The Way Complete – R&R in Aviemore (2nd blog today)

It had been snowing even more in the night and I woke up to a white world. Nothing wrong with winter at the end of March in the Cairngorms. Long may it continue.

I had worn the same clothes for 4 days at the beginning and even the recent ones were dirty, so I needed a launderette. I completed the East Highland Way to Aviemore, just a couple of miles from the hotel, and found the launderette.

I cleaned my clobber, stocked up for the second leg of the trek and found a fishmonger with some interesting contents for a barbecue. I also found a disposable barbie at the BP station. All set. Completely ignoring my namesake Chipper.

The snow was still heavily on and off but I knew there was a river behind the hotel with a shoreline under trees where a bbq could be protected from the wind and precipitation. Looking the other way, in the direction of my next stage through the Lairig Ghru, it looked a bit dodgy.

Looking down to the river it looked perfect.

Get a barbie going and top it up with local wood.

Get some Scottish langoustines on for a starter. Kismet Hardy. With packaged salt, pepper and butter from the hotel.

Get scallops, crab and smoked haddock cooking in milk, parsley and garlic.

Drain it off and add three eggs, double cream and matured cheddar.

Call the ambulance before you have a thrombie. But it’s stunningly beautiful. And now keep the fire going through snowfall, starry sky and nightfall.

Brilliant food, brilliant fire, brilliant day.

Night night.