On a Clear Day....

Dover - Shetland Day 31
Clatterin' Brig (Nr Fettercairn) to Aboyne

Distance cycled: today 32.2km, total 1791.9km
Ascent: today 639m, total 11,505m

Highlight: bright and dry conditions with a following wind to tackle the notorious Cairn O'Mount, which I aborted in Wednesday's appalling weather. Whilst not a walk in the park, also not as tough as I'd expected and made it back home in 1hr 45mins.

Lowlight: whilst I was on a fast descent, the lead rider of a group of motor cyclists coming the other way cut a corner at very high speeds and nearly took me out. Not much camaraderie there amongst the two wheeled users of the road. Idiot.

What else: the Cairn O'Mount has apparently been a route through the Grampians since prehistoric times, with amongst others Edward's Army crossing it back to England 'to think again'. Fasque House, a couple of miles from its southern side, was owned by the older brother of the four times Liberal Prime Minister Gladstone, who often stayed there. Which is a nice link to my Day 4 picture of St Pauls Cathedral, as Gladstone was the first commoner to be afforded the honour of a state funeral there.

Photo: the saltire accompanying the viewpoint guide near the top of the 454m (1493m) is showing signs of being exposed to the often severe weather seen on this mountain crossing. The distant view today was a bit hazy, as normally Fife can be seen. The snaking ascent road I have just puffed up is clear enough though!