Day Twelve

A rest does you good you know. I was like a little mountain goat. Having finally found my walking legs (and possibly some clement weather) I enjoyed my final days walk.  

A mizzly riverside start to the day. 

Leaving Aberfeldy the route picks up the river path to Grantully. I stopped for Popmaster and a snack but otherwise pootled along and arrived - shockingly - too early for lunch. I watched the river rapids and mooched around the chocolate shop, checked the food options, made my choice and waited for it to open. Sitting next to the rapids I watched school kids whitewater rafting - with varying degrees of success- as I ate a very nice bowl of soup. As I was fairly convinced I wouldn’t make the afternoon train I took my time. Having a cup of coffee but deciding again dessert. 

After Grantully the route leaves the river and wanders up into the hills. I climbed, passing many ageing gates with signs asking for them to close but no hope of actually doing so. Eventually I reached the high point of the day and was able to look back down the Tay and Tummel valleys. Occasionally on this route you can feel the drovers might have come this way.     A little further on and further back time wise, I stopped at a stone circle for a final snack. I got out my walking poles and began the descent into Pitlochry. 

For most of the way I gambled along, the route goes through forest and the sky was overcast - I even put on a jacket. Dropping down past the woods and the farms I hit the A9. Have you ever tried turning right on the A9 on a Friday afternoon in summer? Now imagine trying to walk across it slowly, with a huge rucksack on. I stood at the edge of that road for a very frustrating five full minutes before there was a gap big enough for me to cross. 

Down the hill, across the swingy bridge and into Pitlochry. I’ve visited Pitlochry lots and on a busy afternoon didn’t feel the need to hang around so I took myself to the unmarked end of the route.  Checking my watch and I was in time for the train. It was a choice of trying to find somewhere to wait for three hours or going for the train. And that I did.