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So the weather looked a little bit pants, but had to get away, so settled for a wee wander from Garva Bridge through to Luib Chonnal bothy for the night for some R & R.
Didn't arrive at Garva Bridge until the after noon, and set out along the corrieyairack road - foot killer! I had worn my boots on account of the potential boggyness of the path going through to Glen Roy. Turned out to be the right call.. There was a lot of work being done to the pylons that go through the pass, but must confess that the way they are carrying them out, makes for minimum eyesore and noise - well done constructors I thought
It was beautiful, lots of BOPs, Buzzards fighting with crows and a hen harrier watching me from a big boulder. There was a track to Shesganan, but the path beyond was 'indistinct' to say the least. I struggled over tussocky, boggy ground before picking up the (very boggy) path again as it climbed up above Loch Spey. There I was treated to some impressive diving from an osprey and a sighting of an otter
The river was alive with salmon indeed, and a feeding frenzy was in full swing further on - Ospreys, Otters, Herons, seagulls all were having a fine feast as the salmon all converged on the smallest, shallowest part of the spey beyond the loch to spawn - Never seen the like before and it drew my attention for a long time. I could see the bothy anyway, and the boggy path continued right down to it. I crossed the Allt Chonnal by the ford - looked shallow enough to make it over with dry feet, but there were some deep bits and definitely some damp socks, but didn't matter so close to the bothy.
What a bothy it was - enough wood to stay for the entire winter and a cosy room upstairs with nice velux windows proviing ample light. I did contemplate putting my tent up on the other side of the Allt Connel, as heavy rain was forecast overnight, and had fears that the river would be uncrossable in the morning, but the fire was too cosy so as the evening wore on, I couldnt be bothered so didnt. Lots of owls round there and a lovely hooting soundtrack to the evening. I took a trip over to the white waterfall, but couldn't get across the river Roy so was disappointed
The morning came and while there had been rain overnight, the river levels had not risen too much yet, so I hotfooted it back. The rain came on about 10 minutes after I left and was heavy
Found the path to Shesgnan, which was partly good walking, and partly through very marshy ground. The rain had made the stream there very hard but not impossible to cross then I was back on the track, on the home straight. The rain went off at that point, and everything was fine again. I had seen a lot of Capercaillie droppings on the track so I had been hopeful of seeing one, and sure enough I disturbed a male who flew of with a grumpy noise - amazing
An uneventful trot back concluded the trip, which was one of the best wildlife trips I have been on, and came back with batteries fully recharged so mission accomplished
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