Holidays 5

Wednesday - today was our 'longer' journey away from Ballater - we decided to drive through the National Park on the one road through the middle, accross to Aviemore. So, after a bit of toast and jam, we got en route. It was only 50 miles but, partly because we were enjoying the scenery, and partly because it's a mad wiggly road, it actually took us about an hour and a half! We came through some little towns in the middle of nowhere and came through some amazing scenery and the beginnings of the ski area.
For lunch we went to JJ's in Grantown on Spey - a bizarre little place in a bizarre little town. It took them 45 minutes to churn out some soup and a sarnie. 'New chef' was the excuse. I'm thinking how come you need a 'chef' to make soup and a sarnie? Never mind, we then did a bit of a nice tour round the smaller roads behand Aviemore - Loch Garten is the place where the Ospreys were that we wanted to see - only problem is - they're migratory and had gone for the season (they leave at the end of August) but we stopped there anyway - and I'm so glad we did - it was stunningly beautiful (see the pics) not a big loch, but still clear water lapping up against pine and various other trees....amazing place. I knew Dan was starting to feel better when I heard him say '...and the next time I see you, you'll be in my fire...'! 'Who are you talking to?' I said. 'The logs' he replied.
There wasn't really a circular route option for coming back so it was the same way again - nice to see it from the other angle though - including a most surprising castle which seemed to pop up out of nowhere. Gorgeous. Most of the drive was through scenery you'd invent for a movie! Honestly this place is stunning! I was pleased we made it back in daylight though as some of the single track roads were a bit 'challenging'!
For tea we went to 'La Mangiatoia' - a nice little Italian place in Ballater - the pizzas were fantastic and definitely the best I've tasted for some time. Another fab day!
PS oooh forgot to mention that we saw 2 red squiggles at the lake - they were too quick to snap but they were gorgeous!