Day 3 - Wednesday, 16th June 2010
Had a good nights sleep in the Glen Clova bunk house, had one of Hilary's cereal bars for breakfast, these have come in handy and I've got one left for my last morning on the road tomorrow.
Set off down Glen Clova at 8:50, sun shining and now temperature is a lot warmer, actually started off in short sleeves for the 1st time on the trip. Glen Clova is idilic on a sunny day, many birds can be seen as you cycle down the road.
From Dykehead, at this end of Glen Clova, headed towards Edzell, again these roads are very up and down but with legs fresher, at the beginning of the day, made Edzell, 30 miles down the road by 11. Had a cup of tea and scone at a coffee shop in Edzell and bought a sandwich for my lunch picnic at a shop next door.
Cycled 2 miles, north to Glen Esk campsite, my plan was to pitch my tent and leave my luggage there so that I can go up and down Glen Esk unburdened. The campsite was a bit more basic than Braemar but in a nice spot, the tent pitches are at the bac,k on their own, I was the only tent there. I cycled up to the camping area and there was a rope across but I lifted it and went and pitched my tent. This tent (vango helium 200) I've got is ideal for cycle camping, very light and easy to pitch.
After the tent was pitched, I went to check out the facilities, the thing is, the toilets are so far from the camping area, I cycled to them. When I cycled back to the tent, I ran right into the rope across the entrance, I think this must be a trap especially for cyclists. Luckily the rope snapped and I just have a scar across the bridge of my nose.
Anyway I set off up the Glen Esk Road, which is 15 miles and 15 miles back. It was with some in trepidation, as I had met a chap in the Edzell coffee shop who had said that it is uphill going but easier coming back. Indeed, I can say, I never really noticed it's gradient on the way up, I think it was because my bike was a lot lighter without the camping paraphernalia.
Glen Esk was well worth the trip, I had read it was the most unspoilt Angus Glen and I think its a great spot, the amount of wildlife at the road side was a revelation, rabbits, red squirrel, countless birds and 2 Red deer grazing in a field at the far end at Invermark. There is also a museum two thirds along with a cafe. Hilary and I are planning a trip again soon. At the far end, I had my sandwiches by the river Esk, an ideal spot for a picnic. I guess the cycle up Glen Esk must be more uphill as the cycle back to camp was more downhill than not.
Got back to camp by 4 and managed to catch the camp receptionist and pay my £10 for the tent. I forgot to mention the mantrap in the form of the rope across the tent area, I did drape some greenery over it so it was more visible during the rest of my stay.
I headed down to Edzell for my dinner and tucked in to steak pie at the Tuck inn cafe. Went to the Panmuir Arms down the street to watch the world cup, Uruguay 3 - S. Africa 0, S. Africa had a man sent off but Uruguay deserved a win.
Back to the campsite and I think I slept better this time in my tent, still not as good as my own bed though. Managed to keep the copious amount of midgies out of the tent, those that did get in didn't seem as vicious as the dreaded west coast variety.
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