New Order's first non factory album

I was up early this morning but Rancid was having nothing to do woth early rising.

I got up made tea and then at 8.00 he emerged(not a morning person).

Upto Tomintoul and then on the bikes. Rancid had 2 corbetts that he wanted to go up, alot of people said these 2 were boring hills. So I came up with a route that joined them and made it a bit more fun. We cycled up Glen Avon, what a cracking river and glen, eventually we reached the start of our hill. We sat as an eagle soared overhead and we watched it as it checked us out. Brown Cow Hill the first objective, ringed ouzel, mountain hares, grouse and roe deer livened up our asset. Load of juniper bushes as well. We reached the summit after a wee run along the top. Ben Avon crowned the skyline and would be our constant backdrop for the day.

Back to the bikes and heading east up Glen Loin on an excellent landrover track. Another cracking wee glen. A spot of lunch, and then on the bikes to the end of the track.

We headed west to Geal Charn, stopped to admire 'The Castle' which is quite impressive. A fast ascent up the ridge and then picked our way through the tussucky grass to the summit. Red deer this time, grouse and mountain hares. Cracking view of the high Gorms from the summit, on the way back another eagle sighting.

Back to the bikes and then a push upto the summit of Cnap Chaochan Aitinn. A weather station on the summit with a Ben Avon backdrop. This little hill had the luxury of a good track from the summit all the way back. So from 715m we descended, I was on a non suspension bike without disc brakes, Rancid powered away on his well equipped bike. My arms were aching as I was braking constantly and managed to stay on.

What a brilliant day, thanks so much Rancid. Not sure of the distance 55km possibly, my body is tired.