Day 8 The End

First of all packing up.




Then Eamon had a bit of work to do loading the coach.


Then after the usual 'I've forgotten to hand my key in' and 'I just need to check my room again' we set off at 9.30 am heading south in beautiful sunshine.



One more last stop in Moffat for lunch in the park and last minute souvenirs before arriving back in Bingley just after 6.00 pm.


I'd just like to thank all the people involved in organising the holiday, I'm sure everyone enjoyed it and all the volunteers who led the walks, without you we couldn't do it. Thanks to Eamon from JAK Travel for looking after us and driving us there safely.
An extra special thank you goes to Ray, who against all odds managed to book the week when the sun shone most of the time! Well done Ray.


So that's it for this year, see you all next year in Tenby hopefully,don't forget to book early!

Day 7 Part 6 Fochabers to Buckie

This is what you think of when you think of the River Spey, fly fishing.

As we set off on the final part of the walk on a beautiful sunny morning our thoughts turned to the sea as the final part was along the coast to Buckie. But first a few problems with the path as there were diversions in place due to the instability of the river bank.

At last the party regrouped and had a short drink stop at the widest point of the river. You can tell it was hot, Derek took his coat off!!

We had our lunch at the beach at Tugnet where the Spey meets the sea.

After lunch there were a few more problems with the route and people getting lost but nothing too serious. We met up with Eamon again, saw seals at Port Gordon and eventually arrived at Buckie with 15 minutes to spare for taking photos of the Speyside Seven. Its good when the driver does part of the walk with you. you don't have to spend time finding the coach at the end. Well done Eamon, I hope you enjoyed it!

Seven people completed the whole walk in the week and Ray and Jackie finished the walk having done the first part some time earlier.

Back at the hostel two large school parties arrived with the comment 'I thought youth hostels were for young people'! Jean soon set them right telling them of our achievements during the week. They were going up the mountain on the funicular, Jean had walked up.

Almost the end of a most enjoyable week's walking in an area I had never visited before.

Day 6 Part 5 Craigellachie to Fochabers

13 miles and 1100 ft of climbing put some people off before we started especially as there was an alternative walk on the Dufftown spur that took in a visit to a distillery! But actually the climbing was very steady at first on a track through a wood with distant glimpses of the Spey. I don't think my mind was on photos today so no views but a few unusual things instead.

The last 5 miles of the walk was along a minor

road with a small amount of traffic which was a bit of a shame. The unusual named hamlet of Ordiequish is a centre for mountain bike trails through the forests.

The walk finished in Fochabers which is badly in need of the by-pass currently under construction. The main road cuts the town in half. There weren't many shops but there were two butchers shops, one on each side of the road!

We were cooking our own evening meals at the hostel and tonight's was the bargain of the week, a cooked whole chicken reduced to £1.00 in Tesco and it was still warm by the time I'd walked back to the hostel, can't beat that!

Day 5 Part 4 Cragganmore to Craigellachie

The full walk was 12 miles today but some people took a shorter option of 9 miles. Easy going walk along disused railway tracks so no climbing and plenty of lovely wild flowers to look at. There weren't many on the longer walk today as some had taken the opportunity to go up the Cairngorm mountain, either on the funicular or walking up. I would have liked to walk up myself but having come here with the intention of walking the whole of the Speyside Way I wasn't about to be put off.

We were in real whisky country now and passed several distilleries, some in use and some

mothballed for future use . We had our lunch stop at a small village called Carron

and managed to find a train for Alan to drive!

Further along the line we met up with Eamon walking to meet us and then had an afternoon tea stop at Aberlour Speyside Way visitor centre.

As we approached Craigellachie we caught glimpses of the Telford Bridge in the distance.

The other party had reached the end just before us and some were having refreshment in the pub whilst others were just relaxing in the sunshine at the end of the walk!

There was just time to have a look in an amazing wool shop selling very unusual yarns and beautiful knitted garments before catching the coach back to Aviemore.

You might think that was enough walking for one day but I had decided to explore the nature reserve at the back of the hotel and hostel so I dropped off my rucksack and set off just after 6.00 pm. Two hours, 3 miles and 493 metres climbing later I returned having seen some stunning views.

Day 4 Part 1 Aviemore to Nethy Bridge

Eamon's day off so it was easier to do part 1 today using public transport to get back at the end of the walk. Eamon decided to join us on the walk to see what we all get up to.

I didn't manage to find an official start of the walk so took a photo of the map showing the first three parts. One or two spots of rain as we set off but that soon cleared and the sun shone brightly the rest of the day.

We had a lunch stop at Boat of Garten where some people finished and returned on the bus or went to visit the RSPB Osprey cemtre at Loch Garten. The walk continued along a cycle track and through the Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve.

We caught the service bus back from Nethy Bridge at great speed and were back in no time at all. Plenty of time for shopping, cups of tea and buns and writing postcards, all of which I did.

Later in the evening most of the people in the hostel went to the hotel for a quiz night followed by a trip to the pub for a night cap. I preferred to read my book and have a hot chocolate....must be my age!!