Day 6
Wednesday 17th May - Tummel Bridge to Blair Atholl
Today was a day to be on our way fairly early. It was Bernie's stag do in the bothy near Phones, just off Wade's Road towards Kingussie.
I ask you all now, as Challengers in particular, as well as mountain types in general. Do you know that sinking feeling in the pit of the tummy when you realise you have to cross open ground later that day and the map you need is safely in the parcel to be collected tomorrow?
Well there I was. Franticly grabbing every tourist brochure, containing any form of map from the campsite reception. At the same time accepting the wholly justified volley of abuse from Dave. Sadly I seemed to make things worse, if it were possible, by seeing the funny side of the situation far too early!
So clutching a glossy foldout tourist brochure we set off down the road. After a few miles we arrived at where we thought we should take the path north, and over to Blair Atholl. Oh yes and did I mention we had a time deadline too! Can't see the train waiting for us.
Dave, by now calm and accepting our situation spots a hotel on the road from Tummel Bridge towards Pitlochry etc. I'm sure many of you know it well. Surely not the bar already it wasn't even 10.00am. Coffee and local knowledge, maybe the staff have a map etc etc.
Now age and alcohol may have fogged me a little, but I recall the proprietor or duty person was a square block of a guy. A retired rugby player of standing. Very pleasant, and indeed a wealth of local knowledge. He didn't have a map but with the one we had and his written instructions, we were sure to triumph. We ordered a coffee as the least we could do.
That consumed and buoyed by the instructions etc I'm ready for the off. Dave however is deep in conversation with this guy about the finer points of the game. Dave is a student of the game, name dropper extraordinaire, and played in his youth as winger or some other poncey position. I on the other hand, having played the game for best part of 30 yrs as a forward and all round battering ram, never quite saw the need to learn the rules relating to anything outside the scrum or line out. Twiddling my fingers and grunting as required I sat mostly outside this debate. Ever more impatient to get going but didn't dare press the point as this situation was my doing!
Eventually we left, followed the instructions, path, forest stile, tracks then through a farm on the right of way. I'm sure so many of you will have taken this route and will know exactly where I mean. Lo and behold a few hours later we arrived at the top of a hill and looked straight down at Blair Atholl.
Soon at the station and with an hour or two to spare...you guessed it - to a bar. We were grateful for many things that day but mainly good weather. In bad conditions the calculated risk we took would have been a non starter, and a long road walk. We drank to the weather, several times!
The train arrived, and we got to Kingussie without a single hitch. At the cycle hire shop collected the mountain bikes we had booked for 24 hrs and pedalled off to Newtonmore. Whilst riding the few miles to the Lodge Hotel I was regretting the half dozen Guinesses I launched down my face whilst waiting for the train. But hey ho.
The staff at the hotel were fab. Pressed our wedding suits posted up in readiness for the wedding next day. Once we were sure all was ready for the next day, we rode off to the bothy. A fairly short ride, still with full pack.
Once there, and my recollection is that we were the first, we set the tents and ate well as we knew a few beers were to pass before the night was done. The others started to arrive from various directions, from a trickle to a healthy flow. The bothy area was awash with expectant challengers when a land rover appeared driven by Geoff from the lodge hotel. This was stuffed with ale. A real vision. A thing of beauty....sorry if I'm going on a bit but it was an emotional moment!
Those of you who witnessed this evening's event will have special memories. Those of you who may have heard about it - it isn't true.
Probably a photo that the subject thinks is long gone !!!!!!!! (photo edited by Doodlecat) I would however like to point out that not only am I sat next to him and sporting a 93 goc badge, and a Tan Hill Inn patch, but the small flash of green and silver is an 88 or 89 'Ultimate' challenge badge. What price ??
