Awkward Gates and Soggy Ground
The 10-mile walk from Ballindalloch to Cromdale is not always an easy one. The Speyside way organisation describes this walk as the hardest section of the route. And, I agree, especially as there was heavy rain the day before my walk. The paths had become water-logged, and sometimes a cow encounter can be a wee bit scary.
My focus for this journey was on the earth. I wondered how best to proceed on boggy wet ground. Is it best to walk right through it? An endurance test for my waterproof walking shoes. Or should I jump and meander in-between the soggy puddles? The grass was slippery and made my walk a little precarious. I only think about the ground when walking becomes a challenge. Instead of a steady stroll, my action became a light-footed dance upon the green.
The Chain Lever Gate Challenge!
Please don’t let these human-size traps fool you as they can lure you into a false sense of security. These gates have been described as “Jaws of Death” by the children of one walker. Chain Lever Gates are not designed for kissing. They snap shut on your backpack or hit your body as you pass. And, I believe the best course of action would be to walk with another. Bring a fellow walker and take it in turns. Hold the gate open to allow safe passage.
The Cow Encounter
As I got closer to the Mains of Dalvey, I had to take a slight detour due to cows and calves blocking the route. I have heard that cows can be aggressive if they feel threatened. The British Mountaineering Council recommends that,
“If you walk through a field of cows and there happen to be calves, think twice; if you can, go another way and avoid crossing fields.”
Flitcroft, C. and Gardner, T. (2020). Take care around cows: warning for walkers. [Online]. www.thebmc.co.uk. Last Updated: 28 September 2020. Available at: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/Taking-care-around-cows [Accessed 16 August 2022].
My detour took me off the path, over fields, and it took a little time to get back onto the Speyside way. Once I was back on track, the walk through the Cromdale hills was on easier terrain, but by then my legs were tired. For more information about the Speyside Way, please visit https://www.morayways.org.uk/routes/the-speyside-way/
