Cycling at Linn of Dee

James and Alison set out early this morning on their long planned walk along the Lairig Gru. Hugh gave them a lift to Loch Morlich and they got started at 8 a.m. Hugh and I then drove round to meet them at the other end if their walk; they were going to walk out at Linn of Dee. We headed for Ballater first; we were driving behind a German tourist bus as we arrived at the picturesque and very steep Gairnshiel Bridge. The bus stopped for a minute as all the tourists jumped out to take pictures and then teetered over the bridge - I really thought it was going to get grounded at the steep bit in the middle and as it went over the back wheels went way up in the air but it made it! I was delighted to go along the road from Tomintoul to Cockbridge for the first time in many years - it is the road that always closes first when Scotland gets snow, and you always hear about it on the radio, my Dad always used to point it out. It is very steep in places but on this verdant early summer's day it was difficult to imagine it deep with snow. We arrived at Ballater and had a look around. There is a brand new Jubilee memorial beside the church; it's a rockery with stones from all the different mountains in the area, and the large central stone is inscribed with the dates 1952 - 2012. There's also a little metal statue with a crown on it. Nearly all the shops had displays of red, white and blue in their windows and there was bunting in the streets. Ballater is so close to Balmoral; it has very strong links with the royal family. Of course they weren't there today - they were all on the royal barge on the Thames in the rain! We had brunch in a nice cafe then went to cycle 5 km from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge, where we intended to leave the bikes for James and Alison, then walk back. However we set off in the wrong direction from the car park and cycled about 3 km before we asked another cyclist if we were on the right route. He kindly redirected us and we had to cycle back to the car park and then find the right track. When we finally arrived at Derry Lodge (about 5 more km) James and Alison were already arriving. They had made very good time and enjoyed their walk very much; it's the first time either if them has walked the Lairig Gru. They had some hailstones at the top but the weather was mainly good. They had met Carolyn and Euan, who were walking the other way, and had a brief chat with them. We all made our way back to the car; I suggested that Alison and Hugh should use the bikes because Hugh had waited for me very patiently so it was only fair that he should get a proper cycle with Alison. James & I walked back chatting and by ten past four we were heading back to Boat of Garten. A lovely relaxing evening ensued; Alison made us another delicious dinner and then we sat in the lounge talking during the light evening. We saw two buzzards circling above the garden and the nearly full moon rising. A great day.