Gelder Shiel for lunch....

Despite the weather forecast telling me there would be rain, the sun shone quite warmly. There was a strong wind though. However, if I'm going to get fit enough to complete the Challenge this year, I have to brave the elements. No problem today then, even the sky was blue for a while.

My other problem is a blister under my big toenail on my left foot. Why this has happened I am not sure - but it is quite painful as it keeps hitting the top of my boot. I wrapped the toe up to protect it and wore some cosy merino socks then walked fairly gently, trying not to hobble too much.

I thought that going downhill might be the most problematic so I chose a more or less flat walk out and back to Gelder Shiel, taking my lunch.

{A lot of snow-melt in the River Dee} 

The warm air had removed almost all the snow that had been lying last week. I could hear the River bouncing along well before I reached the bridge.

Apart from the strong gusts of wind which occasionally threw up a tiny bird above me struggling to fly, the walk was quite uneventful and I reached the bothy easily.

{Inside the bothy}

I sat inside to eat my lunch and listened to the wind howling around outside while I read the bothy book. It's a cold place so I didn't stay very long.

{Outside looking towards the Lochnagar corrie}

{Looking back towards Balmoral}

I walked a little way past the buildings to the burn which was in full spate. The ground was wet and there were still some snow drifts, now melting in the sun.

{Best view of the day}

My toe didn't feel too bad but I decided not to push it and started walking back again. A loud 'plop' in the ditch was probably a frog in the mud but I wasn't quick enough to see it clearly.

{A VERY bad photo of some frog-spawn}

There was frog-spawn in the ditch - the first of the year.

Back home, Viewranger says I walked just under 14 km which isn't bad with a sore toe!