Left St. Drostan (again not a very good night) after waiting in line with many challengers for a beacon roll.
I was ready to go at 08:30 … pretty early for me, but this second to last day was my longest (35km) and sounded with 1200am also quite strenuous.
First time I took this route out of Tarfside … goes up pretty steep to eventually reach the last corbett (Mount Battock) with beautiful 360 degree views.
Before reaching the top I met Jan, a german scientist who works as a prion research professor at UC London.
Amazing his career and achievements and also personal stories. We walked together all the way till the Charr bothy … nicest bothy that I have seen so far!
Jan stayed here pitching his tent and for me it was only halfway towards my planned campsite destination.
On the way to the Feteresso Forest I came by this beauty of a little hill …
… and after a couple of kilometres on a street with fast traffic I entered the huge managed forest … not pretty … and also including a decent size windfarm – probably around 30-40 towers …
I was quite worried on whether I would find water at the campsite location inside this vast forest – and I did!
And even more worried that there would not be a flat and usable flat open space for the tent – but I found one … so all good at the end.
As a matter of fact — at the end of the day three challengers seeked and found the same location …
Cooked my last meal …no more food in my backpack!
Which brings me to my learnings for today:
- Great minds think and plan alike 😉 …
- Do not overplan supplies … a day without food you survive! Water is more important.
- If I look at the people I already met by pure accident it was well worth it for me …
- If you sit at home you cannot meet people!
Tomorrow a quick 4-5 hour hike to Stonehaven … I picked a path that should allow good and fast walking with only some car traffic towards the end. My plan after arrival is to drink the whiskey that I carried with me the entire trip … possibly have a beer at the harbor, check into my hotel, clean up, go to Montrose by train and pickup my finisher shirt … I will report 🥳
My Travel Adventures 