Day 10, to Callater

 

Strictly speaking my visit to Callater wasn’t part of my Challenge although it was originally. My planned route was to take me over Lochnagar but there looked to be more snow up there than I was happy with.

In addition to this I had the responsibility of getting Lynsey’s birthday cake up to the Lodge for her surprise birthday celebration. Sooooo…..

1) I arranged to leave my tent etc at Kate’s in Braemar, to be collected the next day.

2) Jeanette transported the cake and me to the lodge in her 4x4

3) I stayed at the lodge on the Sunday night

4) I walked back to Braemar on Monday morning to collect my kit and walk to Ballater.

This meant I wasn’t breaking Challenge ‘rules’, yet I still got to do Callater. Simples!

And so the Plan swung into action. Much of Sunday was spent sorting stuff, eating, and socialising with other Challengers. A good way to spend the day. Louise needed time to rest her poorly tootsies and Callater wasn’t on her route anyway so she stayed an extra night at Kate’s bunkhouse, along with Nik Lawcock. I gather Merlot may have been taken – especially when Sue and Martin rolled up.

Jeanette rolled up during the afternoon and loaded me, my lightened pack, and The Cake into her 4x4 and off we went, up the road and along the LRT to the lodge. All was well until we spotted Lynsey, Alistair and Isabel walking along the track to the lodge. QUICK – hide the bloody cake!!

We did and by the time we pulled over to say hello, the cake had been unceremoniously shoved under the seat in front of me. Phew!

I walked through the door of the lodge to greeted by Bill, who shook my hand with his right hand and handed me a cup of tea with his left. Who said men can’t multi-task?! It wasn’t long before I was being absorbed into the unique atmosphere of the lodge. I don’t have the words to describe my feeling for the people or the place, it’s just very special to me.

T’other Lynsey, Michael and Peter outside Callater Lodge

A convivial evening was spent in excellent company, and of course the highlight was Lynsey’s birthday surprise.

             

        Bill with The Birthday Cake                                        Lynsey, the Birthday Girl

And now a moan:

There were new faces this year – most were rather taken aback by the hospitality offered by Bill, Jeanette, Michael, Ross and Keith – and others too. It’s good manners to accept such hospitality graciously, as most did. I’d like to think that any inappropriate behaviour exhibited this year would not be repeated in the future. It’s bad form.

End of moan.

Bill, as ever, was the perfect host. He never ceases to surprise with his knowledge of Scottish poetry, song and traditions. I thoroughly enjoy being in his company. A real gentleman.

As the evening progressed, songs were sung, poetry recited, and stories told. A ceilidh in the true sense of the word. The room began to empty as the guests retired for the night, and so ended the (almost) perfect evening.

My intention was to get to my bed before 1am so I would be up, bright-eyed and bushy tailed for my return walk to Braemar and continuation to Ballater.

I’m afraid it was another failed plan, it was well past 2.30am when I finally hit the sack.

Perhaps plans aren’t such a good idea after all.