Tuesday 31 May 2016
Day eleven begins pretty much the same as the preceding ten days ….it’s early, the tea is on and we breakfast on pain / Dan au Chocolat. Shortly before 8am we de-camp (I know, I’m like a regular Bear Grylls!) and head off…
When we planned our LEJOG route today was the day that stood out as the biggest challenge. Even though we now have the last two massive days in the bag today still looms large and we are all a bit anxious
The route takes us up and over the Cairngorms so we are expecting big scenery and big climbs
The first 10 or 15 miles fly by pretty easily and we pause in Blairgowrie for second breakfast and we also decide to pick up lunch for later as we are not sure when we will next see civilisation.
Shortly after we get our first glimpse of what’s to come in the distance.
It’s another beautiful day but when we see snow up ahead of us, albeit not very much, it confirms that we are in for a really challenging day.
We continue to climb and climb and climb….we often climb for six or seven unrelenting miles at a time then drop down again only to start climbing again…it’s incredibly draining both mentally and physically.
We pause in Braemar to stock up on supplies….
And then press onto 53 miles for the day so that we manage to stick to our “no lunch until two thirds of the miles are done” rule . We also find the most beautiful spot to stop next to the river Don. Once we have eaten it would be rude not to have a paddle and indulge our inner chi.
When we finally set off again the scenery continues to land punch after punch.
It soon becomes clear that what we thought was already really pretty tough climbing….
Was just the aperitif and it starts to become positively alpine…..we are literally cycling up the side of mountains……
Today we truly do get very close to what we are capable off both physically and mentally….it is super super tough and the weather adds to the challenge
Finally we reach the top of the very final climb at Lecht Ski Centre…..
And we begin the drop down (at last!) into Tomintoul
A minor planning and admin oversight reveals that the expected “campsite” in Tomintoul is actually the local Bowling Green teams car park and there are no ( read zero, niet, nada) facilities…it is just a car park. When I release that Marc and Dan are serious when they say, and this is a direct quote “it’s fine” I take almost 0.9 seconds to tell them I am checking into the nearby Richmond Hotel (very exotic!) and I will see them later. I leave them to their strip wash with wet wipes in the local disabled toilets whilst I have a very hot shower and a snooze on my comfy warm bed…..whatever I’m not proud!
Day over and it has been for me at least the most exhilirating, spectacular and amazing day of them all…..one never to be forgotten.