After leaving Ella we had a rest, and some of us fell asleep. Then we drove down the South Deeside Road to Balmoral and up into the hills, where we read for a while and then went for a short walk down the Corgarff path, retreating when rain seemed imminent. Back at the house we watched Poldark (not brilliant really) then the Canadian Grand Prix, which meant we were late in bed.

Today we decided not to take up a picnic invitation from Ella and instead drove  first to the  Lochnagar Distillery (briefly), then on to Corgarff, where we had lunch and I looked at the graveyard. Then up to the path leading to Amy’s Bridge. Despite unpromising weather, we walked down and then on into the wilderness, taking a track that ran halfway between the road and the ridge. After finding the source of the stream that leads to the bridge, we turned back and reached the car just as rain was setting in.

We drove down to a parking spot by an old bridge  not far from Gairnshiel  and Dot read while I wrote a poem. Then we returned to Ballater and bought fish and chips. I have lost a filling yet again and booked an appointment with the dentist on Wednesday. We are now relaxing after doing a bit of packing and tidying up.