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JOURNAL

The Green Bothy

I’ve spent a lot of time in beautiful places… but now and then you find somewhere which you know is a little bit special. This bothy and the surrounding woodland are without a doubt one of those places for me. I’ve never been to a more peaceful, well kept bothy. It’s so full of character, and has been so thoughtfully placed. The huge decking looks out over the trees, a river and miles and miles of open hills. There’s deer and sheep wandering around, and very rarely any people. In fact, the only people we’ve seen up here have been estate workers and the gamekeeper.

It’s such a beautiful spot, that it’s somewhere I’ll never share the location of online. I’m not even referring to it here with the name it’s known as… we’re just calling it the green bothy for now. One thing I can share though, is that it was actually the setting of a recently made horror film, ‘She Will’. The film itself is a little slow, but it was interesting to see the bothy decorated as a residence, and spotting other nooks of forest and lochside spots that I recognised. I’ve always wanted to sleep here overnight, but to be honest… this film has sort of ruined that idea for me. Too spooky, no thank you.

Amy Spires
A Riverside Ride

Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than riding alongside a river, hills and mountains in the distance, with a flask of coffee and my big camera in my backpack.

This single track road by the river Feshie is undoubtedly one of my favourite little rides. This stretch would actually just be the start of most people’s routes… but I’m not riding for stamina and distance, I’m all about pottering along, looking for somewhere to stop and have a coffee, or for an old bothy to photograph, and this stretch has all of these things.

When I think about where I’m excited to bring Fox on one of his first rides away from the campsite, this is what I think of.

Amy Spires
Freedom on a Diamond Back

For someone who lives between a multitude of vehicles, you’d probably find it surprising to know that I don’t actually have a drivers license and I’ve been behind the wheel of a car approximately once in my lifetime, and it involved somebody getting off their bike specifically to point and laugh at how terrible I was.

I do actually intend to change the lack of license issue soon, most likely next spring, after the puppy phase has quietened down (expect lots of dog photos in the future), but until then…. freedom on a diamond back is the next best thing.

I’m a little delayed in writing this as it’s early autumn now, but this summer was all about getting the hang of being back on two wheels. I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was kid, minus the quick rental on our honeymoon in Holland, but I can confirm the child like joy is still in it as an adult. I was out on that bike every morning, every evening, and sometimes an afternoon too. I’ve slowed down a little now as the weather has turned, and again, having a puppy, but I’ll be squeezing in rides as much as I can. We’re lucky enough to live in an area with bike tracks everywhere, and incredible scenery to see on the way, and I have every intention of milking it.

Being able to jump on my bike and head out for a few hours by myself, without having to rely on my husband or friends for a lift has been essential for my confidence and sense of independence. I can even head into Aviemore by myself now, to pick up a few things. That might seem like nothing, but what a novelty after a year or so of having to wait on other people.

Not to mention, the absolute pleasure in customising a bike. That’s a whole different bonus joy too.

Amy Spires