Day 14 South Redbrigs to Mintlaw Station

Wednesday 24th May Day 14 24km 60m ascent
The morning started dry but overcast and I made my way back to the road down to the delightfully named 'Sprottyneuk' where I continued picking my way along the minor roads with curious cattle rushing up to the fences to see me as I worked my way around New Deer before reaching the old railway line, now the Formartine and Buchan Way. I had been watching the showers passing by all morning and was begining to think that I might miss them all but as I reached the line the heavens opened with a great rumble and I found myself caught in a spectacular thunderstorm.
I managed to shelter from the worst of it under a bridge but was still dripping when I arrived in Maud and decided to look into the Station Hotel to check the quality of the local Guinness, which I can confirm is excellent as was the, very reasonably priced, large slab of home-made chicken and vegetable pie with roast potatoes.
I had now finished with the road walking and the rest of the route was along the Formartine and Buchan Way a pleasant but still showery walk passing the ruined Abbey outside Old Deer before reaching the camp site at Aden Country Park in the sunshine.
I was the only tent on this well maintained council site and I made full use of the showering, washing and drying facilities to try and make myself more acceptable to the human race before visiting the nearby hotel for an excellent dinner. I slept well.