over the years I must have been this way three or four times and have invariably missed the crossing point of the burn to collect the zig-zags up the grassy headwall. It's the same today but it's just a matter of heading up the centre of the grass until you hit either a zig or zag, so that you can continue with decent footholds on the very steep path. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Tsmkvgm5Ng/YbKBoziWCaI/AAAAAAABUaE/JagIO0fU0IYK6KagQlm0jA_KofGeAREcACPcBGAsYHg/s2936/IMG_20210628_085746.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1925" data-original-width="2936" height="420" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Tsmkvgm5Ng/YbKBoziWCaI/AAAAAAABUaE/JagIO0fU0IYK6KagQlm0jA_KofGeAREcACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h420/IMG_20210628_085746.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE START OF COIRE LOCH KANDER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xb-c9DnOxTA/YbKBo3UxBkI/AAAAAAABUaE/ueyquppZpbQlyj_LEs3dIImO9lFEl9OdQCPcBGAsYHg/s3608/IMG_20210628_085800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="3608" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xb-c9DnOxTA/YbKBo3UxBkI/AAAAAAABUaE/ueyquppZpbQlyj_LEs3dIImO9lFEl9OdQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h428/IMG_20210628_085800.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOKING BACK FROM THE MORRAINES DOWN GLEN CALLATER </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_0_cH6D6qc/YbKBo9aKsDI/AAAAAAABUaE/HEy6s0JcxmIQoliISz3s8JyqY2e9LFqOQCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210628_105856.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="3648" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_0_cH6D6qc/YbKBo9aKsDI/AAAAAAABUaE/HEy6s0JcxmIQoliISz3s8JyqY2e9LFqOQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h354/IMG_20210628_105856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOKING BACK TO THE CAIRNGORMS </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I tell myself that it's important to take plenty of rests as this is the grunty bit of the day and it's best to get to the top without blowing a gasket. It's an opportunity to take some snaps whilst your heart tries to burst out of your chest cavity. Lindsay's very patient and together we make our way to the break of slope, which seems to take considerably longer than it used to. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVC2C3G5FBI/YbKBowuU7vI/AAAAAAABUaE/Hivz12NoSGsp9QYc9TCkT7poGuUjOVPJgCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210628_110030%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVC2C3G5FBI/YbKBowuU7vI/AAAAAAABUaE/Hivz12NoSGsp9QYc9TCkT7poGuUjOVPJgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210628_110030%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>But make it I do and the girl kindly takes a rare snap of me before we head off up the moor to find the old fenceline that steers us to Crow Craigies. As it hoves into view we spot the three Challengers who had passed us on the way up disappear over the horizon, not to be seen again until the hotel in the evening..</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dac206MJETM" width="320" youtube-src-id="dac206MJETM"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">VIDEO FROM OUR LUNCHSPOT ON CROW CRAIGIES </div><div><br /></div><div>It's an airy amble from Crow Craigies with the occasional steep descent where care is taken, but the sense of space and freedom is all consuming. From their cries, crows, buzzards and larks seem to fill the sky yet few are seen. This is glorious hill country. We meet quite a few walkers coming the other way, one a Challenger from a few years ago. One such meeting that has stuck in my mind was a father and young son heading up at a cracking pace. The boy was all smiles and Dad was trying gamely to keep up. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next stop was Davey's Bourach - the emergency shelter that has recently undergone a major renovation - and I was glad of the shade. The interior must now be three times the size of the original shelter. It's constructed from hefty timbers that support the metal cladding roof that is in turn covered by peaty soils and heather, to blend in to the surroundings. </div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSJAndmqZcA/YbKBo67uvhI/AAAAAAABUaE/p9ynAcn289s9B1j23tCLjGmeqeqp5QMLACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210628_131141.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSJAndmqZcA/YbKBo67uvhI/AAAAAAABUaE/p9ynAcn289s9B1j23tCLjGmeqeqp5QMLACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210628_131141.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">INTERIOR OF THE ENLARGED EMERGENCY SHELTER </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qTDmMybNmo/YbKBo6XqivI/AAAAAAABUaE/8qyx-ddEM8EfpdP5C9s9pZNU-kmr2bJ3gCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210628_132129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qTDmMybNmo/YbKBo6XqivI/AAAAAAABUaE/8qyx-ddEM8EfpdP5C9s9pZNU-kmr2bJ3gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210628_132129.jpg" style="opacity: 1;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ENTRANCE TO THE EMERGENCY SHELTER </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>It's now a direct line that slices diagonally down the hillside, crossing a refreshing splash beneath a waterfall. This is a great descent but it can be very slippery in the rain and we're soon at the entrance to the planted forest. There's not much can be said of the forest - it's a traditional planting, with little light filtering down to the floor. The track is softened by the pine needles but it's straight, with occasional boggy and rocky sections to slow any racers. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5h0i0RhNc8/YbKBox6GxBI/AAAAAAABUaE/g0i5Z271a-gbiN7rEUq7YXgr0DOiu9mPgCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210628_133242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2207" data-original-width="3648" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5h0i0RhNc8/YbKBox6GxBI/AAAAAAABUaE/g0i5Z271a-gbiN7rEUq7YXgr0DOiu9mPgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h388/IMG_20210628_133242.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW DOWN TO GLEN DOLL</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJkhNnuAbQI/YbKBoyl7mVI/AAAAAAABUaE/iUS7xHhvfRQdXev2AlGXFm0R176k6lYXQCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210628_143914.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2521" data-original-width="3648" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJkhNnuAbQI/YbKBoyl7mVI/AAAAAAABUaE/iUS7xHhvfRQdXev2AlGXFm0R176k6lYXQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h442/IMG_20210628_143914.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SOFTNESS IN THE HARD FORESTRY</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We make the car park and picnic area and head straight for a bench for our last stop before the seemingly endless trudge down the road to the hotel. The sunshine is still warm and we spend an age luxuriating in not walking. Neither Lindsay nor I make any attempt to get up and get it done. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVp0P02kfUk/YbKBo_NxjqI/AAAAAAABUaE/tuEfmttJgxYKkrvE7a7ySdRZzPfeuWUEQCPcBGAsYHg/s3532/IMG_20210628_151109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="3532" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVp0P02kfUk/YbKBo_NxjqI/AAAAAAABUaE/tuEfmttJgxYKkrvE7a7ySdRZzPfeuWUEQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h336/IMG_20210628_151109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually one of us cracks and we find ourselves easing back into walking mode. Any views are off to the right across the valley as to the left we have a scree fest with sour grasses. It could all do with a bit of a tidy up if I'm honest. Eventually the hotel arrives and we dive into reception, with lots of Covid precautions all over the shop. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before too long I'm in my room and waste no time trashing the place and washing away a couple of days of trail grime. There's no phone signal, so I email Challenge Control to tell them all's well. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then it's back downstairs to be organised into socially distanced dining. I know all this is necessary, but I hate it. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Emn6jVZryyI/YbKBo_Z6PlI/AAAAAAABUaE/m8AnEd0LnWk1Xo7pDLzYF8pKdk7Aks8sgCPcBGAsYHg/s2240/Screenshot_20210628_174239_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2240" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Emn6jVZryyI/YbKBo_Z6PlI/AAAAAAABUaE/m8AnEd0LnWk1Xo7pDLzYF8pKdk7Aks8sgCPcBGAsYHg/w308-h640/Screenshot_20210628_174239_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOME FOR THE NIGHT </td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">The Dining Room, it's fair to say, is mostly made up of TGO Challengers in varying hues of 'au de armpit' amplified perhaps by my own wonderful freshness. Of course everyone wants to eat together, which is anathema to an organised kitchen, but by dint of a miracle and everyone ordering similar food it sort of happens. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm not the greatest company as I am well and truly shagged after what for me in my present condition has been a big day. It's as much as I can manage to agree a time for breakfast with Lindsay before I head back up to sleep like a baby. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I owe Lindsay a great deal. I have been walking with Lord Elpus on the Challenge for over twenty years, and we know each other well enough to be able to tell when the other is not firing on all four and we each make allowances and cajole, bother, and beast each other as required. Lindsay, bless her, has looked after me at nowhere near my best and has done so with good humour, kindness and the occasional boot up the backside. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cheers, Missy! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g2WxSIL7RRQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="g2WxSIL7RRQ"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-88828680320211202882021-11-21T23:05:00.001+00:002021-11-23T07:47:39.156+00:00TGO Challenge 2021: To Loch Callater<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday afternoon hadn't gone exactly to plan, which was how I found myself in the Co-op mid morning on Sunday (today is Sunday) buying stuff for the next leg of the Challenge - from Braemar to Brechin over three days. After a cake lunch at the Hazelnut Patisserie I had, for once in my life, headed straight to the hotel rather than slip into the Fife Arms for a quick one and staying for more. I blame Phil. Now he was absent I slipped effortlessly past temptation. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">With laundry performed and the room trashed with steaming washing, I lay back on the bed watching Wales vs Denmark on the telly, drinking tea and scoffing the biscuits. So far so good.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then promptly fell asleep.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A hastily rearranged meet with Lindsay and the others meant that the food shopping had been missed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>******</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I met up with Lindsay and seemingly half the TGO Challenge at the Coffee Bothy - attached to the excellent Braemar Mountain Sports - on a rather blissful sunny morning.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUgQY_TutpA/YZqp_R_HpXI/AAAAAAABTLc/ZsWI8xBcC4EKzHwY1fQxspzx2X8JRZEIwCPcBGAsYHg/s2973/IMG_20210627_110233.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="2973" height="562" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUgQY_TutpA/YZqp_R_HpXI/AAAAAAABTLc/ZsWI8xBcC4EKzHwY1fQxspzx2X8JRZEIwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h562/IMG_20210627_110233.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">STEVIE, MORNING COFFEE AT THE BOTHY, BRAEMAR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It took me a while to fit the extraordinarily large bag of shopping into my pack. More pies and moist pastries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Morning coffee sashayed into an early lunch, which was closely followed by a few beers and cakes as the sun rose to its zenith and the sun tan cream applied. This was more like it! This was decent weather for Provence, let alone Braemar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More and more Challengers arrived and before too long we had taken over the decking outside the cafe.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rt5s2MSumGU/YZqp_W2hTkI/AAAAAAABTLc/TNgLkABc0Nwf5CuMhkDKuh39_j02EJA-ACPcBGAsYHg/s3225/IMG_20210627_124545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="3225" height="490" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rt5s2MSumGU/YZqp_W2hTkI/AAAAAAABTLc/TNgLkABc0Nwf5CuMhkDKuh39_j02EJA-ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h490/IMG_20210627_124545.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CHALLENGERS AT LUNCH AT THE BOTHY, BRAEMAR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">As is ever the case, we hoisted our packs way later than planned and started the gentle saunter up the Golf Course Road. Today's walk is designed to place us in a position to make the day to Clova far more manageable, as it cuts six miles from an otherwise big day from Braemar to Clova. And of course, in a normal year it means that we get to spend the night at Lochcallater Lodge hosted by wonderful friends of the Challenge, Bill and Michael.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the minor road section past the golf course I recall an incident with a Scottish knuckle-dragger supposedly in charge of a van who tried to run both Lindsay and the group behind us off the road. I'm glad to say that Lindsay doesn't take prisoners and he was told off soundly and roundly.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's a lovely stroll up to Loch Callater and we were soon overhauled by Jess and Ian who had formed a partnership born out of similar pace - they both trundle along at warp speed. They were soon little specks in the distance. It's generally a Sunday for this part of the Challenge and as we walk up we are always met by a procession of happy walkers coming back down from their big days in the hills. This year they were bronze-limbed, clad as they were in shorts and t-shirts and smiley under a brilliant blue sky.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wjm44Cifqs/YZqqSnVAzMI/AAAAAAABTLk/W76idoUUi5Y2XvWyuwXxMWMDvVfwDotfwCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/Screenshot%2B%25288%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="2560" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wjm44Cifqs/YZqqSnVAzMI/AAAAAAABTLk/W76idoUUi5Y2XvWyuwXxMWMDvVfwDotfwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h320/Screenshot%2B%25288%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">WALKING UP TO LOCH CALLATER</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify;">We were among that last to arrive. There were tents pitched down by the loch and scattered around the Lodge. It was such a shame that Covid had ruined the annual gathering at the Lodge this year as there was a wonderful bunch in attendance, marking their respect to Bill (and Stan) and Michael and the team that in all other years look after us all so handsomely. </span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZP6UdZpGjI/YZqqhS_mZZI/AAAAAAABTLo/s9beDJrPSz4gYgyTGxs7pni5Qdw4U9qkACPcBGAsYHg/s3350/IMG_20210627_221528.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2242" data-original-width="3350" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZP6UdZpGjI/YZqqhS_mZZI/AAAAAAABTLo/s9beDJrPSz4gYgyTGxs7pni5Qdw4U9qkACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h428/IMG_20210627_221528.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOCHCALLATER LODGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWgZ_kdGpAc/YZqqhfStlWI/AAAAAAABTLo/wvAUfY_YeYMKO5-b9tN2quLKvkJQM2V2ACPcBGAsYHg/s3431/IMG_20210627_221630.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3431" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWgZ_kdGpAc/YZqqhfStlWI/AAAAAAABTLo/wvAUfY_YeYMKO5-b9tN2quLKvkJQM2V2ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h388/IMG_20210627_221630.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NATALIE NOTCH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We were incredibly grateful that the bothy was unlocked as it was a still evening and the midges were out in full force. My supper was a dehydrated fish soup. It was supposed to be a fish curry but the fill line was woefully inaccurate. I suppose I needed the fluid.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whisky was taken and a gentle evening had in the bothy until sleep called. I do sleep incredibly well in the Notch as there's a lot of head room when you're lying down compared to the Trailstar. It seems to make a big difference.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KFfjEQVjqM/YZqqhdZHV7I/AAAAAAABTLo/-vJ-Sndzv0EaNUMKfC94UIp4czAAjRrNACPcBGAsYHg/s3428/IMG_20210627_223637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2149" data-original-width="3428" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KFfjEQVjqM/YZqqhdZHV7I/AAAAAAABTLo/-vJ-Sndzv0EaNUMKfC94UIp4czAAjRrNACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h402/IMG_20210627_223637.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">IAN & LINDSAY, LOCH CALLATER BOTHY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TArnG4I6aSs/YZqqhVMmPTI/AAAAAAABTLo/mJTjH0LnQ3U-MBzkilW9sxw2Vb45jANDgCPcBGAsYHg/s2614/IMG_20210627_223837.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="2614" height="626" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TArnG4I6aSs/YZqqhVMmPTI/AAAAAAABTLo/mJTjH0LnQ3U-MBzkilW9sxw2Vb45jANDgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h626/IMG_20210627_223837.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKfYCwa9FXY/YZqqwoJB7iI/AAAAAAABTLs/fUMLgISL7K87RPQI77Hod_tXTge9lmvWwCPcBGAsYHg/s1872/Screenshot_20210627_191630_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKfYCwa9FXY/YZqqwoJB7iI/AAAAAAABTLs/fUMLgISL7K87RPQI77Hod_tXTge9lmvWwCPcBGAsYHg/w370-h640/Screenshot_20210627_191630_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="370" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CAMP</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="463" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8M5YeZIg71U" width="612" youtube-src-id="8M5YeZIg71U"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PLAY AS A LOOP, ON ELEVEN</span></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-77333043290771101492021-11-17T23:34:00.005+00:002021-11-18T20:50:19.549+00:00TGO Challenge 2021: Day 9: To Braemar<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Kirsten was packed by 7:30 and so made use of her time by chivying Colin along. This brought back, with huge fondness, memories of walking with Maria van de Flugt for a few days back in 1998. She had formed the impression that Prof White and me were idle layabouts who liked nothing better than to lie either in our sleeping bags or down in the heather at every available opportunity. She would allow ten minutes before the encouragement to move along began. We generally had forty minute breaks. In fairness, she was not too far from the truth but we did actually cover long distances over some pretty tough terrain. I believe I witnessed young Colin receiving a 'full Maria' in this picture.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RF3OVKelHpI/YZVFQZs0-LI/AAAAAAABTFY/oaBp0GVrfhoKaKOi7jxpTFFNjnveDUZ3gCPcBGAsYHg/s3597/IMG_20210626_074325.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2391" data-original-width="3597" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RF3OVKelHpI/YZVFQZs0-LI/AAAAAAABTFY/oaBp0GVrfhoKaKOi7jxpTFFNjnveDUZ3gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/IMG_20210626_074325.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">KIRSTEN, COLIN PACKING, WITH A WALL OF THE DUBRACH SETTLEMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DEE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">I've combined two days for the map, as both days are half walking days, just over eight miles to Braemar and six miles from Braemar to Loch Callater. This meant that I had plenty of time today - a Saturday, to get the food shopping before the shops shut and still be able to luxuriate in my hotel room, have cups of tea, get the washing done and go out for dinner. Tomorrow would be a nice lie-in, a decent hotel breakfast and a morning either in the pub or a cafe before heading off to Loch Callater to continue the walk and an evening with friends.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nui4955ErA8/YZVEImqCP8I/AAAAAAABTFM/t8_DS1AlphwwxG4pwk4ISQbc7iQdztijACPcBGAsYHg/s2560/Screenshot%2B%25288%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="2560" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nui4955ErA8/YZVEImqCP8I/AAAAAAABTFM/t8_DS1AlphwwxG4pwk4ISQbc7iQdztijACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h320/Screenshot%2B%25288%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAYS NINE & TEN. CLICK TO ENLARGE. BRAEMAR IS THE RED DOT ON THE PROFILE DIAGRAM</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Combined Distance: 23 km<div>Combined Ascent: 510 m<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Our happy band of walker's first pause was taken at the bridge at the Linn of Dee. It had a been a pretty dry first week of the Challenge and so there wasn't a lot of water in the Linn, but it's not a stretch to imagine the water belting along in spate.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A66-gX_tj0k/YZVGFGFAFQI/AAAAAAABTFg/26iCgu60NLU-8xdh9yINQ4lvwdNGNEW-QCPcBGAsYHg/s2736/IMG_20210626_093725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A66-gX_tj0k/YZVGFGFAFQI/AAAAAAABTFg/26iCgu60NLU-8xdh9yINQ4lvwdNGNEW-QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/IMG_20210626_093725.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINN OF DEE, TAKEN FROM THE BRIDGE: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Being a caring soul, rather than over-stretching your mind, I've borrowed a picture of the Linn from the Facebook page for the River Dee (see link below the picture) of a fairly normal high flow. Earlier in the year the Dee was all but filling the arch of the stone bridge.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUoUGooLQPA/YZV1ElRyBSI/AAAAAAABTG8/PDIH_uTDLrcm4VPZ5fUYzjOHJW5tkD77QCPcBGAsYHg/s1440/67881082_2304257243029017_5963244756837335040_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUoUGooLQPA/YZV1ElRyBSI/AAAAAAABTG8/PDIH_uTDLrcm4VPZ5fUYzjOHJW5tkD77QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/67881082_2304257243029017_5963244756837335040_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TAKEN FROM THE <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheRiverDee" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RIVER DEE'S FACEBOOK PAGE</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">I've walked past this lovely little post box at Inverey quite a few times over the years and I've always been interested in it because it's a wall box and not a fee standing pillar box - the wall being three slabs of granite clad around the box. However, Google comes to the rescue - of a sort - with </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_box" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">this article</span></a><span style="text-align: justify;">, which a little unhappily doesn't quite nail the beast down. However, it does explain why it's a wall box and not a pillar box.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No. I'm not going to tell you; you'll have to read the very interesting piece. Expend a little effort, it's good for the mind. It looks to me to be a modified Smith and Hawkes No 2 size (WB78). I say modified, because it looks to have had a front collection plate at the top of the box that has been removed. Of course, these days there are no longer 'next collection' plates. Royal Mail is quite content for its customers to only know the last time of collection and so sadly the little collection plates are no more. That's progress.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1KFtyhZeuk/YZVGQsY2DwI/AAAAAAABTFk/q-gHAVMqRromQHxR9iVu3qumGkZxsBx3gCPcBGAsYHg/s3470/IMG_20210626_101705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3470" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1KFtyhZeuk/YZVGQsY2DwI/AAAAAAABTFk/q-gHAVMqRromQHxR9iVu3qumGkZxsBx3gCPcBGAsYHg/w504-h640/IMG_20210626_101705.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SMITH & HAWKES SMALL WALLBOX OF AROUND 1861</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We continued on our way, and the next point of interest was the monument at Inverey. It was erected to a man born locally, at Corrimulzie a few steps eastward, who emigrated to Bavaria and rose to become the Astronomer Royal. I've provided a link beneath the photograph which will provide you with all the gen.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qo8MHBtVZdo/YZVuIxCBDTI/AAAAAAABTGo/HKUs7ifR7WQuD0tP-FxgpM3mIM3Q48pRACPcBGAsYHg/s2048/bd4a5ddb-59c3-42d9-87d5-07e0f8613d74.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qo8MHBtVZdo/YZVuIxCBDTI/AAAAAAABTGo/HKUs7ifR7WQuD0tP-FxgpM3mIM3Q48pRACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/bd4a5ddb-59c3-42d9-87d5-07e0f8613d74.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MONUMENT TO JOHN LAMONT, PICTURE TAKEN FROM THIS EXCELLENT PAGE: </span><a href="https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm11FZZ_John_Lamont_Inverey_Aberdeenshire_UK" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And so onward to the next P.O.I. (Stick around, you learn things here) Which is the small cluster of refuse bins outside a row of cottages in Inverey. Some of the group - no names, no pack drill - made use of the public spiritedness of the kind folk of Inverey and emptied three tons of assorted rubbish from their packs into said receptacles. Okay, some of the stuff you learn here may not be right up the street of those not wishing to dispose of six weeks of backpacking rubbish, but in case they ever change their minds, here it is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's a long old road walk to Braemar but we had a delightful stop at the roadside overlooking a track that descended to the Dee. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now here's the thing. From before time began I've been walking the TGO Challenge with the very dapper, ageless, Lord Elpus. When times got tough he has been my rock. Indeed when pitching Trinnie Trailstar and her inner, he has invariably finished loading up his Akto with all a gentleman could require for an evening, and then set about fetching the water. Seeing me still fixing the inner to Trinnie, he *always* very kindly fetched water for me. A proper gent. The little kindnesses - sharing his last jelly babies, not farting until downwind - all those little gestures of friendship; they mean a lot to a chap. But I've been walking with Lindsay for three days now, and I see that Phil might need to up his game a little.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When walking up the Feshie it suddenly turned squally and for the life of me I could not find my gloves. Not a problem: Lindsay had a spare pare immediately to hand. And now, at the side of the road the lass spotted a couple of rather nice log chopping blocks. She maneuvered the (quite heavy) blighters over to where we were sat to provide two very comfortable seats to make our rest more enjoyable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll just leave this here, in case Elpus swans over to this place. Food for thought, Phil?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We decided against walking through the (delightful as they are) woods to the Tomintoul viewpoint, as the view is now blocked by fast growing birch trees and so plodded along the road, which has excellent views of its own, and eventually the metropolis is reached in the form of the Hazelnut Patisserie. This is not my picture - I swiped it from Google Maps. The accreditation is a link below the picture.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOpo4X_d9cs/YZWHSQaWjCI/AAAAAAABTHs/QMuYcKeD2BM1sG9OeIrQTLC_WkCAwvITwCPcBGAsYHg/s1898/Screenshot%2B%25289%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1898" height="352" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOpo4X_d9cs/YZWHSQaWjCI/AAAAAAABTHs/QMuYcKeD2BM1sG9OeIrQTLC_WkCAwvITwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h352/Screenshot%2B%25289%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">IMAGE SWIPED FROM GOOGLE</span> - <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/114759310383414281418/photos/@52.3771797,-0.6924394,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Charles Gunning</span></a>'s picture</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">For older, experienced Challengers who may be confused by change (that's me) this used to be a wonderful emporium known as 'Taste'. I'm not sure what happened but the new business is jolly good too, with outside tables and chairs not shown in the picture - but of course this may be down to Covid and no one being allowed to sit inside. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Whatever, before too long there was a host of Challengers taking over the place. We noticed a sudden disappearance of the clientele who were here on our arrival. Perhaps it was the whiff of three days out in the hills? A high carbo-loading of sweet gorgeousness from the cake display satisfied my immediate cravings for decent food and I set off again to find my lodgings - the Braemar Lodge Hotel, to be looked after by its long standing proprietors, Ronnie & Fiona - to trash my room on arrival and lie on the bed drinking tea and scoffing the biscuits.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The evening was spent in the bar of the Invercauld Arms, which was being refurbished, with Martin & Sue Banfield and of course Lindsay. They weren't doing food so Lindsay and I managed to nab a table at the Braemar Lodge Hotel's restaurant and did it very well indeed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="406" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZLjprbeWMxQ" width="587" youtube-src-id="ZLjprbeWMxQ"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">H/T MARK ALVAREZ</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-81224915055843188602021-11-13T22:44:00.003+00:002022-04-20T10:25:34.845+01:00TGO Challenge 2021: Day 8: To Tomnamoine <p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm starting today's post with some thoughts that sprang to mind at the finish of the day, at the abandoned settlement of Tomnamoine.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">To keep things manageable for the Vetters (the brilliant guys who check each and everyone's routes before they're allowed on the TGO Challenge) the only locations or features that are allowed on a route sheet are those shown on the Ordnance Survey's 1:50k maps. You won't find Tomnamoine (look up at the title of this post) on today's route map as it appears only on the O.S's 1:25k maps. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is a shame. As you stroll along this section of the River Dee you'll find evidence of abandoned settlements all around you. This area was first settled eight thousand years ago at the Chest of Dee (see the overview map of today's route). This was just a few thousand years after the last glaciation that I mentioned earlier in this blog of my crossing - the Loch Lomond Stadial Advance - that would have covered this glen under hundreds of metres of ice. The planet warmed very quickly (far faster than its current warming phase) which allowed people from Europe to travel via Doggerland (no sniggering at the back, please) and start a new life here, at first as hunters and then as increasingly benign conditions prevailed, farmers. It was this neolithic population that cleared the forests and with primitive ploughs established small farming communities - like those shown on the detailed 1:25k map below. The climate back then was far warmer than present across Europe, as can be seen from widespread abandoned settlements on the uplands across Britain.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">All that now remains are the ruins of the communities and the old field systems that can be seen from the air. There's discussion around why and when these settlements were abandoned; the jury's out whether it was the climate suddenly cooling in the 1780s with agriculture failing and widespread famine across Britain and Northern Europe, or the more recent political reasoning of the Clearances. It was probably both. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Whatever the reason, as the sun sets and the air stills it's not difficult to visualise these communities as they once were.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejV_W2nlpp4/YY18OtUP5CI/AAAAAAABSwI/l_W4MjbOgGAlh-3be77Qt5MzHpStWL-4QCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/Screenshot%2B%25286%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="2560" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejV_W2nlpp4/YY18OtUP5CI/AAAAAAABSwI/l_W4MjbOgGAlh-3be77Qt5MzHpStWL-4QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h320/Screenshot%2B%25286%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">UNUSUALLY, THE FIRST MAP OF TODAY'S POST IS OF THE FINISH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back in the present, as I scribble down these thoughts on the laptop there's only one more day to save the planet from a fiery hell at COP26 in Glasgow. Forgive me if I stifle a yawn.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">******</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's get back to the here and now, at Ruigh Aiteachain Bothy back down in Glen Feshie, where we left everyone last night. Breakfasted and well rested we swept the place clean, put all the furniture back where we found it and donning our waterproofs headed out once again into the Great Outdoors. In fairness, the weather was 'soft' and the wind came from behind so it was not bad at all. Here's the map for today:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3q_mBz923A/YYv56d7634I/AAAAAAABSuI/mbZzPPcv7q0SJh84ZcLItbj7-J0dIPfAgCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/Screenshot%2B%25285%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2560" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3q_mBz923A/YYv56d7634I/AAAAAAABSuI/mbZzPPcv7q0SJh84ZcLItbj7-J0dIPfAgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h320/Screenshot%2B%25285%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 8: BLACK DASH</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ED LINE - CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Distance: 24 km</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ascent: 530 m</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Today we're heading over the watershed that separates the River Feshie from the River Dee. To start with it's a refreshing walk through birch, alder, larch and juniper. The granny Caledonian pines are now splendidly surrounded by their flourishing offspring. With the untamed spectacularly braided Feshie alongside and a flourishing new ecosystem Glen Feshie is becoming a haven for wild life once again. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This all came about with the purchase of the Glen Feshie Estate some fifteen years ago by a Danish billionaire, Anders Holch Povlsen, who set about a drastic cull of red deer to about two per square kilometre. This has meant that trees and shrubs have had free rein to establish themselves rather than being chewed back down to the roots. Those roots are now intertwining to create a more substantial substrate that prevents erosion and soil loss.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I first walked through Glen Feshie on the Challenge twenty five years ago. I thought it an amazing place at the time. Now it's quite simply jaw-droppingly beautiful. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I knew there was a path that split away from the main drag up the glen that takes you up a well constructed ramp to a skinny little trod across a steep landslip about twenty metres about the Feshie that eats into the scree at the foot of the slope. I was looking out for it. Continuously. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, with all the dramatic new growth we were walking single file through a narrow corridor of birch, dripping wet branches brushing either side, I missed it and was faced abruptly with the Feshie bang in front of me. To regain the correct path would either mean backtracking five hundred yards or so, or clambering up the side of the scree and scrub. I didn't fancy the climb and being a lazy bum didn't fancy retracing my steps either.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I decided that it was probably easier just to ford the Feshie a couple of times to get to the point where the landslip trod descended back to the track. Andy and Paul were in trainers, so it was no big deal for them and I never mind getting wet feet as my boots fit like well-loved slippers and are never overly bothered by being wet. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">At this point Paul - a man with steam pistons for legs - reckoned he could make the path above and so clambered up the steep scree and scrub and headed off in the direction of the landslip. It looked to be too much of an effort for me and one I didn't feel comfortable with.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I think Lindsay and Andy thought the same so before ploughing into the river I reminded them that we would be crossing the river twice. Lindsay decided to don her Crocs and keep her boots dry. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sometime as I was wading across the first crossing we must have been joined by Richard who had caught us up. He couldn't have heard me saying about the two crossings, because as we had regained our original bank after both wades we noticed that he had disappeared from view. Lindsay was sure he had been following her across. Had he fallen in?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The answer to our question became clear when he reappeared, dropping down to the second crossing to see us on the other side of the river. He had put his boots back on after the first wade and was now faced with taking them off again and repeating the process. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Richard's a good man and did see the funny side of it when he rejoined us on our bank. Well, we all did.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOV7ydmSV2U/YYv9VDbOToI/AAAAAAABSuc/yw0QiHY3yL0H9gUZiNzTOomm8WWJcVNWACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210625_090139.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOV7ydmSV2U/YYv9VDbOToI/AAAAAAABSuc/yw0QiHY3yL0H9gUZiNzTOomm8WWJcVNWACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210625_090139.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PAUL ON THE LANDSLIP PATH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've written before on <a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2020/04/tgo-challenge-2019-day-nine.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">this blog</span></a> how I take my rests on a walk and how people unused to it are surprised at how early in the day I take a break. The next couple of pictures are taken from lying almost prone (it's much warmer lying down as you're out of the wind) as my companions look on, slightly perplexed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVeaieaZ3N4/YYv9sviCWqI/AAAAAAABSuk/HV6CRNe4q2YhYQRjiF_eDlxvU1HflmxnwCPcBGAsYHg/s3466/IMG_20210625_110404%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2569" data-original-width="3466" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVeaieaZ3N4/YYv9sviCWqI/AAAAAAABSuk/HV6CRNe4q2YhYQRjiF_eDlxvU1HflmxnwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h474/IMG_20210625_110404%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RICHARD, LINDSAY, COLIN & ANDY</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--USczFnHHk0/YYv9sl-va7I/AAAAAAABSuk/iAHDZMGkmWwifTZm8mBoUw7a-XBiQppOACPcBGAsYHg/s3345/IMG_20210625_110410.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3345" data-original-width="2335" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--USczFnHHk0/YYv9sl-va7I/AAAAAAABSuk/iAHDZMGkmWwifTZm8mBoUw7a-XBiQppOACPcBGAsYHg/w446-h640/IMG_20210625_110410.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PAUL</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I took very few pictures on this section as the weather was blowy and wet, but I snaffled this picture from one of Richard's public posts, of our group as we were heading towards the virtually derelict pony hut before the Eidart bridge.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNgl1ls1nZM/YYv-EuZBRWI/AAAAAAABSus/hZUjaDiyHhs056rIpcrVTH3VLIocJLCAwCPcBGAsYHg/s960/FB_IMG_1624725259423%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNgl1ls1nZM/YYv-EuZBRWI/AAAAAAABSus/hZUjaDiyHhs056rIpcrVTH3VLIocJLCAwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/FB_IMG_1624725259423%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RICHARD'S PICTURE OF THE CREW</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After the old Pony Hut, the next landmark is the River Eidart and its bridge, positioned over a fine waterfall. The bridge deck had obviously seen better days - they were the original planks - and a few months after we crossed, the planks were replaced with lovely new ones, which will probably see me and quite a few other Challengers out. The bridge's handrails always seem to me to be on the low side, a feature I could never understand, having designed quite a few bridges in a past-life. When it's really gusting it's never a comfortable bridge to cross.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAO-KgIW1DM/YYv-WOXcb7I/AAAAAAABSu0/tucOPIn7dekCilEhIqiAwBS6xSrsPfJ9gCPcBGAsYHg/s3506/IMG_20210625_113257.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="3506" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAO-KgIW1DM/YYv-WOXcb7I/AAAAAAABSu0/tucOPIn7dekCilEhIqiAwBS6xSrsPfJ9gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h454/IMG_20210625_113257.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">L TO R: COLIN, ANDY, LINDSAY & PAUL. EIDART BRIDGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then it's a fairly long trundle along a reasonable path up and over the watershed across fairly bleak open moor, with the very large hills of Carn an Fhidlheir and An Scarsog to the south and the Cairnngorms to the north. You're usually blown along this track by the westerlies. Half a mile or so before Geldie Lodge I noticed a lonely a figure making its way down from An Scarsog and continuing down to where the track to the Lodge met our path.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was no surprise to bump into Kirsten, a Challenger who puts in tough routes year after year. She had spent a pretty wild night up top in the very poor weather but was still in good spirits. She and Colin had walked together in the past and together they disappeared into the distance at a cracking pace. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before too long I decided it was time for another rest and so Paul decided he would break away as he was getting quite cold. that left Andy, Richard, Lindsay and me to plod along. I knew that Tomnamoine would offer some shelter from the quite keen wind, with a decent fairly reliable water supply and so decided to make it our home for the night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kirsten, Colin and Paul had obviously thought the same and were camped up when we arrived. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSaL3ZdBCxA/YYv-WOXHr5I/AAAAAAABSu0/r5I1SGLBVcY3EPFl8X9yNUcxC9aCEinRwCPcBGAsYHg/s3617/IMG_20210626_074308%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="3617" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSaL3ZdBCxA/YYv-WOXHr5I/AAAAAAABSu0/r5I1SGLBVcY3EPFl8X9yNUcxC9aCEinRwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h406/IMG_20210626_074308%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TOMNAMOINE ABANDONED TOWNSHIP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Even in poor weather this walk is always deeply rewarding and the sense of space and the power of the landscape never cease to impress. I had had an absolutely brilliant day.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0BYGM7UR--I" width="550" youtube-src-id="0BYGM7UR--I"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TURN IT UP TO ELEVEN</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-57473284412220688362021-11-09T18:12:00.006+00:002021-11-13T18:57:50.458+00:00TGO Challenge 2021: Day 7: To Glen Feshie<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Phil and I invariably take a couple of days to get to Braemar from Kingussie, which involves two quite long days passing though remote landscapes. However, when I planned this year's walk I'd given myself the luxury of three days as I wanted to cross the Cairngorm Plateau and take in a few of the tops. I was also mindful of having surgery just three months beforehand. My struggles on the second and third days of this year's walk suggested that I ought to be sensible and instead enjoy the walk up the Feshie, taking the 'trade route' to Braemar.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lindsay and I met up in the village and set off at a leisurely hour for the stroll to Glen Feshie. We had no fixed plan for a camp spot but thought that anywhere from the bothy onwards would do nicely.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0PiXFoe-64/YYhACoKrA8I/AAAAAAABSqQ/shQ0Fm6QWw8ehhdE7bp-OH7FMdlXQXtOgCPcBGAsYHg/s3408/IMG_20210624_102022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="3408" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0PiXFoe-64/YYhACoKrA8I/AAAAAAABSqQ/shQ0Fm6QWw8ehhdE7bp-OH7FMdlXQXtOgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h450/IMG_20210624_102022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY, IAN AND BRIAN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">At Ruthven Barracks we collected Ian & Brian for a while and together we strolled along until we split at Drumguish as they were heading off toward Aviemore. I hadn't met Brian before but had always been grateful for his helpful advice on the Challenge Message Board so it was good to meet him. There's a lovely little resting place organised by the locals at the crossroads at Drumguish, equipped with a comfortable bench of which I took full advantage. I would have dallied longer had the midges not descended. I'm certainly looking forward to the Challenge resuming its mid-May slot next year.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here's today's route, care of those awfully nice people at Memory-Map. You can click on it to blow it up, as you can any of the pictures, to see them at droolingly lovely bigly-hugeness.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toRmu3Vi_FY/YYg-zCqb7SI/AAAAAAABSqA/SZSrLwlZ47o-saLXDxoLNSwDQi9z14jnwCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/Screenshot%2B%252829%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="2560" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toRmu3Vi_FY/YYg-zCqb7SI/AAAAAAABSqA/SZSrLwlZ47o-saLXDxoLNSwDQi9z14jnwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h322/Screenshot%2B%252829%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 7: THE PURPLE DASHED LINE. CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div>Distance: 17 km</div><div>Ascent: 300 m</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Soon after Drumguish we have a couple of miles walking through a conifer plantation, easy enough walking, and out of the wind so protected from the increasing drizzly weather. It was lovely to have a fun person to chat with after a week in my own company. I'm not suggesting I'm not happy on my own - I walked solo for four months on my LEJOG in 2007 and the discussions then at least had some sort of logic and natural flow to them rather than the crazy careerings of a conversation with, say Mad'n'Bad, Lord Elpus or the Supreme Ruler. Those boys have minds like a modern fighter-jet; inherently unstable, their change of direction is lightning fast and often very difficult to follow let alone keep up with. That's why I love the bastards.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I counted myself fortunate that Lindsay was with me. This girl's also a fighter, and made of the right stuff. The miles peeled away effortlessly in her company.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e__K3SR-cdc" width="475" youtube-src-id="e__K3SR-cdc"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A MIGHTY RIVER CROSSING...</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">It was as we were entering the next chunk of forestry, after Corarnstilmore, that we noticed a lone figure in blue about half a mile behind us. We could make out that he was carrying a backpack but appeared to be travelling at warp speed. Was he on a bicycle? It brought back images of Marshal Joe LeFors and Lord Baltimore hunting down the heroes of this tale. (<a href="https://truewestmagazine.com/article/in-1969s-butch-cassidy-the-sundance-kid-are-the-characters-joe-lefors-and-lord-baltimore-based-on-real-people-2/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid</span></a> - look it up)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="370" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-kbTbg00AJU" width="547" youtube-src-id="-kbTbg00AJU"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Lindsay proposed that we hide behind large trees to ambush the wallah. Having an already full and pretty heavy backpack the only thing I thought might be of use to me were the chap's legs as they seem to be of a much faster variety than those hanging uselessly from my hips. The girl thought there was bound to be some valuable titanium stuff buried within his pack, lighter than our own... We passed on the idea as the rain changed from light to light-medium with cold gusts to boot and so decided to seek shelter for a spot of lunch instead at the first available opportunity.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Taking a break from the now medium to soaking rain under the side canopy of the holiday home at Stronetoper - if these names weren't already in the here and now you would have to make them up for any wild story - who should arrive but Lord Baltimore himself, loosely based on a character known as 'Andy.' He seemed a decent enough sort so we hailed him to join us in our makeshift dining room. He was rightly hesitant as the shelter was pretty poor and we were liberally splattered by overflowing trickles of the deluge with the added convenience of a cold wind whistling about the place. However, with a fine sense of camaraderie he made an effort before suggesting we move on to the more salubrious shelter of the bothy further up the glen. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Through the good offices of the Challenge Message Board we three knew that there was a major washout of the newly built path up the glen at the Allt Garbhlach but we made a reasonable fist of the temporary precipitous descent and the muddy scramble up the other side. As we hauled each other up Paul arrived - you remember Paul of course, from my journey up and my first day - and so now we were four. Now Paul has a gadget for every occasion, and his wrist watch was actually a global positioning device with a screen. On board it had a variety of mapping not known to this luddite. However it helped us choose the correct path towards the bothy that wasnae (we're in Scotland now, so adapt or die) on our vanilla Ordnance Survey jobs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">After a few more steepish ups and downs in the pine woods we came across a sign that pointed up the hill in apparently the completely wrong direction with the word <i>bothy </i>inscribed upon it in a child-like script. Well, we were not going to fall for that little scam, were we? Of course not, so we took the very well made quite new path down towards the Feshie with a devil-may-care spring in our collective step.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">After a grunty, very steep clamber up the side of the heavily eroded bluff, hanging on to twig-like saplings for dear life and an equally steep descent down the other side followed by a bit of a bog hop, we eventually regrouped where the path once more continued onwards up the glen, each older, wiser and more amenable to following child-like scrawlings in the future.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zBT6p8EzSqW-Hqm7TXExmrKLGzbMP43Mu_RHiyjRWyeGAC59WL5AkvjDoBuImkpVbSwthURriR3jHRlzB1Mkj5zIyU21lIRNeUhXvWkDDWWcIK_1kiXOgoSxGWyuM7qRuTEd/s3481/IMG_20210624_144121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="3481" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zBT6p8EzSqW-Hqm7TXExmrKLGzbMP43Mu_RHiyjRWyeGAC59WL5AkvjDoBuImkpVbSwthURriR3jHRlzB1Mkj5zIyU21lIRNeUhXvWkDDWWcIK_1kiXOgoSxGWyuM7qRuTEd/w640-h438/IMG_20210624_144121.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ANDY, PAUL AND LINDSAY, AFTER REGAINING THE WASHED OUT PATH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">If you right-click on the picture and look at Paul's black jacket and his trousers you'll see that it's still raining miserably but our little gang is happy, knowing that the worst of today is now over. We made the bothy at Ruigh Aiteachain with no further mishap and piled inside for a bit of a snoop. The Estate had made a commendable job of the extensive renovation and extension. Even the loo had been extended and improved considerably. We each produced our stoves and decided that before continuing our walk it would be a good idea to have some hot food.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As we were generally lazing about eating and drinking, a Challenge Treasure arrived, Scottish Colin, a veteran of many successful Challenges. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWQfY9wsTeo/YYhDndkrtAI/AAAAAAABSqk/hFTngZSZtOE-n5VzuRde7iGKRv740FcZgCPcBGAsYHg/s3532/IMG_20210624_183705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3532" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWQfY9wsTeo/YYhDndkrtAI/AAAAAAABSqk/hFTngZSZtOE-n5VzuRde7iGKRv740FcZgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h428/IMG_20210624_183705.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A BALANCED DIET; GIN & TONIC AND WHISKY. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Lindsay eschewed hot food, preferring a liquid starter.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The weather outside had now taken a turn for the worse - it looked pretty horrid 'out there.' I decided that despite the Covid restrictions, this was a suitable reason to stay inside and not invite a soaking for the sake of a few extra miles when the next two days were easily do-able from our present warm and dry spot. It didn't take much persuasion for the others to decide the same. There were only us few and plenty of rooms to spread out for the required social distancing. There's a thought. Social distancing in the Great Outdoors. Everyone double jabbed... Colin, however, decided to pop his tent up outside in the maelstrom. He's proper hard.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="354" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yQhqlWDf7K4" width="581" youtube-src-id="yQhqlWDf7K4"></iframe></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-53672529427476300582021-11-02T23:27:00.005+00:002021-11-03T12:15:49.899+00:00TGO Challenge 2021: Day 6: To Kingussie<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps it's age, but I can't recall if it was midgey when I packed up this morning or perhaps it's because I was now inured to the beasts. Stop. That's not possible. It must have been okay. I do remember packing away a bone-dry tent. I like this Cuben fibre stuff - or whatever it's called these days - as it doesn't absorb any water. If it's been raining all it needs is a quick shake and you're packing her away. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I say <i>her</i> I mean that she is definitely female. It's the correct pronoun. As I strolled away this morning I thought it was very odd that she hadn't been named properly yet. In the past I've slept with and adored various shelters - Trinnie Trailstar, Wanda Warmlite, Nelly Nallo and Maud Akto. I know the Akto's name doesn't exactly slip off the tongue but it was Maud Blomqvist who sewed my Akto together in Sweden some twenty six years ago, and who stitched her name onto the inner tent. I often wondered about Maud and what life in Sweden was like for her, sewing away at her machine all those years ago. I pensioned Maud Akto off to Phil's nephew and apparently she is still providing sturdy service.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">I've been toying with 'Natalie Notch'. It would have to be the full unabbreviated Natalie, and certainly not 'Nat'. Nat Notch just sounds plain wrong. We'll see how we get along with Natalie then. I'm already growing quite fond of her even though we've spent just six nights together - four on the Challenge so far and a couple on the Imber Range Perimeter Path back in September of last year.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here's today's walk - a nice stroll taking in some more of Glen Banchor then dropping down into Newtonmore to visit whoever's running the hostel for a cup of tea and then the final amble along the cycleway to The Cross at Kingussie for plutocratic pampering.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJcl0jN6ODI/YX105GbYhqI/AAAAAAABSbA/p-diVMpaWh4YtfsaoEEFLJGnUY91lIYvQCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/Screenshot%2B%252828%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="2560" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJcl0jN6ODI/YX105GbYhqI/AAAAAAABSbA/p-diVMpaWh4YtfsaoEEFLJGnUY91lIYvQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h322/Screenshot%2B%252828%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 6: THE BLACK DASHED LINE. CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 11 km<div>Ascent: 130 m<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I'd noticed some really heavy duty fencing on my way down Glen Banchor yesterday afternoon and this morning I took a closer look. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuHHDqOCRBo/YX12J2ZdQiI/AAAAAAABSbI/P6T7OZB3v6wzNqpYJoffihuKpgka-hjfACPcBGAsYHg/s3568/IMG_20210622_183046%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3568" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuHHDqOCRBo/YX12J2ZdQiI/AAAAAAABSbI/P6T7OZB3v6wzNqpYJoffihuKpgka-hjfACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h374/IMG_20210622_183046%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CLICK TO ENLARGE TO SEE THE FENCING</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's the explanation, as provided by the owners of the fencing, on the two notices pictured below and a third a little further down today's post. It seems to me to be a pretty half-arsed way to go about things. They're putting up sturdy fences (with gates, so access is not obstructed) and then planting trees of various indigenous species within the fences. This is all because of hefty over-grazing from livestock, sheep and deer. I cannot imagine what other animals there are that they refer to that would quite literally raze saplings to the ground. They say the intention, in the long run, will be to remove the fencing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yeah, that'll obviously work... You see, what they're not ever going to do is reduce the grazing of the sheep and deer as both species make money for the two estates involved. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Compare this scheme with that of Glen Feshie, where deer number have been drastically reduced without *any* fencing whatsoever and as a result the natural woodland sprouting up magnificently and wildlife coming back in abundance. Let's be honest, this scheme is a nonsense. If, and I mean <i>if,</i> the fences are removed and deer and sheep numbers stay largely the same, over a short period of time all the new saplings will be gnawed to the ground and what will be left will be a very nice planted woodland that is once again doomed to extinction.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whoever designed this scheme needs their heads read.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrMsTNNoOw8/YX12J0H3vDI/AAAAAAABSbI/WlsuUzRUJMcPpU9EIkRxWQWUZi03-DBzACPcBGAsYHg/s3461/IMG_20210623_081321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3461" data-original-width="2569" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrMsTNNoOw8/YX12J0H3vDI/AAAAAAABSbI/WlsuUzRUJMcPpU9EIkRxWQWUZi03-DBzACPcBGAsYHg/w476-h640/IMG_20210623_081321.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE EXPLANATION: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lArOZjkaxo/YX12Jw2qDEI/AAAAAAABSbI/Be_DdLRJO7E5q9OqxHgn9KVQwI4wXalswCPcBGAsYHg/s3400/IMG_20210623_081352.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="3400" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lArOZjkaxo/YX12Jw2qDEI/AAAAAAABSbI/Be_DdLRJO7E5q9OqxHgn9KVQwI4wXalswCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h482/IMG_20210623_081352.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE EXTENT OF THE UGLY FENCES: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Walking though the deserted Glenballoch farmstead I'm absolutely sure I can recall when this was inhabited. I say absolutely but it was twenty years or so ago, and it was in a sorry state then. I wonder if any of the congregation can help me here? Was that the case? </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZ0K0rbUofk/YX13CYOuHrI/AAAAAAABSbQ/NshS0wI7iDg2BOaMW0J8VPg1rcmEOG1jQCPcBGAsYHg/s3570/IMG_20210623_082444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2151" data-original-width="3570" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZ0K0rbUofk/YX13CYOuHrI/AAAAAAABSbQ/NshS0wI7iDg2BOaMW0J8VPg1rcmEOG1jQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h386/IMG_20210623_082444.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DECAYING BARN, GLENBALLOCH: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghw0Ym1iNkk/YX13CfOL2bI/AAAAAAABSbQ/huXeLJbvoY8HkzXPUFnvT-oCNZZ2Sbg8QCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210623_082627.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="3648" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghw0Ym1iNkk/YX13CfOL2bI/AAAAAAABSbQ/huXeLJbvoY8HkzXPUFnvT-oCNZZ2Sbg8QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h330/IMG_20210623_082627.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GLENBALLOCH FARMSTEAD: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7goayF1PnbM/YX13CXu174I/AAAAAAABSbQ/iPhuB1vItNU69mN_73DLQwBoK1PFEqHCgCPcBGAsYHg/s3487/IMG_20210623_085314.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="3487" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7goayF1PnbM/YX13CXu174I/AAAAAAABSbQ/iPhuB1vItNU69mN_73DLQwBoK1PFEqHCgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h452/IMG_20210623_085314.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THIS BOARD STATES IT'S NECESSARY BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To pin the blame on climate change is surely stretching things way too far. By far and away the largest cause of the deforestation that they are trying to reverse is the overgrazing that the two estates have been happy to see for decades as it's been making them money. However, there's now the public purse to plunder in the form of grants from SEPA and 'NatureScot' (Scottish Natural Heritage's rebrand) and so it's the Scottish Taxpayer who's paying for this, not the people who actually did the damage - the Pitmain & Glenbanchor Estate and the Cluny Estate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just a reminder of Scottish Natural Heritage's record as the custodian of Scottish landscapes; they're the organisation who with virtually a day to go before publishing the Scottish Wild Land Map, removed a huge swathe from the Monadh Liath so the Highland's largest wind farm could be built - the Stronelairg wind farm that is now to be extended again. Custodians? Don't make me laugh. I wouldn't trust these charlatans any further than I could throw them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U56XmZ9UAEo/YX13Cc98OTI/AAAAAAABSbQ/io7k8wp5oNspdFhtO1om4eqWuRC71r7-gCPcBGAsYHg/s3487/IMG_20210623_085511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="3487" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U56XmZ9UAEo/YX13Cc98OTI/AAAAAAABSbQ/io7k8wp5oNspdFhtO1om4eqWuRC71r7-gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h330/IMG_20210623_085511.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING BACK UP GLEN BANCHOR FROM THE CAR PARK BENCH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After clambering up a step little section at the start of the public road you come to the bench situated to the rear of the car park. Well, you do after you have managed to squeeze yourself and your rucksack through the tiniest of gaps left by the inconsiderate couple who had parked their enormous campervan in front of the bench. They seemed enormously put out that I was now sitting on 'their' bench as they were about to tuck in to their fried breakfasts. I feasted on a second breakfast of chocolate cranberries and orange juice as I relaxed into the view back up the glen, despite the malevolent stares from the silent couple. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I recall three campervans parked up which made it difficult for an arriving car with a couple of walkers who were trying to park in the little space left. I may be wrong here but I assume the car park is for day visitors and not for overnight stays by ugly giant white campervans that you can see from miles away up the glen. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I sashayed down the road, satisfied that the campervan couple had been adequately annoyed, and bumped into another Challenger, and please forgive me, but I have the memory of frying pan<b><span style="font-size: medium;">*</span></b>, whose name I have forgotten. We walked on together to the Newtonmore Hostel which is the current preserve of Challenge Control until it moves to the Park Hotel in Montrose in a couple of days time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b> </span>If washed correctly, it smells of something gorgeous, but for the life of you, you can't remember what.</div></div></blockquote><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUYwTDQrRKk/YX13CX1b9OI/AAAAAAABSbQ/JgznPNq7nqABOHVQBxZH2yTNF-wr7QYrgCPcBGAsYHg/s3265/IMG_20210623_114802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2451" data-original-width="3265" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUYwTDQrRKk/YX13CX1b9OI/AAAAAAABSbQ/JgznPNq7nqABOHVQBxZH2yTNF-wr7QYrgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210623_114802.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A HAPPY COINCIDENCE? A BARBER ON THE CORNER OF CURLEYS LANE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Google Maps tells me I spent two hours and ten minutes at Newtonmore Hostel. As an aside, I have to say that on the odd occasion I've found the timeline facility incredibly useful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, back to the subject - it was a lovely couple of hours with Mick & Gayle who were manning the Control phones. They're completely wonderful and plied us with cups of tea and Challenge Gossip. Challenge Gossip can work like this: Challengers bump into each other and chat, snippets of which are passed on to another Challenger a day or so later, who then takes what they remember of a snippet and pass it on themselves when meeting a different Challenger the following day. Eventually a garbled version of a thrice misremembered snippet is passed on to Control, or just occasionally to the Challenger who first spoke the snippet. It's Chinese Whispers on steroids. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As an example, quite a few years ago Phil and I arrived at the Slaters Arms in Cannich a bit fed up and grumpy after a very hot day that seemed to take a lot longer than it should have. I sat down, knackered as Phil went to the bar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Here's your pint, Bastard. </i>(Actually, it wasn't 'Bastard', it was far worse but quite normal between us.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Oh. Ta, Bastard.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then Phil spotted another Challenger he knew from a few years earlier who was on his own and so sat with him as I perused the menu and got another four pints in as the first had evaporated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three days later we were in Aviemore, phoning in to Control.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>What's all this about you and Phil having a major fall out? Are you still walking together? Is everything OK?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">******</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's a pleasant enough stroll along the cycleway to Kingussie, enlivened briefly by a couple of buzzards playing overhead. I am soon in my gorgeous room, showered and in my fluffy dressing gown and slippers, with clothes hanging on the cranked-up heated towel rail. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Facebook Message is on my phone, from Lindsay. A few days ago we had agreed to meet up in Kingussie. She's downstairs and the proprietor won't let her in, as he's knocked on my door and had not got a response and so assumed I was asleep. I must have been in the shower at the time. Lindsay is a Challenge Stalwart, as hard as nails and very, very kind. She had agreed to walk with me for a few days as she had nabbed a lift from another Challenger from the south coast to spend some time up here during the Challenge. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I padded downstairs, in my dressing gown and slippers to rescue the damsel and took her straight up to my room. This could not have looked much worse!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lts0ZyvuzzM/YX13CUuGz6I/AAAAAAABSbQ/l0kIt3qoLps6Q7lxV95CF4ebmFVFCwULACPcBGAsYHg/s3329/IMG_20210623_135358.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3329" data-original-width="2409" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lts0ZyvuzzM/YX13CUuGz6I/AAAAAAABSbQ/l0kIt3qoLps6Q7lxV95CF4ebmFVFCwULACPcBGAsYHg/w464-h640/IMG_20210623_135358.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LINDSAY, LAUGHING AT MY SPINDLY LEGS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I had only just opened a parcel sent from Mad'n'Bad. Inside was a Nalgene bottle full of his very own Damson Gin, which I have to say is extraordinarily good. I tried plying the girl with said liqueur but she would only have a splash in her coffee, recalling a previous episode with Andy's Sloe Gin at Northwater Bridge campsite that hadn't ended well. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You should never let a fine liqueur sit unattended, as it's a dreadful fire risk, so in order to save the other hotel guests I took one for the team and polished it off. There's lovely. The world was now an infinitely better place. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIyhX0w2zC0/YX13CfN9jlI/AAAAAAABSbQ/mpL8hwtmVTcygOLrryUlKlHah0zzlUj1QCPcBGAsYHg/s2736/IMG_20210623_135408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2514" data-original-width="2736" height="588" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIyhX0w2zC0/YX13CfN9jlI/AAAAAAABSbQ/mpL8hwtmVTcygOLrryUlKlHah0zzlUj1QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h588/IMG_20210623_135408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No sooner had I finished Andy's excellent libation when there was a knock at the door. It was a special delivery! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x06OjfaxvzI/YX13CbEvrGI/AAAAAAABSbQ/LA_t30Js7xk-uasIk6swyYZR4yYThv5EgCPcBGAsYHg/s3570/IMG_20210623_184250.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3570" data-original-width="2489" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x06OjfaxvzI/YX13CbEvrGI/AAAAAAABSbQ/LA_t30Js7xk-uasIk6swyYZR4yYThv5EgCPcBGAsYHg/w446-h640/IMG_20210623_184250.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FROM LORD AND LADY ELPUS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="text-align: justify;">Today was getting better and better.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I found another cup and cracked open the bottle to celebrate reaching the traditional halfway point on the TGO Challenge, the A9 trunk road. We toasted our magnificent donors, Lord and Lady Elpus, along with young Mr Walker, and my Brother Dave and Sister Megan, who by their amazing generosity had made all this possible. I was now feeling bloody good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, Lindsay had to leave to search out her own accommodation leaving me to get ready for dinner. Now I'm rather partial to a good dinner, which is why I enjoy coming back to the Cross at Kingussie whenever I'm in the area. It's very important to be well fed on the Challenge, which I've written about in the past: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://alansloman.blogspot.com/2012/05/tgo-challenge-wasting-away.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">TGO Challenge: Wasting Away... </span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, with no more ado I dressed in my best (and only) merino wool shirt - the collars and cuffs were still quite damp - my finest walking trousers and camp shoes (as in worn in camp, not 'camp') and headed down to the dining room. I'll let the pictures do the talking, but you cannot begin to imagine how wonderful it is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dM0u-lE_mrg/YX13CYOrD-I/AAAAAAABSbQ/5MbBGXMUP3wC0ONPmRBTj6WMNDKF1H51ACPcBGAsYHg/s3344/IMG_20210623_201228.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2590" data-original-width="3344" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dM0u-lE_mrg/YX13CYOrD-I/AAAAAAABSbQ/5MbBGXMUP3wC0ONPmRBTj6WMNDKF1H51ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h496/IMG_20210623_201228.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ugUXuRrj8E/YX13Cd324YI/AAAAAAABSbQ/V6i5-N5ajMQV1n8JzHzuLjci-ZQJvEwEgCPcBGAsYHg/s3012/IMG_20210623_202114.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2367" data-original-width="3012" height="502" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ugUXuRrj8E/YX13Cd324YI/AAAAAAABSbQ/V6i5-N5ajMQV1n8JzHzuLjci-ZQJvEwEgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h502/IMG_20210623_202114.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A VERY DECENT BOTTLE OF FLEURIE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzQAjgBBABU/YX13CUcE6kI/AAAAAAABSbQ/3wOdIoTnvMErTqDlJueN8EXh6Whzof_EwCPcBGAsYHg/s3376/IMG_20210623_203205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2395" data-original-width="3376" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzQAjgBBABU/YX13CUcE6kI/AAAAAAABSbQ/3wOdIoTnvMErTqDlJueN8EXh6Whzof_EwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h454/IMG_20210623_203205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABW3_r_sXEo/YX13CUBh_FI/AAAAAAABSbQ/_Rs6Badmw4wcx0FA1tfofrRyW9gbUgCkACPcBGAsYHg/s2905/IMG_20210623_204123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="2623" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABW3_r_sXEo/YX13CUBh_FI/AAAAAAABSbQ/_Rs6Badmw4wcx0FA1tfofrRyW9gbUgCkACPcBGAsYHg/w578-h640/IMG_20210623_204123.jpg" width="578" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsGk3nO1P5A/YX13CbrB5XI/AAAAAAABSbQ/ahm1tGjcMBYsp7nsP4Whd5e7M6gdG90_gCPcBGAsYHg/s3025/IMG_20210623_210515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="3025" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsGk3nO1P5A/YX13CbrB5XI/AAAAAAABSbQ/ahm1tGjcMBYsp7nsP4Whd5e7M6gdG90_gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h494/IMG_20210623_210515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During dinner a couple of Challenge friends turned up and spent a while with me to make sure I wasn't lonely. Cheers Paul! (Southend-on-Sea Paul, who does monster days to attend Cheese & Wine parties.)</div><p style="text-align: justify;">I had the cheese but somehow missed taking a snap. Was it the last glass of port? I don't recall climbing the stairs back to my room but I was a very happy bunny indeed. I woke up next morning still dressed, but amazingly without a hangover. There really is a God.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="403" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DkpaKx1UUUw" width="521" youtube-src-id="DkpaKx1UUUw"></iframe></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-91005101061943069332021-10-29T00:07:00.003+01:002021-10-29T10:39:57.623+01:00TGO Challenge 2021: Day 5: To Glen Banchor<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I can't recall what I had for dinner last night, but it did involve using the stove. It will have been a dehydrated meal and possibly a pudding to boot. I do remember my breakfast though - Belvita Breakfast Soft Bakes, either red fruits or choc chips. I didn't tire of these the whole crossing. Oh, and a couple of apple turnovers from Fort Augustus. And two cups of coffee. And a hot fizzy orange. It's funny how you remember all the good bits and the mundane stuff gets jettisoned. And then lying on top of my sleeping bag in the tent with both doors open (one either side) in the warmth of the morning sunshine, slipping in and out of snoozing with a soft breeze just strong enough to keep the midges at bay.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bliss.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, time is pressing. Well, actually it isn't, but too much of a good thing must surely be sinful.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31vIQFmxR0Q/YXnDE5buCpI/AAAAAAABSTw/8repRWNcHyIaCfPkkEXL-Jw7SgoIVVI2ACPcBGAsYHg/s2557/Screenshot%2B%252827%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="2557" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31vIQFmxR0Q/YXnDE5buCpI/AAAAAAABSTw/8repRWNcHyIaCfPkkEXL-Jw7SgoIVVI2ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h322/Screenshot%2B%252827%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RIVER SPEY TO GLEN BANCHOR - CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div>Distance: 27 km</div><div>Ascent: 400 m</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I did leave, eventually and strolled down the metaled road to Garva Bridge. If anyone had camped there, they had long gone. By now the sun had a bit of strength to it. There was hardly a cloud in the sky. I stopped for a boot break and second breakfast 5km from my camp spot, realising that it was likely to be the last bit of shade for a while. I took on water, leaving just over a litre to get me to the Coffee Bothy at Laggan, some 11km further on.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The next break was the little hill immediately before Sherrabeg, that has Scots Pine for shelter at the top. This might be described as elevenses, or early lunch. It did involve a snooze under a pine tree. By now it was officially very warm indeed. There was now just 6km to go to a table, a proper chair and cold drinks at the Coffee Bothy, which was now building in my imagination to this scene:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="355" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gsqZDl99PNk" width="487" youtube-src-id="gsqZDl99PNk"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Out of interest, look at the (very badly poured) heads on the other beers on the table as he drinks his lager, and then as he slams his empty glass back on the table. Whoops. Apparently this scene was shot half a dozen times just after breakfast one morning. Some people get all the breaks. But I digress.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">My water ran out at my last rest stop just a couple of miles further on. There was nothing for it but to be a brave soldier and carry on through the Saharan Wastes to <strike>Alexandria</strike> Laggan. There was no quicksand to contend with but there was an awful lot of cow-shit to avoid on the road. And around the corner I came upon the culprits. They had broken out of their field and were mooching about the place. I could see the forced wire fence but try as I might I could not get them to hop back into the field. So I resorted to a cattle drive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="383" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ic4anPvrcI" width="480" youtube-src-id="0ic4anPvrcI"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">My charges were finally rounded up by the farmer at Blargie leaving me to stroll on like a mad dog out in the midday sun.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79LxATqypYk/YXsQyN7GNPI/AAAAAAABSXU/lQSf6GrhCHEDDv8tIdDz4S0UQiBv3M5tQCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_133717.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79LxATqypYk/YXsQyN7GNPI/AAAAAAABSXU/lQSf6GrhCHEDDv8tIdDz4S0UQiBv3M5tQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210622_133717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FORGET THE DO-UP OPPORTUNITY, JUST LOOK AT THAT SKY!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDOhTRFpo_E/YXsQyKzEmuI/AAAAAAABSXU/R4bvJCbvFhkpSmCLeKrJ3x1EwOwo871KQCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_134815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDOhTRFpo_E/YXsQyKzEmuI/AAAAAAABSXU/R4bvJCbvFhkpSmCLeKrJ3x1EwOwo871KQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210622_134815.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'M ACTUALLY TIRED OF THESE SIGNS THESE DAYS - THEY'VE BEEN DONE TO DEATH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">I fell into the Coffee Bothy and sank into a chair.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Would you like a seat outside?</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Thank you but no. I've had enough of outside. </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I worked my way through three bottle of Fentimans Ginger Beer, a couple of large flat white coffees and two enormous pieces of home-made cake. I was determined I would spend the rest of my Challenge sat right here. This was wonderful. It was cool. There were lovely pictures on the wall. There were people, bikers, and families on holiday dressed in smart clothes, who smelled clean and perfumed. There was the wonderful porcelain with hand basins and scented soaps. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Outside was hell.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Two wonderful hours later I strolled away from a little piece of paradise to continue my walk. I had arrived a bit shattered and dehydrated. I left with a spring in my step and looking forward to The Remains of the Day. Earlier, I had planned to camp at Dalnashallag, which was only five miles or so from Laggan as it gave me a shortish day to my planned hotel in Kingussie, for the reasons explained before in this blog. But now I was feeling bloody wonderful. Once off the main road (it hardly warrants that description as there's precious little traffic) the walking becomes glorious.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You climb gently, leaving the environs of Cluny Castle in opening woodland with good earth beneath your boots and birdsong. The air is clean, with a light breeze and the sunshine now has less sting to it. This is pure joy. Then open country beckons.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8JTxe7HE80/YXsSIT2asFI/AAAAAAABSXg/Y4dw6LvpuSQ1VcgKzDUHnZqDTc4i2Yv0wCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_160906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8JTxe7HE80/YXsSIT2asFI/AAAAAAABSXg/Y4dw6LvpuSQ1VcgKzDUHnZqDTc4i2Yv0wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210622_160906.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE ROUTE AHEAD</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As you continue a very gentle climb the views behind are tantalising. A heat haze increases the distance and I try to recall which hills are which. It's so much easier at home looking at the pictures alongside the mapping, but still a great game played with just your memory of great days on past Challenges.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P72dq7mgxPA/YXsSIWF-TPI/AAAAAAABSXg/sTdr8JbaZ683ktU4nFcO2uTrOpcfxc3NACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_161205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="3648" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P72dq7mgxPA/YXsSIWF-TPI/AAAAAAABSXg/sTdr8JbaZ683ktU4nFcO2uTrOpcfxc3NACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h354/IMG_20210622_161205.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING BACK: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Evg4FIVLZ8/YXsSIbhLekI/AAAAAAABSXg/i4FRwYo8spoRHwkRiAl4nokEY3vSpIqIACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_161841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="3648" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Evg4FIVLZ8/YXsSIbhLekI/AAAAAAABSXg/i4FRwYo8spoRHwkRiAl4nokEY3vSpIqIACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h238/IMG_20210622_161841.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CLICK TO ENLARGE:</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FskFrE7JAcc/YXsSIV6Cy8I/AAAAAAABSXg/k-erk91ThXkUj1dVlc0KdziOUXLPfbU7wCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_163024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FskFrE7JAcc/YXsSIV6Cy8I/AAAAAAABSXg/k-erk91ThXkUj1dVlc0KdziOUXLPfbU7wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210622_163024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE TRACK TO GLEN BANCHOR: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEdmd0RZKx4/YXsSIfJjluI/AAAAAAABSXg/in07mI7YRFseQ3vzq3Vp-HEFUfCiHYErACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_165954.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEdmd0RZKx4/YXsSIfJjluI/AAAAAAABSXg/in07mI7YRFseQ3vzq3Vp-HEFUfCiHYErACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210622_165954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DALNASHALLAG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHDk7_YVehY/YXsSIZ7Sw-I/AAAAAAABSXg/yYHinNKneNAE0gglwL-mCr2Rpa4uYiaIwCPcBGAsYHg/s3456/IMG_20210622_170046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2461" data-original-width="3456" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHDk7_YVehY/YXsSIZ7Sw-I/AAAAAAABSXg/yYHinNKneNAE0gglwL-mCr2Rpa4uYiaIwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h456/IMG_20210622_170046.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING EAST DOWN GLEN BANCHOR FROM DALNASHALLAG</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbE94PyJZXc/YXsSIf-3ofI/AAAAAAABSXg/BKTI3Rn2XZgcY0QT2XpKdRy1T5Pf0JaEwCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210622_170303.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbE94PyJZXc/YXsSIf-3ofI/AAAAAAABSXg/BKTI3Rn2XZgcY0QT2XpKdRy1T5Pf0JaEwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210622_170303.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">INTERIOR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEtYt0BMO-g/YXsSIVg8tpI/AAAAAAABSXg/k3YLfESUjCsqhTeehEo3oS9eMEnRWuD1gCPcBGAsYHg/s3356/IMG_20210622_170331.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3356" data-original-width="2517" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEtYt0BMO-g/YXsSIVg8tpI/AAAAAAABSXg/k3YLfESUjCsqhTeehEo3oS9eMEnRWuD1gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210622_170331.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">INTERIOR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After a brief rest at Dalnashallag I decide it's too early to stop; it's only five and the weather is perfect and I'm feeling great. I pick my way across the Calder and stroll along the bank for a couple of miles until I find a nice spot on a slight bluff above the river. Hopefully it'll catch any breeze to keep the bastard midges at bay.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8oHeUeQkHvI/YXsSIZVZ7yI/AAAAAAABSXg/E4Xiqi9CBoAT_Cm8bLk7v9SZppqrO2uWACPcBGAsYHg/s3568/IMG_20210622_183046%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3568" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8oHeUeQkHvI/YXsSIZVZ7yI/AAAAAAABSXg/E4Xiqi9CBoAT_Cm8bLk7v9SZppqrO2uWACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h374/IMG_20210622_183046%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CAMP, AROUND 6:00PM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I needn't have worried too much about them, as during the night the wind rose to a rattling good rate, but this little shelter of mine shrugged the gusts away with aplomb. I'm beginning to like the girl.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_HSwj0722o/YXsjTtFyofI/AAAAAAABSX4/BY-z8kZ5GpUZFQ8xoTyNM61I68iroGCygCPcBGAsYHg/s2148/Screenshot_20210622_183715_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2148" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_HSwj0722o/YXsjTtFyofI/AAAAAAABSX4/BY-z8kZ5GpUZFQ8xoTyNM61I68iroGCygCPcBGAsYHg/w322-h640/Screenshot_20210622_183715_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="355" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6aRdNOIOhLA" width="502" youtube-src-id="6aRdNOIOhLA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-89020690320137027262021-10-27T17:47:00.001+01:002021-10-27T17:56:18.396+01:00TGO Challenge 2021: Day 4: To the River Spey<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Desmond Tutu is supposed to have once said <i>"There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time." </i>Strictly speaking, he wasn't necessarily thinking about my current predicament, but I'm pretty sure that if was sat by my side right now, that is the advice he would volunteer. You see, my previous two days had been a struggle and the second of the two really shouldn't have been. The first - the walk from Glen Affric over to Glen Moriston - had knocked me for six, and so I had struggled badly the next day.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Whilst working my way through my monster haddock last night I decided to follow my Foul Weather Alternative route today instead of scaling the ridge of the Monadh Liath and camping high. The high route had about a hundred extra metres of ascent and was two miles shorter than my FWA. However it committed me to a high route the following day, and if I wasn't going to feel too clever at the end of today's walk, I could see myself really struggling tomorrow.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I opted for the slightly lesser climb but longer day today, knowing that if I did feel rough I had only to walk out on easy terrain to a bit of civilisation the next day. However, the Corrieyairack Pass was still a pretty big undertaking for me as I'm obviously not at my best. To put this into context for readers who are not avid hill-walkers, you will probably have heard of the mountain 'Helvellyn' in the Lake District. You may indeed have scaled the beast in your youth, either with the Scouts or on a Duke of Edinburgh jaunt. It's a very long way up for anyone, being 950m above sea level. Today's climb is also an ascent of 970m, and I'll be carrying a rucksack full to the brim, with the newly added food parcel, and walking fifteen miles to boot. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Clearly, our Desmond's advice was the answer. Take it step by step, one bite at a time. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_JO7_z-UmA/YXh_ivaWmII/AAAAAAABSOw/FZIWWidsF_4Gp_BT7ICAflG9uJHoENghwCPcBGAsYHg/s1610/Screenshot%2B%252825%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1610" height="514" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_JO7_z-UmA/YXh_ivaWmII/AAAAAAABSOw/FZIWWidsF_4Gp_BT7ICAflG9uJHoENghwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h514/Screenshot%2B%252825%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CLICK TO ENLARGE: TODAY'S ROUTE IN GREEN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Distance: 25 km</div><div>Ascent: 970 m<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I left Rose Cottage at a sensible 8:30am and headed into town to buy some food for today - chiefly things that I would look forward to, like cheese and onion pasties and steak pies. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IX6hjaeLS-U/YXhwO4ivDiI/AAAAAAABSOI/us3i1HBw9YwBMPtPd98CQPyiLWsvDBG1wCPcBGAsYHg/s3437/IMG_20210621_092348.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3437" data-original-width="2615" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IX6hjaeLS-U/YXhwO4ivDiI/AAAAAAABSOI/us3i1HBw9YwBMPtPd98CQPyiLWsvDBG1wCPcBGAsYHg/w486-h640/IMG_20210621_092348.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">09:25 - LEAVING THE VILLAGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Take the scenic route to the start of the Corrieyairack Pass, via the graveyard - it's so much calmer than the busy A82 you're leaving, despite watching with glee as motorists hurtling down the hill towards the village are caught in a radar trap.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pootling along a quiet lane takes you gently down hill to this signpost. Take its advice and walk with me over the Corrieyaircak Pass and beyond. You'll see (from the route profile on the above map) that before very long there's a pretty brutal looking climb. Fear not, Dear Heart! It's not a forty five degree climb - even though it may feel like it first thing in the day - as that's simply the distortion of the profile diagram. It is in fact the steepest allowed by General Wade for pulling the army's gun carriages up hills. Look again at the profile and you will see that there are three such gradients, the last being the longest and cruelest of all, to take you over the pass into the Spey River System.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2yJ-R18-_Y/YXhwO1RGbMI/AAAAAAABSOI/xErwG5LP-HUGmOYeQA3Lg18IvkB52YpCACPcBGAsYHg/s3385/IMG_20210621_100655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="3385" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2yJ-R18-_Y/YXhwO1RGbMI/AAAAAAABSOI/xErwG5LP-HUGmOYeQA3Lg18IvkB52YpCACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h392/IMG_20210621_100655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xz1gW5rvNx4/YXhwO8LeeRI/AAAAAAABSOI/rP5wauRjN2sLgTN58znV7AufLL0ZqTdAwCPcBGAsYHg/s3603/IMG_20210621_104726.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2205" data-original-width="3603" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xz1gW5rvNx4/YXhwO8LeeRI/AAAAAAABSOI/rP5wauRjN2sLgTN58znV7AufLL0ZqTdAwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h392/IMG_20210621_104726.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING BACK TO LOCH NESS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's ten miles from my B&B to the top of the pass and it's well worth stopping often, to take in the views that are chiefly behind. In front it's rising ground and the never ending Wade road. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FP0tMGDGKmE/YXhwO3dXX9I/AAAAAAABSOI/xnEQao4vPKILBqUIUpWmU-UT3bf5icYJACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210621_132648.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FP0tMGDGKmE/YXhwO3dXX9I/AAAAAAABSOI/xnEQao4vPKILBqUIUpWmU-UT3bf5icYJACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210621_132648.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AN ORIGINAL WADE BRIDGE, NOW FORTUNATELY BYPASSED BY THE TRACK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm unsure of the original purpose of the concrete hut in the next picture, but it appears to be an old store for explosives. There's a similar hut on the pylon route from Hilton Lodge to Torgyle Bridge. I think the explosives were used when constructing the original pylon line that has now been replaced by the upgraded Beauly-Denny line. It could prove a useful refuge in foul weather, if a tad draughty for Challengers having to get over the pass. If you were staying you'd need a weather-proof bivvy bag.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9MusjAggA8/YXhwOx0Q2pI/AAAAAAABSOI/vzT66FjNxOkrUaPGVkWxBeI0Li6isTn6wCPcBGAsYHg/s3417/IMG_20210621_134102.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="3417" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9MusjAggA8/YXhwOx0Q2pI/AAAAAAABSOI/vzT66FjNxOkrUaPGVkWxBeI0Li6isTn6wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h384/IMG_20210621_134102.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CONCRETE HUT ON THE FLANK OF MEALLAN ODHAR</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">From the outset the new The Beauly-Denny 400kV pylon run was controversial. It replaced a far smaller pylon run because the SNP led Scottish Government was hell-bent on increasing wind energy from the Highlands of Scotland. I'm not going into the rights and wrongs of renewables in this blog post, but the upshot of the decision to build the new pylons was a massive increase in the construction of upland wind farms in the Highlands. To start with these upland power stations picked the low-hanging fruit for their locations - as close to the pylon run as possible to reduce the costs of transmission. They were met with massive local opposition, which was quickly stomped on by the Scottish Government by appointing a planning inspector, who invariably steam-rollered any opposition. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was a massively one-sided fight and the new line was built and new wind farms proliferated all over the Highlands, destroying forever what, to all intents and purposes, had been wild land. The wind farms subsequently spread further north and west. It is an indelible black stain on Scotland's protection of wild land.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here's a very shaky video of the view of wind farms from the climb up the Corrieyairack:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aP7lAujDu-s" width="478" youtube-src-id="aP7lAujDu-s"></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qki74wmSDeI/YXlud_FsF9I/AAAAAAABSS4/XXHZNkhSI2URF4vzaP1Jnu78ZPb3EnsEQCPcBGAsYHg/s3506/IMG_20210621_140017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2382" data-original-width="3506" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qki74wmSDeI/YXlud_FsF9I/AAAAAAABSS4/XXHZNkhSI2URF4vzaP1Jnu78ZPb3EnsEQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h434/IMG_20210621_140017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CLICK TO ENLARGE: WIND TURBINES AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You can find out more about the Beauly-Denny line's planning and construction from the Scottish and Southern's Electricity Networks' site <a href="https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/beauly-denny/" target="_blank">HERE</a> with a few factual videos showing what was involved in its construction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I had been playing tag with another Challenger since I had first spotted him at the burial ground at Fort Augustus and lastly near the Blackburn of Corrieyairack bothy. Latterly, with my snail's pace he had disappeared from view. He must have had a really good break at the top as that's where I came across him again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvQ2bcbZiac/YXhwOzwJMRI/AAAAAAABSOI/FkwsGiZ6x0sh5AU9DpGdLHanAHPf-M24gCPcBGAsYHg/s3553/IMG_20210621_145033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2427" data-original-width="3553" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvQ2bcbZiac/YXhwOzwJMRI/AAAAAAABSOI/FkwsGiZ6x0sh5AU9DpGdLHanAHPf-M24gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h438/IMG_20210621_145033.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A WELCOME SIGHT - THE TOP OF THE CORRIEYAIRACK PASS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally a view of the Spey Valley hove into view. At last I had a landscape I could walk into, and the beauty of whizzing downhill at last. I felt surprisingly good after a long climb, which boosted morale considerably. I made a mental note to eat more whale-sized haddock.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29xG0GNLhls/YXhwO-zzabI/AAAAAAABSOI/ogShspZMZ1sIHOBVky_ZSbBoH9dY7N5NQCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210621_145351.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="3648" height="382" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29xG0GNLhls/YXhwO-zzabI/AAAAAAABSOI/ogShspZMZ1sIHOBVky_ZSbBoH9dY7N5NQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h382/IMG_20210621_145351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AND OVER THE TOP TO SPEYSIDE. CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love this next picture. If you were stood here around 12,000 years ago you would see a massive glacier filling the valley almost to the height of each bluff. Temperatures in the winters then were some 30 degrees Celsius colder than they are at present and in summer some ten degrees colder. It was known locally as the Loch Lomond Stadial and the glaciers were fed by an ice sheet that covered the Western Highland of some 9,000 square kilometres in extent. That last glaciation has left behind some fascinating geomorphological features such as half a dozen or so dircs slashed across the hillsides.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hj1CTEkLpQc/YXhwOy8qFXI/AAAAAAABSOI/qB7s_88dMBIzsbffnFS8BMl9cSQkPoaugCPcBGAsYHg/s3617/IMG_20210621_161450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="3617" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hj1CTEkLpQc/YXhwOy8qFXI/AAAAAAABSOI/qB7s_88dMBIzsbffnFS8BMl9cSQkPoaugCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h312/IMG_20210621_161450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SPEY VALLEY: CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dropping down to Melgarve I had a poke around but the bothy was very firmly locked. I decided to have a bite to eat and a large drink. I was thoroughly pleased with my progress and lack of knackeredness. At this point the other Challenger strolled past on his way down to Garva Bridge to camp. I keep saying 'other Challenger' to my huge embarrassment as we had introduced ourselves and I had and still have completely forgotten his name.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYlBzxy7_a8/YXhwOzsJxaI/AAAAAAABSOI/NCDAwCqkm_kj22RYAVrteowA0T3XEZ3jACPcBGAsYHg/s3483/IMG_20210621_165506.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="3483" height="348" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYlBzxy7_a8/YXhwOzsJxaI/AAAAAAABSOI/NCDAwCqkm_kj22RYAVrteowA0T3XEZ3jACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h348/IMG_20210621_165506.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">VIEW DOWN THE SPEY FROM MELGARVE; CLICK TO ENLARGE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After three quarters of an hour or so I was on my way again to camp at a spot I had noted some years ago that I thought had looked promising. It was more than that. It was a wonderful spot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH7ywYtc2gU/YXhwO_GZ_NI/AAAAAAABSOI/ZCPR9PWSb6MYuv5Ep9I2b3lLSh_Yy2l6ACPcBGAsYHg/s3207/IMG_20210621_181540.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2369" data-original-width="3207" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH7ywYtc2gU/YXhwO_GZ_NI/AAAAAAABSOI/ZCPR9PWSb6MYuv5Ep9I2b3lLSh_Yy2l6ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h472/IMG_20210621_181540.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING UPSTREAM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-GEU2Jv5fU/YXhwO8dGj-I/AAAAAAABSOI/I1quk8OtxdUfSyfIV8rqcKib_Sk3PHWDgCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210621_181651.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2564" data-original-width="3648" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-GEU2Jv5fU/YXhwO8dGj-I/AAAAAAABSOI/I1quk8OtxdUfSyfIV8rqcKib_Sk3PHWDgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h450/IMG_20210621_181651.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DOWNSTREAM</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgohGVIAPDA/YXiE7JfLUZI/AAAAAAABSPE/YlbnwjbL74wLMtWGvG2fJiLcLtL50HqdgCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210621_183939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgohGVIAPDA/YXiE7JfLUZI/AAAAAAABSPE/YlbnwjbL74wLMtWGvG2fJiLcLtL50HqdgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210621_183939.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BEHIND THE NEAR HILL ON THE LEFT IS ANOTHER OF THE SPEY DIRCS - DIRC CREAG CHATHALAIN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ_RbySmn0o/YXhwOxC1tXI/AAAAAAABSOI/DdOlME0ZPJk5mUAq_QIQeEeuFtXSnA7zACPcBGAsYHg/s1872/Screenshot_20210621_183819_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ_RbySmn0o/YXhwOxC1tXI/AAAAAAABSOI/DdOlME0ZPJk5mUAq_QIQeEeuFtXSnA7zACPcBGAsYHg/w370-h640/Screenshot_20210621_183819_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps I've regained a little fitness? Either way, I tucked into my food with relish that evening, having regained my Challenge legs at long last. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I slept early, knowing that tomorrow should hold no terrors and slipped into sleep very happy indeed.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="361" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A-kW5JagCtA" width="585" youtube-src-id="A-kW5JagCtA"></iframe></div></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-61230128052152171862021-10-23T23:28:00.002+01:002021-10-24T22:19:15.281+01:00TGO Challenge 2021: Day 3: To Fort Augustus<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mid-June nights in the Highlands are very different to those of mid May. Last night it didn't get dark. Dusky, perhaps, but not dark. Also the bloody larks never stop singing this time of the year! They were chirping and trilling away at gone eleven at night when I finally fell into the arms of Ms Hepburn and then again at three in the morning.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Don't these little bastards ever sleep? They were determined that I wasn't to either. Finally I snoozed, rather deliciously, in and out of consciousness from three to around five, then decided that I ought to breakfast, reduce the size of the sack of meds I was carrying and sort out today's maps that I hadn't had the inclination to do yesterday evening as I was so zonked.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Packing away was again interrupted by clouds of midges until thankfully a breeze got up and stayed awhile. In my mind I had broken the day down into three stages - the amble to Torgyle Bridge, the walk up to the top of the military road to look out for a lunch spot, and then the easy descent down that leads to Jenkins Park and Fort Augustus. Bite-size chunks are so much easier to deal with than thinking of the whole day in one piece.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So here's today's route. Nothing to frighten the horses, and planned to give me time in my B&B to laze around for a while drinking cups of tea, eat all the biscuits, sort out the food parcel, do the laundry and have a wander around the village and have a bite to eat and drink. It's all go, you know.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFUT5neCfW8/YXHeGuMs1vI/AAAAAAABR4o/ox2isVoKC4cogvd673M_VUuwBK2__zsbQCPcBGAsYHg/s2560/Screenshot%2B%252822%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="2560" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFUT5neCfW8/YXHeGuMs1vI/AAAAAAABR4o/ox2isVoKC4cogvd673M_VUuwBK2__zsbQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h322/Screenshot%2B%252822%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CLICK TO ENLARGE: DAY 3: ALLT A' CHROINN TO FORT AUGUSTUS - THE RED DASHED LINE</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Distance: 21 km<div>Ascent: 420 m<p style="text-align: justify;">The stroll down to the start of public road at Tomcrasky went well, but upon reaching the tarmac and heading east once more I realised that I was absolutely dog-tired. I strolled on for a mile then decided to call a halt, dropped the pack on a grass verge, leaning against a taught wire fence and had a rest. I'd barely done two miles. Cashews, chocolate coated cranberries and flapjack. Water with a fizzy orange tablet. The last of the crushed crusty rolls. And a snooze. About half an hour of a snooze, I think, as I was woken by the post man leaning out of his window inquiring as to my health.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>'Much better now, thank you.'</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Standing up, all by myself, with no help whatsoever from Lord Elpus, I swing my pack onto my shoulders and glanced westwards to notice that the sky was a funny colour. It was blue-grey with a hint of light brown with hanging pale grey wispy trails. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>'Bugger.'</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Fortunately I was heading east. The post van passed me, now heading back from the dead end and tooted in a friendly fashion. His windscreen wipers were on.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was a gentle mist at first but as I walked through the increasingly smart Dalchreichart it turned to a moderate drizzle. Nothing to worry about, but I donned the flashy new lightweight coat, just in case. By Torgyle Bridge it was that thin, soaking stuff the Met Office might describe as 'light rain.' By the time I was climbing southwest on a forest track up the old Military Road it would be described as 'moderate rain.' I was now decked out in my over trousers and gloves, playing the <b><i>drippy-hat game*</i></b> - first devised by a young pre-Professor White in the depths of the Ballochbuie Forest twenty three years ago in torrential rain.</p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>* </b>The drippy-hat game had very simple rules. Each drip collected on the bent-into-a-V wired peak of your Lowe Alpine mountain cap had to land on alternate toes of your walking boots. The first drip on your left toe. The second on your right. There; them's the rules. The winner is the chap (or chapess in these modern times of ours) who can continue for the longest without missing a toe. I'm pretty sure Richard made it into the high twenties after some ten miles of walking in the pissing rain.</p></div></blockquote><div><p style="text-align: justify;">Now heading up the hill in a generally south easterly direction, the path was a muddy trod in a grassy break in the forestry, badly scored by mountain bikes and trials bikes, with trees occasionally trying to reclaim the break, their branches sweeping my body wetly as I passed. There are a few small streams to cross to make the walk more interesting. It's a continuous gentle gradient, designed so a team of horse could pull a gun carriage with which they hoped to blow any mutinous Scot to Kingdom Come.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I enjoyed this section - not because the Scots were to be blown to Kingdom Come, I might add, though I could think of a few where it might be a good idea - but because the wind was from behind, the earth soft under my boots and that I was managing the climb reasonably well, without any of the expected huffing and puffing and the miles were being eaten into. Just before joining the new Beauly-Denny Pylon road (it could not possibly be classed as a track) there's a really lovely dingly-dell section with a stream crossing (the Allt Phochaicain) with lots of grass, and mused that it would make not too bad a camping spot (*Lodged for further reference for years to come)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Pylon Road in all honesty is ghastly. It's grey/black, stony, <b><i>very</i></b> wide and smashes its way through the landscape like a motorway. By now, thankfully, the moderately heavy rain had eased back to light thin stuff, and then again to wind-blown drizzle as I reached the top of today's climb in the Inchnacardoch Forest - great swathes of which had been cut down, leaving a mess of brash and churned up mud, to make way for the new giant pylons.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtL3drZ7feQ/YXM2SmG2d7I/AAAAAAABR-o/zhRbliiGiSkbNm6iScz5F_Z7n2lqgzEdwCPcBGAsYHg/s2147/Screenshot_20210620_125815_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2147" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtL3drZ7feQ/YXM2SmG2d7I/AAAAAAABR-o/zhRbliiGiSkbNm6iScz5F_Z7n2lqgzEdwCPcBGAsYHg/w322-h640/Screenshot_20210620_125815_com.memorymap.mm2.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TOP OF THE CLIMB</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96N8kzosu2k/YXRKW2zlbNI/AAAAAAABSDU/SfQku1upD1kQY3Azmd6f-DyfNEdiZPC5ACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210620_130927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96N8kzosu2k/YXRKW2zlbNI/AAAAAAABSDU/SfQku1upD1kQY3Azmd6f-DyfNEdiZPC5ACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210620_130927.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE BEAULY-DENNY PYLON LINE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lunch was a surprisingly chilly affair just after the Beauly-Denny pylons, with black flies with dangley legs. Swarms of the blighters. So, I've had swarms of midges and now these devils. They didn't bite, but they were all over me. Googling them, I think they might be <a href="https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2019/05/flyday-saturday/" target="_blank">Hawthorn Flies</a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uF8Iw9PLTA/YXRKyy8u2iI/AAAAAAABSDc/e4FW-fv-rBI6-dt7nvf3jU4IqkhULeSJwCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210620_134348.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uF8Iw9PLTA/YXRKyy8u2iI/AAAAAAABSDc/e4FW-fv-rBI6-dt7nvf3jU4IqkhULeSJwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210620_134348.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOOKING INTO THE GREAT GLEN</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44_1PBXMkpE/YXRLAyF8fgI/AAAAAAABSDg/mQ-wJ1j32Gkk2Vna5Dgb6YP1pULHw3saACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/IMG_20210620_135452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3648" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44_1PBXMkpE/YXRLAyF8fgI/AAAAAAABSDg/mQ-wJ1j32Gkk2Vna5Dgb6YP1pULHw3saACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h346/IMG_20210620_135452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The military road heads downhill in a leisurely fashion until you get to the zig-zags - a well constructed track through head high soaking wet bracken to drop you very quickly down a great height to the track that leads into Fort Augustus. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nrFxCUUooc/YXRLKldjWbI/AAAAAAABSDo/RdRvR1YUnYUVwy_SIP9ccZJWE1swk0yqACPcBGAsYHg/s3122/IMG_20210620_141656.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1825" data-original-width="3122" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nrFxCUUooc/YXRLKldjWbI/AAAAAAABSDo/RdRvR1YUnYUVwy_SIP9ccZJWE1swk0yqACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h374/IMG_20210620_141656.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FORT AUGUSTUS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54u6avRBzHg/YXRLfmnt42I/AAAAAAABSDw/wDLQ8p42hx0CcooP0EIcuQrJa19uNJIQgCPcBGAsYHg/s3558/IMG_20210620_143615.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2694" data-original-width="3558" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54u6avRBzHg/YXRLfmnt42I/AAAAAAABSDw/wDLQ8p42hx0CcooP0EIcuQrJa19uNJIQgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h484/IMG_20210620_143615.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">INFORMATION BOARD AT THE FOOT OF THE ZIG-ZAGS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As I walked along the track and then minor road into Fort Augustus a wave of exhaustion hit me like a truck. There was a children's play park off to the right with a bench. My legs and feet ached like hell and I slumped onto the bench for a good half hour. I was not a hundred yards from my B&B - Rose Cottage, highly recommended - but it seemed like miles away. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I dropped into my usual routine of lots to drink and plenty of instant calories and then pushed myself up the steep drive to my B&B. I was there by early afternoon. My hosts had the Covid precautions uppermost in their planning for guests and it was all incredibly well organised. They also advised me to book my supper in the village straight away as they knew it would be busy tonight - excellent advice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There followed a good hour or so of doing bugger all apart from drinking tea and scoffing biscuits. My legs and feet were grateful and gradually stopped shouting at me.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6095IOmjm2Y/YXReVelSNDI/AAAAAAABSEI/vt3IBhXF3dMEDhOp4tiBsYsy2DawnAYfACPcBGAsYHg/s3520/IMG_20210620_162225%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2467" data-original-width="3520" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6095IOmjm2Y/YXReVelSNDI/AAAAAAABSEI/vt3IBhXF3dMEDhOp4tiBsYsy2DawnAYfACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h448/IMG_20210620_162225%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><u>Backpackers' Washing Instructions:</u></div><div><u><br /></u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFgMLPi2DnM/YXReVXFWVYI/AAAAAAABSEI/ZIZZc9zez9k_D-xyCpDJL212WlIv52ucQCPcBGAsYHg/s3508/IMG_20210620_173559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="2710" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFgMLPi2DnM/YXReVXFWVYI/AAAAAAABSEI/ZIZZc9zez9k_D-xyCpDJL212WlIv52ucQCPcBGAsYHg/w494-h640/IMG_20210620_173559.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>1: Wash clothes in basin, squeeze dry and lay them on a bath towel.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-3hCktEz0I/YXReVT2OnKI/AAAAAAABSEI/xnnForPKKswiy7xHF_gfTTg0hmwvIwXZgCPcBGAsYHg/s3562/IMG_20210620_173734%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="3562" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-3hCktEz0I/YXReVT2OnKI/AAAAAAABSEI/xnnForPKKswiy7xHF_gfTTg0hmwvIwXZgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h246/IMG_20210620_173734%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2: Roll up the towel. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">3: Tread the towel for a minute or two to expel the water from your hydrophobic clothes into the welcoming towel. I wouldn't advice twisting the towel as this could damage your expensive Merino wool base layer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4: Drape your almost dry clothes on radiators turned to Max and open windows slightly to reduce the resulting sauna to acceptable levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5: Hang the sopping bath towel from the wardrobe doors and hope it will dry to reasonable respectability by morning as all the radiators are taken.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jlyywtT1u0/YXReVWdGmkI/AAAAAAABSEI/INy-qk6WEQ8LQ6Jj62DMhN7GjDACInr8ACPcBGAsYHg/s3648/original_a011ac55-5146-4bc2-843b-7983e03c50cf_IMG_20210620_194240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2533" data-original-width="3648" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jlyywtT1u0/YXReVWdGmkI/AAAAAAABSEI/INy-qk6WEQ8LQ6Jj62DMhN7GjDACInr8ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h444/original_a011ac55-5146-4bc2-843b-7983e03c50cf_IMG_20210620_194240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">6: Head off to the Lock Inn for a few decent pints of cider and a haddock the size of a baby whale.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0wvYS1Mdfw/YXReVQMA0KI/AAAAAAABSEI/6yFVDDfp-JgPwDr8DicICDltoiYRhBGSgCPcBGAsYHg/s3518/original_f096f83b-a553-4119-89bc-c37302b4c716_IMG_20210620_203119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="3518" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0wvYS1Mdfw/YXReVQMA0KI/AAAAAAABSEI/6yFVDDfp-JgPwDr8DicICDltoiYRhBGSgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h370/original_f096f83b-a553-4119-89bc-c37302b4c716_IMG_20210620_203119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Mv2Uo02sIk/YXReVTmjoBI/AAAAAAABSEI/apzwrJwj55sBOBJRE3K9VgvngJ34n6rqACPcBGAsYHg/s3332/original_b28c828f-0aea-436e-a1e0-502450918fe4_IMG_20210620_203151.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3332" data-original-width="1991" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Mv2Uo02sIk/YXReVTmjoBI/AAAAAAABSEI/apzwrJwj55sBOBJRE3K9VgvngJ34n6rqACPcBGAsYHg/w382-h640/original_b28c828f-0aea-436e-a1e0-502450918fe4_IMG_20210620_203151.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">LOCK GATE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYBlj8crWJY/YXReVerHjrI/AAAAAAABSEI/Uy6uQt0qrgAsjd5585K_ia3pFa7q00DCgCPcBGAsYHg/s3589/original_fd06549f-f7d7-4a99-b27f-1b401d296ddf_IMG_20210620_203222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="2680" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYBlj8crWJY/YXReVerHjrI/AAAAAAABSEI/Uy6uQt0qrgAsjd5585K_ia3pFa7q00DCgCPcBGAsYHg/w478-h640/original_fd06549f-f7d7-4a99-b27f-1b401d296ddf_IMG_20210620_203222.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CALEDONIAN CANAL</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68rLoIGByoU/YXReVfsOzNI/AAAAAAABSEI/y11iXmfi5GozmHWSWVEsGoqbVt-2Yu9dQCPcBGAsYHg/s3343/original_250b497c-70b2-4d3c-b38d-2fab4f68ba62_IMG_20210620_203436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3343" data-original-width="2487" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68rLoIGByoU/YXReVfsOzNI/AAAAAAABSEI/y11iXmfi5GozmHWSWVEsGoqbVt-2Yu9dQCPcBGAsYHg/w476-h640/original_250b497c-70b2-4d3c-b38d-2fab4f68ba62_IMG_20210620_203436.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RIVER OICH, FORT AUGUSTUS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">That, was a very surprising finish to today's walk. It was definitely not a big day but by the end I had really, really struggled. I spent the evening thinking about tomorrow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="336" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-Nv7fHOoJ8" width="555" youtube-src-id="r-Nv7fHOoJ8"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Alan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.com7