Drum loop - with a twist

Six of us showed up this fine morning, all in regulation hi-viz yellow. We had thought we might be eight in number, but Les was a no-show (slept in?) and Mike Reilly's debut will have to wait for another day. John P later confessed that he may have accidentally misinformed Mike to meet us at the Scout Hut, rather than the Guide Hut! Les did send an e-mail (timed at 8:27 am) to say he couldn't make it, but I never got this until we stopped for our scone break.

The initial discussion centred around the possibility of heading westwards in to the wind on the way out, but Ken and I weren't too keen on heading back to Torphins again, having been there on Tuesday - besides which, it would be too early for Platform 22. Eventually, we agreed on a Drum loop - through Crathes grounds and up to Hirn, then eastwards from there. The plan was to stay on tarmac and good tracks, trying to avoid any flooded areas.

When we got to the foot of the hill that leads up to the back of Drum Castle grounds, Ian suggested we bypass this and carry straight on - an inspired move that avoided that nasty climb.

The scones at Drum Garden Centre were delightful and warm - and good value too - and then it was time for the first team photo:

Ian Stewart, Bob Elder, Ken Page, Scott Hunter, John Perry & Ian Sharp

The route home was to be the Deeside Way but Ian suggested a slight diversion at Crathes and took us down to the river, under the Dee Bridge and along to a fisherman's hut, beside which there was a lovely spot overlooking the river:

We had to hop over a stile and cycle round one of St. Ternan's football pitches to get back to the Deeside Way at Milton, but it was a very worthwhile diversion.

John P supplied the birdseye view of our route:

My Strava stats show that the total distance travelled was 38 kms - almost identical to Tuesday's outing, but with less than half the climbing, and much quicker - https://www.strava.com/activities/378486333.