Glenesk & others

The fabulous weather continued and the Freewheelers were determined to have an "away day" this morning (Thursday). A few of us had, the previous evening, discussed  the possibility of driving to Aboyne and heading up the Tarland Way again, but when we met up at the Guide Hut, a prior suggestion of heading to Glenesk won the day.

There were 7 of us so 3 cars were enough - Dick took Robin and I, Mike took Bob, and Scott drove Ian over Cairn o' Mount. Parking the cars at the side of the road next to The Burn House, a University building fondly remembered by Robin, we headed inland up what we thought would be a very quiet tarmac road - after all, it's a dead end - eventually.

It was a lovely ride, although the number of cars, lorries and vans surprised us a little, but they didn't spoil our enjoyment of a beautiful glen on a glorious day. The road itself is a bit of a switchback - there are no killer hills thankfully, but plenty of ups and downs. This was our first pit stop:

We came to the Glenesk Retreat and Folk Museum, which was the coffee shop some of us thought we were headed for, but the louder voices said "onward" so we cycled on and soon came across the memorial at Tarfside:

Would this be our turning point? No - onwards we went until we eventually did hit the end of the road - and Invermark Castle:

Now we could head back and have that long-promised coffee stop. We sat outside The Retreat at a table and placed our orders. The coffee came in three filter pots, the last of which went to Mike, who immediately tried to push the filter down, but it was a little stiff, so he pushed harder and harder until eventually there was an explosion of scalding hot black coffee everywhere - especially over Mike himself and poor Robin, who was sitting beside him:

Clean-up over and coffees and scones consumed, it was time to head back down the glen. Mike and I spotted a photo opportunity and swapped cameras:

Unbeknown to us, Dick and Robin slipped out the side exit and dashed back to the cars. There was no way I could have caught them, but Bob stepped up and darted after them - he and I could swap chauffeurs for the return trip.

It was a longer than expected run - 49 kms - and it was nearly 2 pm by the time we were all home, but what a great morning. We will return.

Elsewhere, Mike was out again on Tuesday and Wednesday and Peter R, John M, Malcolm L and Les G have all had solo rides this week.