More spectacular scenery, on the way ro Aberdeen.

I had a number of wonderful days on my way to Aberdeen, eventually resorting to catching a bus, not because of injury, but because of big distances without somewhere to stay. 

After leaving Cullen I ambled along the coast, stopping to take photos, and stopping even longer to chat to people.  It was one of those special days where unexpected things happened.   

Looking back at Cullen, with the golf course on the edge of the village. 

Distant views of the coast.

My path turned inland, on a very quiet road to Fordyce, a village that appeared, almost out of nowhere, and disappeared just as quickly after leaving it.  Looking back all I could see were trees, but while in the village there were some wonderful old buildings, and even a seat for me to have a rest.  Even though I was heading inland, surrounded by farms, there were distant views of the sea along the way.

An old building in Fordyce. 

The  remains of the old church and cemetery in Fordyce. 

Another treat was the next village - Portsoy.  A larger village, and a quite busy one, it being Saturday.   It was here that I found a Cafe open and was able to have a proper lunch - not always possible.   Here, I got caught up chatting with people (what a surprise I hear you say!), and lunch was much longer than it should have been.  Not only did I meet, and chat,with some delightful people, but I also left with a packet for afternoon people, provided by the Cafe owner.

Walking into Portsoy

A Church in Portsoy

Portsoy

Looking back at Portsoy

Again, walking along the cycle path, I had delightful coastal views, finally arriving in Banff as dusk was settling in.  It had been a long, but delightful day full of treats, and here I was to receive the final one.  The only accomodation I could get was in a 4 star hotel, and well over my budget.  I had reserved the cheapest single room, but on arrival I was greeted withe the news that I had been upgraded to a double room with a sea view AND it had a bath - perfect for relaxing tired muscles!

The view from my room in Banff - though I am standing outside, to get a clearer picture!

Banff was the place where I left the coast and headed inland towards Aberdeen.   This was a much shorter day, arriving at Turriff, my destination, in time to stop and have a coffee before heading across the bridge to my B&B.

Turriff is a "red" town.  Many of the buildings are made of a reddish sandstone, a marked contrast to the villages I had been passing through. 

All photos in Turriff 

My next stop was to be Cuminstown, but the hotel had closed and with no where else to stay I would have had to go onto Maud.  After discussions with my host it became evident that the best thing to do would be to bypass that leg, catch a bus to Aberdeen and then catch another bus out.  Buses, like the spokes of a wheel, head into Aberdeen, not across the countyside.

One of the gorgeous grey granite buildings in Aberdeen - more later.

As it turned out, this was the best thing to do, because, on waking I was unwell.  Thus I changed my plan; booked into the Station hotel, spent the next couple of days resting, forgot about going back to Ellon, and have now continued towards Dundee and St Andrews, via St Duthac's Way.  That, however, is for the next post.