Braeriach, Angels Point, Cairn Toul, Devils Point

With another day of fabulous weather todays plan was for a big Munro day. Started early by bike and cycled to Coylumbridge and then as far towards Lairig Ghru as was pleasant on the bike.

The first climb of the day up to Braeriach was the hardest after which there was a long walk at high level round the massive corrie but not too much steep ascent.

The descent from Devils Point was pretty straightforward but the long walk back up then down the Lairig Ghru was pretty tiring in the heat. 

My sun lotion (and it later transpired my compass and dibber) had gone missing in the early part of the walk so ended up wearing waterproofs part of the time to protect from the sun.

The cycle back was a pleasure and still felt pretty good on the return. Stopped for a quick pint at the Old Bridge Inn.

 

Cycle to Nethy Bridge

An easy paced exploration of the paths and trails in the local area. Initial focussed on the various paths off the Route 7 path between Aviemore and Boat of Garten. Some lovely trails - some of which led to the landfill site and sewage works. Other paths led to surprising stone circle with a pine tree in the centre.

Lunch at the hotel in Boat of Garten where I bumped into Cherry who was doing a similar sort of trip on her bike today.

After lunch visited Milto Loch then cycled onwards to Nethy Bridge for afternoon tea and cake before taking the quickest route back home.

Mullach Clach a Bhlair & Sgor Gaoith

Another munro day for Colin. Starting out at Achlean in Glen Feshie and taking these two fairly quickly but not at running pace. The journey to the first peak was pretty nice. An easy footpath to the high ground initially through forest and then a fairly nice high level walk too Sgor Gaoith. The trek to the second summit was a lot rougher with no clear path to follow. It felt like quite a long trek there and back. Feeling a bit fatigued by the time of the descent.

Newtonmore Highland Games

Colin and Cherry headed off in the morning to the Highland Games at Newtonmore. Spent a few hours which were moderately interesting but not a great spectator sport. Fun for the participants.

Max and Kasha climbed Bynack More.

In the evening we all had a nice dinner at the Old Bridge Inn.

On Sunday Colin and Cherry headed back to Edinburgh for a couple of days to help out with Les and work on the essential garden tasks. We returned to Aviemore on Monday afternoon.

Ben Macdui

Colin took the car to the Cairngorm Mountain car park and walked up Ben Macdui. The weather was a lot worse than the good forecast. Escaped any rain on the walk but the clouds came down to obscure any view on the summit and it felt pretty cold at times. The walk took around 3 hr 45 mins to complete.

Kasha arrived fairly late in the evening from Glasgow.

Speyside Way

We got the bus in the morning to Nethy Bridge and after topping up on coffee and Ecclefechan Cake we started a walk of around 10 miles along the last section of the Speyside Way back to Aviemore.

Some more delightful forest to walk through and a pleasant stop for lunch at Boat of Garten and just arrived in time for tea at the route 7 cafe.

 

Cycle with Max

Headed out with Max for a cycle taking in Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich with a stop at Glenmore for coffee. Max had my MTB and I made do with Cherry's city bike which just about coped with the trails.

Hannah headed back home to Edinburgh where she was planning on entertaining friends.

In the afternoon Colin, Cherry and Max went to Loch Insh for an archery session which was pretty enjoyable. Surprisingly Colin won the competition this time. We wandered around the place trying to recall when we had stayed at one of the chalets.

 

Escape Room and Escape

With the weather not so good today we all went on an escape room adventure. It was pretty good fun and we got out in about 53 minutes.

In the evening we went back to the Scottish Steak house and had a very nice meal. The steak and trimmings was very good.

Lairig Ghru approach & Loch Morlich Beach

Enjoyed a fabulous run in the morning with Max starting in Coylumbridge and heading to just above the tree line. Glorious weather and trails really nice under foot. Max was running well - Colin good until the end when accumulated fatigue was beginning to take its toll.

In the afternoon all 4 of us headed to Loch Morlich for a few hours at the beach lying around, eating ice cream and playing ball games.

3 Lochs Cycle + Euro Finals

Colin went for a MTB ride visiting Lochs an Eilan, Eanaich and Morlich. Very nice route in good weather. The ride out to Eanaich wasn't has hard as feared. Around 3.5 hours ride time for just over 30 miles. Stopped for lunch at Glenmore visitor centre.

Enjoyed watching the Euro's England victory in the evening.

Cycle with Hannah

An easy cycle with Hannah from Aviemore to Boat of Garten via the off-road cycle path and then back via the road to Coylumbridge where we stopped for coffee. Hannah did pretty well especially in the long section of headwinds.

Cherry headed back to Edinburgh for a few days to look after Les on the evening train.

 

Loch Morlich

Colin, Cherry and Hannah visited the beach at Loch Morlich and had a walk around the Loch. Another very nice day.

 In the evening went to Balavoulin for pizza for dinner.

Bynack More

Colin headed off on Thursday morning for a fast paced munro trip. Took the mountain for roughly an hour from our Aviemore house past Glenmore and got just beyond the bridge at Bynack stable where the trail became difficult for biking. From there a fast paced ascent although mainly walking given the gradient. About an hour to the top and then a very enjoyable 40 minute run back down and then an hour bike home. Weather and views excellent and path all the way which made for a very pleasant journey.

Loch Garten RSPB Nature Reserve & Go Karting

Colin & Cherry took a short drive to Loch Garten to visit the RSPB reserve. Saw the two Osprey chicks and their mother in the next and lots of smaller birds at the feeders near the reserve centre. After that went on the two lochs walk and enjoyed the magnificent pine forest.

In the afternoon we were joined by Hannah for a short but expensive 10 minute go kart session. Cherry will never go karting again, I was starting to feel and bit queasy and Hannah enjoyed it.

In the evening we went for dinner at the Scottish Steakhouse, part of the Dalfaber resort. The steaks were OK and the fish pie was pretty poor. 

Highland Wildlife Park

Colin, Cherry and Hannah went for the day at the RZSS Highland Wildlife Park. Very enjoyable. Most of the animals seemed to be out and visible today. Saw the baby polar bear playing in the pond, the baby snow leopards and parents and many others.

Rainy Aviemore

Third day in Aviemore was a bit damp. We headed into town for a wander and coffee at Costa. Collected Cherry at the station in the early evening. Went into town for dinner but everywhere was fully booked so we ended up having fish and chips.

Aviemore

A wee bike around Aviemore with Hannah getting the feel of the place. Run along the River Spey in the evening.

Aviemore

Colin and Hannah drove through to Aviemore after lunch and spent the afternoon settling into the house and doing some shopping. Cherry needs to stay behind and look after Les on Sunday but will join us on Monday. 

Another Van Trip (Oxford)

Colin set off on Monday afternoon with a snuffly nose that turned out to be CoVid. An Extra Large Van from Arnold Clark was a bit of an ugly monster of a truck without any AirCon.

Stopped overnight at Norton Cane days in for a very hot and sticky evening at the Days Inn.

Finished the drive on Tuesday morning and met up with Hannah around mid-day for several hours of removals from top from flat to van. Hot work.

Colin slept overnight at the Cotswold Lodge. No luck with the room this time which was up in the rafters and exceptionally hot.

On Wednesday Colin did a long Zoom meeting at Hannah's flat and then we finished the packing in time for a professional cleaner to give the flat a good doing over. We spent the afternoon in the Up in Arms and headed off in the van around 6 pm in the evening with an overnight journey stop at Norton Canes.

We got home on Thursday around 2 pm - unpacked - and returned the van to Arnold Clark the next morning.

Cycle with Ian

Final day of Ian's short visit and we lent him a bike and we went for an easy paced cycle loop along Water of Leith and Union Canal with a stop for a very nice second breakfast at the Rose Garden Cafe.

The Bridges

Took the train with Ian to North Queensferry for a look at the Bridges from both sides and a walk across the old road bridge.

Light lunch at Oroco Pier and a pint at Hawes Inn. 

In the evening Cherry joined us for dinner at Los Argentinos where the steaks were pretty good.

Ian (and Frank) in Edinburgh

Ian arrived in Edinburgh a bit late off the Easyjet flight from Stansted. We headed out to Dunbar for a nice walk on a windy afternoon around John Muir Country Park.

In the evening we met up with Frank for a few drinks at the Pear Tree and then a good curry at Solti on Drummond Street. Nice to see Frank again after a very long gap.