River Spey

 
It’s still raining.
 
After our power cut last night, we had no water this morning.  TT was in the shower when the water stopped.  Those of our group who were up early managed showers, those like us, who were not up very early did not manage showers.  We went down for breakfast and reported this.  They were investigating the problem, but believe it’s linked to the power cut last night.  We thought that things seemed better organised at breakfast this morning – we were wrong.  We both very much enjoyed our breakfasts, but we waited a very long time for it and had to ask to order and ask where it was and ask for marmalade.  All very tiresome.  At least they recognised the error of their ways today, and we got ours for free.
  By the time we got back to our room, the water was on again.  Time for showers and then to pack up.
 
We said our good byes and we all headed off in different directions.  First off we walked down to the Craigellachie Bridge to inspect the River Spey.  It was very high and very fast flowing.  It was just at the level of the walkway which goes under the road bridge.  By the time we walked back, it was lapping over the walkway.  We later saw it had burst its banks at Aberlour and around Aviemore.  We decided against driving down the A9, and drove up to Dufftown and planned to go over to Deeside.  We had to have a considerable detour due to a road closure.  We eventually made it to Deeside, and drove along beside a very full and fast flowing River Dee, with low clouds over the hills.  We stopped in Braemar to stretch our legs and to grab something to eat.  The rain had almost gone off.  We had a quick wander, admiring the Fife Arms, and the Highland Games park.  TT made a purchase from the brewery and I made a purchase from the adjoining patisserie.
 
We then got going again and drove down through a very wet and atmospheric Glen Shee.  We got to just south of Blairgowrie, but could get no further as the road was closed due to flooding. We tried a number of roads, all flooded.  My local knowledge came in useful, but wasn’t much help as the River Isla had also burst its banks. After a stressful time of driving through floods and many closed roads,  I eventually managed to get us back on track and we made it to Perth.  The rest of the journey was plain sailing.  Our return journey had taken us much longer than it should have.
 
BB was delighted to see us – and his first words were – what’s for tea!!!  He had though managed to look after himself over the weekend, he had cooked and the kitchen was even cleaned up and tidy.   I went out for a quick walk, as I have barely moved all day.
 
The end of a lovely, but very wet,  weekend.  I wish I had taken  tomorrow off!
 
This is the River Spey from the Craigellachie Bridge, the extra is the River Clunie at Braemar.