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Had to attend to some domestics - so a short day for Harvey.
Parked in a wee layby at the side of the A939 just below the high point on the Grantown side.
Hopped over the roadside fence and followed animal tracks up to the hill fence on the ridge then followed the fence to the top. On the way up H put up a blue hare which hopped off at a great rate. A curlew circled above us anxiously calling, just as a shower hit us. Had to pull my snood up to ameliorate the effect of the snow/hail stotting off my face.
In the bealach a golden plover serenaded us as we splashed along the fenceline, to be met by the sun as we mounted the thoughtfully placed style and sit behind the cairn at the top.
![Looking towards the main top of Baddoch.jpg]()
- Looking towards tha main top of Baddoch from the boggy bealach
![The handy styles.jpg]()
- Harvey at the top of Baddoch
![View from Baddoch across to Meall a Bhuchaille.jpg]()
- View from Baddoch across to Meall a Bhuachaille
As long as the sun played on us, it was quite pleasant with fine views to the lower hills since the higher Gorms were in the clag. After feeding H his treats and a bit of lounging, I spotted the next batch of showers heading our way from across Strathspey.
As I stood up to leave, I spotted a deer quietly grazing away about 100m across the way. The breeze was blowing from that direction and it hadn't scented or spotted us, so we left it in peace and scuttled back over the subsidiasry top to gain the sanctuary of the car just as the sleet arrived..
The Fire Station Cafe in Tomintoul had a notice in the door saying that it wouldn't be opening on Mon & Tues this season. - shame - a good watering hole denied !
Made it back in time for wee Lana's first cake 'n candle celebration.
