A weekend trip to Grantown-On-Spey, courtesy of my sister, started with a great walk from Glenmore Lodge visitor centre past the Ryvoan Bothy, up Meall a Bhuachalle and then on to Creagan Gorm before heading back down via a track to the start point - 10 miles/990m/5hrs.The weather was sunny, reasonably warm for a March day but very windy up top. It was so windy that my face was numb and it felt like I had gone ten rounds with a dentist's anaesthetic needle! Poor Blair managed to struggle on without a hat (which I had forgotten to pack when I was preparing the bags the night before!).
We stopped for lunch at the Badaguish Outdoor centre and sat on a bench eating our cheese and pickle sandwiches next to two squabbling ducks. The poor male duck hardly got a look in with the odd bit of bread - that female was so darn quick!We had arranged to meet one of Blair's webby pals and his wife at their house but we couldn't find the place and had no 3G connection. Giving up on that we headed for the Grantown Arms and booked in. A box of chocs and a shower later we headed to the reception sofas with the wine (also courtesy of my thoughtful sister) and the books with the intention of reading until dinner. I was so knackered I couldn't concentrate on the book and gave up after a chapter.
Dinner was good but I ate too much. A hot bath later I went to bed and according to Blair was asleep in 1 minute.
A great day, lots of exercise and utter exhaustion.
