I know we are supposed to start with part 1, but when did CHA ever do anything simple! All will be revealed in due course.
We had been entertained at breakfast by some very large rabbits running around the grounds and a tantalising glimpse of a red squirrel running up a tree. The people in the hostel had to either walk up to the hotel to catch the coach in the morning or wait at the end of the road to be picked up. I walked up and soon everyone piled on to the coach eager to start the walk.
It was a bit drizzly as we set off from Nethy Bridge but it was pleasant walks on tracks most of the way to Granton-on-Spey where we were greeted with music to sing along to blaring through loud speakers in the street and a parade of vintage wagons and tankers. After a lunch stop the track led us through the ancient Caledonian forest. As the day progressed the weather improved and that was the last time we had to wear our coats, It just got better and better. The rain overnight had fallen as snow on the Cairngorms and the best skiing season they had ever had was extended into June.
We finished the walk in Cromdale and were back in Aviemore for 5.00 pm. Plenty of time for shopping at Tesco or just relaxing in the hostel with tea and carrot cake. In the evening Jean taught a few of the hostelers a dice game while I read my book. The hostel had the advantage of plenty of communal rooms that the hotel lacked and was much more relaxing but of course the people in the hotel had lovely spacious bedrooms with ensuite baths and had their meals prepared for them. You win some. you lose some!
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