Day 4 - Glen Tromie to Garva Bridge

We finished Day 4 with good spirits but slightly broken bodies. Zach seems to be getting stronger by the day. We definitely held him back this morning as he practically sprinted across the first few kilometres of Scottish bog. Ben and I, on the other hand, have seen our feet slowly deteriorate. Ben is dealing with two uncooperative blisters, and today I have developed a second one on my other foot. It has been tough getting around camp tonight but I am hopeful that we will get some good healing as we sleep.

We did 29 kilometres today and were helped along by a couple of strokes of good luck. Firstly we were able to make brief contact with the outside world as we walked through a few lightly populated areas. It was so good to hear from home and get a few encouraging words - thank you Mandy Pandy! Our second bit of luck came when we passed the coffee, cake, and gift shop that I mentioned yesterday, and it was open. We really really enjoyed the rest and the food: three sandwich buns, three cans of Coca Cola, and three pieces of cake (Zach - coffee cake, Ben - chocolate cake, JM - carrot cake). Soooooo good!!

What a Treat!

With renewed energy we hit the road for the last 10 km of the day. The boys got into a good discussion and I got into my own zone, and we arrived at camp at about 17:15. Dinner was maybe our best yet - One package of Dahl Delight (a rice with curry sauce), and one package of chicken piccata with noodles and capers. Mmmmm good!!!!

We are set up at Garva Bridge beside River Spey. It is a great spot beside a double arched stone bridge at the beginning of the approach to the Corrieyairack Pass. When Amanda and I came over the pass the other way a couple of years ago, it was in some of the worst weather I’ve ever been outside in. I have my fingers crossed that we are more lucky tomorrow... We will see.

Garva Bridge

Today was another short and T-shirt day, although much cooler towards the end. We had sun in the morning followed up by some more ominous looking overcast in the afternoon and this evening. I would say we have a 50/50 chance of some rain tonight, which would be the first precipitation of the trip.
Zach commented today how he was amazed at all the different geographies we have seen already and after listening to him I agree. Rural/agricultural, mountainous, plains/moors, lush vegetation (Glen Feshie), back to hilly agricultural, and now back to mountainous. It is pretty remarkable to have seen this all in just four days.
We are all looking forward to tomorrow - our first day in an accommodation. Yay!!! Hot showers, laundry, and fish and chips will all be on the menu. And of course we will be searching for Nessie!! Provided our feet cooperate, we should make good time there. I think the boys are very excited. I am too!
It’s 8:15 and we are in our tents. We are too tired and it’s too cold for dice. I can hear the boys laughing in their tent but I suspect it will get quiet pretty soon. I’m about to go brush teeth and then try to get some sleep. Thanks again for reading. Good night!

Health update - see above

Best part of the day - no question the lunch stop. The lady in the shop was so nice. The food tasted amazing. It was the best!

Route details - We headed NW from our campsite at NN 752 922 to pick up a path at NN 739 936. We followed this path to General Wade’s Military road, and headed SW from there. At the buildings marked Phones we followed a small road NW to an electrical utility building then bushwhacked down the hill and across the A9 to the Glentruim Road. At Catlodge we followed the A889 towards Laggan. Veer off onto the private road at NN 605 936. We then rejoined General Wade’s Military road and continued East towards Garvamore. We are now wild camping beside Garva Bridge at NN 521 948. We will be rejoining the SNT route tomorrow at Fort Augustus.