Thursday 24 June 2021 - A Trip to Braemar

This is our first visit to Scotland for a long time - since my trip with Markus in October 2019, and in Sue's case since a TGO Challenge reunion earlier that year. 

Our first stop, at Tebay - pictured above - was marred by the sight of a man at a nearby table having a heart attack. We saw the ambulance heading for him soon after we left the services. It must have taken about 30 minutes to get to him. We hope he was OK.

Apart from that, our 300 mile journey was uneventful, if a bit damp at times. We reached the comfort of Thornbank Cottage at 4pm.

A pause in the rain enabled us to stroll around Braemar. We passed the Invercauld Hotel - closed for renovations, it looks very dilapidated. 

Further along the road, the view back to Braemar features a few cows in the foreground. Missed from this picture are the herd of deer - all boys with big horns - and the shrieking oyster catchers amongst a warren of rabbits.

Back in Braemar, the once dilapidated Fife Arms Hotel seems to have been converted into a high class establishment on the apparently thriving high street.

Before returning to our peaceful base at Thornbank Cottage (no TV, no Wi-Fi, lots of books to read) we noticed four gaudy Range Rovers that we had passed in Glenshee. Very strange...

Then it was back home for a lovely Greek salad etc and a peaceful evening, a toast to 'Mr Grumpy' - Peter Goddard (RIP), and the soft patter of raindrops inducing what I expect to be a long sleep.