Enochdhu to Devils Elbow

Woke to the bliss of a very still misty start 😁 Again, more climbing to Upper Lunch hut for the customary coffee break. Not a full bothy as more of a shelter. No fireplace or bed lofts. Couldn’t find Lower Lunch hut 😞 …

… out of the shelter & immediately hit with an hr & 1/2 of serious push’a’bike! Then promptly down again 🙄 Started the climb to Glenshee ski lifts early arvo, but opted for a wildcamp 2/3rds of the way up. Steeper push tomorrow.

Devils Elbow to Balmoral Estate

Last 3rd of climb upto Glenshee ski lifts. Stopped for a poor cafe coffee! Highlight in a well-to-do Braemar was a standpipe 🚰 (a rarity in the UK) & an old guy from the Czech Republic on a kick-bike. Didn’t chat for long as he was keen to get into church 😂 …

… I on the other hand wasn’t! But perhaps I should’ve as the route went heavenly! Not sure where
@reizkultur was sending me 🤠 but found something more manageable on what is called the ‘Queen’s Drive’! …

… out of the native Caledonian forest & onto the heather moors. Wildcamped in a shelter & enjoyed a breeze free hot bottle wash 🚿

Was thinking: a bit harsh calling the kick-bike man an old guy. He was about my age (mid fifties), had a big bushy beard with a smokers stain, few missing teeth, weathered look & obviously been on the road sometime. He may have been younger than me 🫢 Huge respect to him 🤠

Balmoral Estate to Bovaglie

The morning vista was not too shabby from my shelter 🛖 First coffee down but sun’s been up for 2hrs since 0415! Now meandering through the Balmoral estate 👑 (freedom to roam) …

… hit by a heavenly squall 🤔 & took cover under a tree, which made no difference 🌧️ Soon, though, was sunning myself in an abandoned farm yard & then decided to make camp behind the stables. Once more a breeze free bottle shower. Pure ‘luxury’ 🤠

Bovaglie to Ballater

Very short day arriving in Ballater for a cafe scottish breakfast at 0930 😋 Not quite greasy enough to class as a proper workman’s greasy spoon! Then, magically I’d happened on the Ballater Hostel. 2 nights 🤭 If Carlsberg did hostels, this would be it! So well thought out 👍