On paper an easy and fast day — only 21km, but as I did this before, with a very steep incline up from Glen Doll to Loch Brandy (what a fantastic name) that looks a little like a volcano … and maybe it is … need to check!
But the good part this morning was my stay at the Clova Hotel … ate well in the evening … did some of my laundry … and was offered a full breakfast in the morning. The actual sleep was not that good … I guess I am used to my tent now 😎
After reaching the top (870m) it was actually quite difficult to find a path and even more difficult to make it down to the valley.
After reaching the west end of Loch Lee it was just another 8km before reaching St. Drostan and signing in for the day … nice chats in the kitchen with beacon rolls, cake and fruit …
… and I was lucky to get one of the few single rooms with own bathroom and shower … after first settling in for a bunkbed but then luckily changing that with the two canadian sisters who wanted to stay together … sometimes you are at the right place and time 😁
And then the Masonic Lodge started their BBQ and open their bar.
Nice talks and we even found a german subgroup … left around 22:00 after quite some alcohol.
Learnings:
- Water is live and power (yes, also nothing new … but experienced it particularly today … for me the hottest day of the challenge)
- Regular and known places are comforting (in this case Tarfside — third time in three challenges)
- You get happier and more excited getting closer to a final destination and being sure you can make it!
Tomorrow another really tough day with 32 km and one more night in the tent before reaching Stonehaven on Thursday 👋 — oidhche mhath!
My Travel Adventures 