Day 11 – A Royally special day.

Thursday 11^th August 2011

After a wonderful night in warm beds at the Inver Hotel, the team left in pretty low spirits as they realised that the long awaited night of comfort was over in a flash. They peddled off up the road in the drizzling rain at just gone 6am. It was a mission getting everyone packed up in the hotel without waking the other residents. The support vehicle followed the cyclists up to a track junction. There were slightly more hills along the way than the team expected but they took them in their stride. Meanwhile Sean told jokes to Becky over the radio as she cycled! At the track junction the team changed into their walking gear and ditched their very sodden cycling kit. They headed off up the track to summit Mount Keen (a very antisocial Munro as it was very much out of the way of any of the others so a bit of a pain!). Mount Keen was dedicated to the Parachute Regiment and was very kindly sponsored by Dynamics Modelling.

Meanwhile the support team cycled (walked!) the bikes up the same track so that the team could then cycle them out once they had finished climbing Mount Keen. Once back at the road the team cycled at break neck speed down to Loch Muick where they were to enjoy a lovely lunch with HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.

The team timed their arrived at the cottage where the lunch was to take place perfectly. They had a welcome party to clap them in consisting of Sophie, Rupert, Sarah and the rest of HRH’s entourage who had all arrived just before the team. Sue and Charlotte Snell were also there representing the Inver Hotel, kind sponsors of Lochnagar. The welcome party also included Euan Rellie who had met everyone and donated to the Munro Mission at the Inver hotel reception. Euan was staying on Balmoral Estate not far from the cottage and was very keen to join the team, so they were more than happy to have him join them. Most importantly, the team were greeted by John and Moira Adams from Croesyceiliog in Wales. Mr and Mrs Adams are the parents of Private Kyle Adams, a 21-year-old paratrooper who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2009, and they had come a long way to be with team and HRH on this special day.

The runners were then applauded as they cycled down the drive looking very tired and muddy!  The morning had been tough as they had raced to meet HRH on time, and had had to walk on tricky ground with lots of hidden holes, but they were glad to finally be at their destination for some food and a chinwag with royalty!

Almost immediately after, HRH arrived driving her 4X4 and looking the part with her climbing socks, climbing boots and walking stick! After a very quick clean up (Sarah was ready and waiting with the baby wipes!) and a change of clothes, the team were all ready to meet the Duchess, after keeping her waiting for only a few minutes! The photographer put the boys in place and shortly after the Duchess came over to chat and have photos taken whilst the boys tried not to look quite so knackered! HRH was charming, funny, easy to talk to and full of admiration for the team and their monumental efforts. She even mentioned that the Queen was worried about them which cheered them up no end! 

 The Duchess greets the very tired Munro Mission team

After all the initial meetings, The Duchess led everyone into the cottage for a lovely lunch. The cottage was built by Queen Victoria and has been in the family and untouched since so it was like walking back in time! Everyone tucked into sandwiches, crisps, soup, coke, chocolate, tea, coffee (and even sloe gin!) provided by the Duchess’ team whilst they mingled and chatted. The Adams’ met the team and were truly taken aback by their dedication and the challenge that they were undertaking. At one point he even said “ I can’t find the words to describe how fantastic this group of people are. I really can’t. To be doing what they’re doing at such a young age is something really special”

Once full of yummy goodies, the group then gathered outside with the stunning backdrop of the loch and the rest of Balmoral Estate. Mr and Mrs Adams, the team, HRH and the local minister all stood together whilst the others gathered around. A few lovely words were said by the minister before HRH handed over a handmade heather wreath to the Adams family. It was a truly special moment and everyone was very thankful to be present. 

 HRH shares a few words with John and Moira Adams after presenting them with a hand-made heather wreath in honour of their son Private Kyle Adams

Unfortunately the midges had started to descend so the group started to get ready to head up their next Munro, Lochnagar. Lochnagar is the 3,789ft peak in Glen Muick which Prince Charles has regularly painted since he was a child, and was dedicated to Private Kyle Adams. The wreath was to be laid at the summit of the Munro in Kyle’s memory, and Lochnagar was kindly sponsored by The Inver Hotel.

Everyone started lathering up with Avon’s Skin So Soft (amazing for preventing midge bites) and Sarah offered some to The Duchess’ Equerry, but he had never heard of it and thought he was being offered moisturiser so a good giggle was had!

The team then said goodbye to The Duchess, Sophie, Sarah and Rupert who were all staying behind, but not before Ceri got the Duchess to sit on his knee! A fantastic moment which has been captured and has taken the media world by storm! They were all waved off and headed up Lochnagar with the Adams family, Becky, Henry, Sean, Lucy, Sally, Rupert, the local minister and Euan. 

 The Duchess takes a cheeky perch on Ceri's knee.

The walk up Prince Charles’ favourite Munro was absolutely beautiful and not too steep, with lots of wonderful waterfalls littering the way. The heather looked so pretty along the well worn path which made for good walking. The parents of Private Kyle Adams took the wreath they were given by HRH up with them and laid it at the summit in honour of Kyle. The weather also stayed dry which was a wonderful bonus. The team picked up the pace and steamed on ahead, summiting the Munro in 1hr 45mins. They waited at the top for the Adams and the rest of the support team for a photograph in front of the summit. The team then went on to climb the rest of the day’s Munros which they did in record breaking time, finishing ahead of schedule at just after 2100. 

 The local Minister, The Adams' and the team on Lochnagar before laying HRH's wreath of heather at it's summit in honour of Private Kyle Adams.

Becky and Lucy ran down the whole way from Lochnagar (which was a lot of fun) and then cycled the mountain bikes out the 5miles or so back to the trailer. The rest of the night was then spent in a car park! Hundreds of midges were swarming around everywhere and it was impossible not to use a head net! The team were all suffering a bit with aches and pains and the first aid kit was in full use last night. There was lots of tiger balm for Alex and his shins, whilst Tom went straight to sleep after a good supper and Ceri had a refreshing dip in the river to ease his muscles.

All in all it was a really good day for the team that started off badly but ended up very relaxed and finishing ahead of schedule. They really enjoyed having lots of company up Lochnagar and it was a godsend that the day stayed dry for the Duchess and the team. It is a day that the whole of the Munro Mission team will remember for a very long time to come. It was truly special. 

If you would like to support families like the Adams' and honour ex-service personnel like Private Kyle Adams, then please visit our website to sponsor a Munro and donate to DecAid's chosen charities. Thankyou.