yaaaas, a day off and we escaped in ella for a night, just the two of us for a change. we headed off up to the cooperage at macduff and did the wee tour (although they forgot to give us a guide). we watched the guys fixing the barrels for a while then headed off to carrbridge where we stopped for soup and a seat on the lovely bridge there. then on to aviemore which was busy. we had a wander around, then found a campsite about a mile out of town to camp. the difference in getting the van set up for camping overnight when you don't have the kids!! ie. we parked...and opened the wine. no awning or moaning. we walked in to aviemore to go for a curry then found the old bridge inn for a pint. johnny hardy from the old blind dogs was playing with some fiddlers and it was cosy, so we stayed for a few. it was nice to sit in a pub together like we used to! then a windy, dark walk home to ella with a rosy glow on.