A Weekend in Aviemore - Sunday

The Strathspey Railway leaving Aviemore

This morning we had to check out of The Park after a delicious breakfast of scrambled egg and smoked salmon on a bagel. The owners were so nice and we felt very safe with all their Covid precautions.  This is a hotel I would gladly go back to!

After breakfast, we walked along the Main Street a bit after parking at Tesco for a few essentials.  Then we saw the telltale smoke coming from the train station!  Let me tell you we ran to the station, even me with my stiff knee. I was NOT going to miss the train this time.  There it was rearranging itself to get back in front of the carriages so it could then lead the train out again.

Due to my experience of wandering the street aimlessly the day before, I knew where the best vantage point to watch the Strathspey Railway as it left Aviemore was. But I chose the wrong boulder to stand on!  Alan went bit further along the fence to get a nice view, but I was not tall enough for that. So I went back to "my" boulder.  It would have been a great frame for a photo but I could not see the station or the engine revving up.  A man stood behind me about 6 feet on a different boulder.  I asked if he could see it all and he said yes....and then he offered to trade places with me. The kindness of strangers happens in the most unexpected places!

After watching this train leave Aviemore and wishing we were on it, Alan told me his friend who was also here suggested we meet at Blair Atholl for lunch!  But wait, Alan had texted back and said, no we just had breakfast.  An hour ago!!!! And it would take over another hour to get to Blair Atholl, plus we had not had a real meal since Friday.    So I was able to text the friend myself and say yes, we will meet you anywhere for lunch!!!

Of course, I also love Blair Atholl, we camped there with our grandson last year.  It is a beautiful little village with such an interesting mill.  When we arrived there, I went straight to the mill to buy some fresh flour. Always fun to buy so direct.  I got a bag of regular plain flour and also self rising.  They did not have any spelt, like they had the last time I was there.  They also have marquees all over to be able to feed people lunch, but our friends were at the Atholl Arms so we went there instead.

It was nice to sit at a table, even if outdoors, and with other people! To have conversations and enjoy something other than a meal deal or cold chicken.  And in such an interesting place.  The Covid rules are very strict and enforced to the T in this hotel, great by me.  But to enter the building to use the bathroom was a bit daunting.  They asked if I had done track and trace and make sure I keep my mask on.  It is a one way route to the bathroom and then out the back door.  But walking through the entire building was such a treat. The inside looks like it has not been redecorated in, well ever! But not neglected, just historic and beautiful. Then, going out the backdoor you go along what would have been the stables.  This is my kind of thrill. I don't know if I will ever stop being a tourist in this amazing country.