Day 8
Friday 18th May - Glen Tilt to Braemar
photo © Jean Turner
In the morning I found another Akto had appeared in the night: this turned out to be Chris Barnes of Backpackers' Club, hiking some hills while his partner and her friend were on the Challenge. I left him before 8, and a few kilometres up, seemingly alone, and therefore none-too-careful when nipping behind a rock, I suddenly had to hurry, finding myself rapidly approached by two other Challengers! These were old-hands Roy (who told me everyone calls him Joe) and Bill - almost as old as I am, and more experienced Challengers. We walked together, occasionally joined by Chris, at first thoroughly enjoyably, but later in ever-deteriorating weather.
We finally forded the Geldie in cold, driving rain and sleet, the wind rising yet more as we passed White Bridge and beyond. Joe and Bill decided against their planned camp at Linn of Dee and accompanied me to Inverey hostel, which was of course full - many other campers had decided similarly. I was very glad I had booked Braemar, even if it meant another late road-trudge; Joe and Bill crossed to Mar Lodge and found shelter there. Delighted by another opportunity to have my pack transported ahead, I enjoyed the walk to Braemar, because of the company - first Andy Desmond, then a friend whom Andy introduced as "Patrick" but who turned out to be Humphrey Weightman! He and I found acquaintances in common, in my husband's Gaelic world, in which Humphrey provides graphic design for a journal.
We stopped off briefly at the Fife Arms, greeting Dave Beaumont (last seen Ardrishaig) and others, but I moved on at 8.30 to the Youth Hostel, where after a shower and meal I was too lazy to go out in the rain again. Again I didn't sleep well...forgetting how to sleep in a bed?
