Delayed Scottish Holiday Travelogue....
Grovelling apologies, noble readers, for this delay but here we go!
Sunday 11th November
There's something not the same at the site this year and I'm not quite sure what it is. Perhaps it will all become clearer as the week goes on. Mistakes over the booking, no access to essential grocery supplies (apparently the shop in the village had stopped supplying the site) and other minor niggles meant that it wasn't exactly a cheery arrival.
So this morning we ambled into the village - Carr-bridge - for breakfast at "The Old Bakery" (and damn good it was too), we stopped by the shop to get those essentials we needed. When asked about the lapsing of the shop's arrangement with the site, we got told a different story, which said it had been the site that had stopped the deliveries.
It makes you wonder.
Monday 12th
A very late morning (ahem) led to a late trip to Aviemore for the extras the village shop couldn't provide. Spent a valuable 15 minutes in the excellent Tourist Information in the town, planning my days walking with the knowledgeable staff. Afterwards we had a brief reconnaissance of the other holiday site in the town, run by the company, at Dalfaber, which is where Alicia will spend her day while I go walking. Tomorrow? A trip over the top, to Inverness. I like the journey along the A9, looking down on the Moray and Inverness. Such a lovely sight.
Tuesday 13th
What a smashing day!! After a pleasant walk along the River Ness, we popped into the Floral Hall and gardens, to have a look-see. It has a surprisingly good tropical house and adjoining it, a drier cactus house, which, although not large is really worth the time investigating.The trip back to Carr-Bridge was quite interesting in that it doubled up as the school run from the local high school, Milburn Academy, taking in the little villages off the A9. Its fascinating to see a little snapshot into the everyday life of people, instead of being just a tourist. What was refreshing to see was the way in which the school children behaved, so much better than many city school buses! We couldn't believe it. Perhaps it's because being asked to leave the bus is not an option that is willingly faced out there. Nice to see though.
Wednesday 14th
Had a quiet day catching up with some gentle walking around the woods close by the village. A couple of hours worth, so that's about 4-5 miles at my pace. It sets up the feet nicely for the longer one tomorrow, which I estimate at about 9 - 10 miles, which will be a challenge, although the going should be ok.
This picture is of the River Dulnain, which ultimately feeds into the Spey at Dulnain Bridge. I took a similar picture facing the other way and the water didn't look blue! Isn't it strange how some pictures just come out perfectly, purely by luck? Bit like this one really!
Thursday 15th
Umm. I'd forgotten what 10 miles felt like. Now I remember. Just like I'll remember this scene, the Spey with the Cairngorms behind. Ouch, I ached in place I had not heard from in at least a year, having got out of practise cos my former walking partner found another interest to occupy her time! After a long hot bath, and a short nap, I was back to normal, well almost. Alicia had made the most of her day's pampering at the other site, at Dalfaber. Well its alright for some...!
I was walking back from Aviemore to Carr-Bridge via Boat o'Garten, along the Cycle route 7 and just before I got to Boat, I met a woman who was going the opposite way, to Aviemore, in street boots. As it was part of the National Cycle Route network, it was do-able, certainly, but not what I would have recommended! Strange.
Friday 16th - final day
A quiet restful day as we made a short visit to the Speyside Heather Centre, just for a brief loiter. We were greeted by this oldish tomcat - Podge by name we later found out - who immediately decided to attach himself to us. You know how some cats take an instant like to a person - almost saying "ooh I like YOU, you're my friend, rub my tummy" - and so on? That was just like this one, he finally decided to let us move on when he found somewhere else to do. Another reason for visiting this place was the smashing clootie dumplings they make, a perfect finishing dessert to a meal.
Sunday 11th November
There's something not the same at the site this year and I'm not quite sure what it is. Perhaps it will all become clearer as the week goes on. Mistakes over the booking, no access to essential grocery supplies (apparently the shop in the village had stopped supplying the site) and other minor niggles meant that it wasn't exactly a cheery arrival.
So this morning we ambled into the village - Carr-bridge - for breakfast at "The Old Bakery" (and damn good it was too), we stopped by the shop to get those essentials we needed. When asked about the lapsing of the shop's arrangement with the site, we got told a different story, which said it had been the site that had stopped the deliveries.
It makes you wonder.
Monday 12th
A very late morning (ahem) led to a late trip to Aviemore for the extras the village shop couldn't provide. Spent a valuable 15 minutes in the excellent Tourist Information in the town, planning my days walking with the knowledgeable staff. Afterwards we had a brief reconnaissance of the other holiday site in the town, run by the company, at Dalfaber, which is where Alicia will spend her day while I go walking. Tomorrow? A trip over the top, to Inverness. I like the journey along the A9, looking down on the Moray and Inverness. Such a lovely sight.
Tuesday 13th
What a smashing day!! After a pleasant walk along the River Ness, we popped into the Floral Hall and gardens, to have a look-see. It has a surprisingly good tropical house and adjoining it, a drier cactus house, which, although not large is really worth the time investigating.The trip back to Carr-Bridge was quite interesting in that it doubled up as the school run from the local high school, Milburn Academy, taking in the little villages off the A9. Its fascinating to see a little snapshot into the everyday life of people, instead of being just a tourist. What was refreshing to see was the way in which the school children behaved, so much better than many city school buses! We couldn't believe it. Perhaps it's because being asked to leave the bus is not an option that is willingly faced out there. Nice to see though.
Wednesday 14th
Had a quiet day catching up with some gentle walking around the woods close by the village. A couple of hours worth, so that's about 4-5 miles at my pace. It sets up the feet nicely for the longer one tomorrow, which I estimate at about 9 - 10 miles, which will be a challenge, although the going should be ok.
This picture is of the River Dulnain, which ultimately feeds into the Spey at Dulnain Bridge. I took a similar picture facing the other way and the water didn't look blue! Isn't it strange how some pictures just come out perfectly, purely by luck? Bit like this one really!
Thursday 15th
Umm. I'd forgotten what 10 miles felt like. Now I remember. Just like I'll remember this scene, the Spey with the Cairngorms behind. Ouch, I ached in place I had not heard from in at least a year, having got out of practise cos my former walking partner found another interest to occupy her time! After a long hot bath, and a short nap, I was back to normal, well almost. Alicia had made the most of her day's pampering at the other site, at Dalfaber. Well its alright for some...!
I was walking back from Aviemore to Carr-Bridge via Boat o'Garten, along the Cycle route 7 and just before I got to Boat, I met a woman who was going the opposite way, to Aviemore, in street boots. As it was part of the National Cycle Route network, it was do-able, certainly, but not what I would have recommended! Strange.
Friday 16th - final day
A quiet restful day as we made a short visit to the Speyside Heather Centre, just for a brief loiter. We were greeted by this oldish tomcat - Podge by name we later found out - who immediately decided to attach himself to us. You know how some cats take an instant like to a person - almost saying "ooh I like YOU, you're my friend, rub my tummy" - and so on? That was just like this one, he finally decided to let us move on when he found somewhere else to do. Another reason for visiting this place was the smashing clootie dumplings they make, a perfect finishing dessert to a meal.
posted by Rob at 9:31 pm
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