Friday 17 May (0730-1645)
Distance: 17 miles
Weather: overcast start breaking up to give wall-to-wall sunshine by mid-afternoon
It was a day of playing leapfrog. One tent had gone by the time we emerged, but by the time we walked out of camp everyone else looked to be within either moments or minutes of following. Thus every time we paused for a faff or a break at least one person would pass, only for us to pass them again in turn (conclusion: we walk faster than most but faff and stop more).
Lunch was had in the company of Mark and Phil at Linn of Dee car park (why are there no benches there?!) then another 2 miles took us to Mar Lodge where we picked up our resupply parcel and sat drinking tea for over an hour and a half.
It was tempting to me to stay at the bunkhouse at Mar Lodge (last time we did so we had it to ourselves). Mick was favouring continuing to Braemar and staying at the campsite. We compromised by walking half way to Braemar and pitching by the pond in the forest:
Distance: 17 miles
Weather: overcast start breaking up to give wall-to-wall sunshine by mid-afternoon
It was a day of playing leapfrog. One tent had gone by the time we emerged, but by the time we walked out of camp everyone else looked to be within either moments or minutes of following. Thus every time we paused for a faff or a break at least one person would pass, only for us to pass them again in turn (conclusion: we walk faster than most but faff and stop more).
Lunch was had in the company of Mark and Phil at Linn of Dee car park (why are there no benches there?!) then another 2 miles took us to Mar Lodge where we picked up our resupply parcel and sat drinking tea for over an hour and a half.
It was tempting to me to stay at the bunkhouse at Mar Lodge (last time we did so we had it to ourselves). Mick was favouring continuing to Braemar and staying at the campsite. We compromised by walking half way to Braemar and pitching by the pond in the forest:
There's even a makeshift bench just behind us.
There was no real benefit in reaching Braemar today, as the weather forecast means that we will not walk beyond tomorrow's nominated end-point (Lochallater Lodge), so it will be a short day anyway. We're looking forward to frittering away a few hours over plates of greasy food on our way.
You seem to be walking faster than the schedule - have you made up a whole day yet?
ReplyDeleteWe spent most of the crossing half a day ahead of schedule, but reset ourselves to the intended timings at Drumnadrochit (waiting for the ferry) and at Newtonmore (early finish for a booking at the hostel). It was only yesterday, at Tarfside, that we got a full day ahead. We're now within 10 miles of the coast so will finish in the morning.
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