Day 76. Tarbert by Scourie. I have not been able to access the internet for a few days so some catching up to be done. The walk to Sandwood bay is 4.5 miles of rather uninteresting moorland and lochs but is well worth the effort. Sandwood bay and my camp at Tarbert. The day had started badly, being the idiot I am ignored the irritating noise from the back of the bike until it suddenly got much worse and I discovered I had lost a bolt and another had sheered off from the back carrier. I was able to effect a temporary repair with cable ties and made it to Rhiconich where I met some better prepared cyclists who were able to remove the broken bolt and supply a new one. After my walk to Sandwood and back I then carried on to Tarbert, arriving after 10 p.m. but still in time to see the sunset over Handa Island. Tired, I slept well. Day 77. Scourie. I was very pleased I made the effort to get to Tarbert the previous evening, I was able to breakfast andpack up the tent on a fine morning and be first in the queue for the 9 a.m. ferry. Just as well because 2 minibuses turned up and the ferry is only a little inflatable. In any list of 'dream jobs' wildlife warden on a beautiful island must figure and the Handa gig must be one of the best. If you like sea birds this is the place to go, there are lots of all different species but veryfew Puffins sadly. I had a wonderful walk round the island I saw 2 lizards and 2 newts which thrilled me more than 10 000 guillemots andI saw a cuckoo being chased by enraged small birds. Incidently, Cuckoos are everywhere up here, I haveheard them all day every day for the past week and have seen them (rather than just heard) many times having never seen one before. Rock stack on Handa and the ferry back. I really treated myself back in Tarbert where there is an excellent restraunt serving local seafood and I had lobsterfor the first time in my life, very nice it was too and the restraunt staff didn't laugh at my desperate attemts to search out every last edible morsel. The hill out of Tarbert is very steep so being full of fine food pushed the bike out of the village and on to Scourie where I camped. Day 78. Achmelvich. What is it about bacon sandwiches? I stopped at Kylesku and some bikers were having bacon butties and I just had to have one, and it was good. The road from Unapool by Drumbeg, Clashnessie and Stoer is very hilly so lots of pushing up and hair-raising downs. Iwas enveloped in a cold mist for much of the way but as I approached my destination clear blue sky was restored (althugh the low cloud lurked in the distance). View from Stoer and sunset over Achmelvich beach. Achmelvich is one of my favourite places ever since coming here with my parents and some siblings over 40 years ago, the white sand beach, the green turf and grey limestone all in perfect proportion and a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery ... magical. Day 79. Lochinver. I will be brief, it is grey and drizzly, no scenery but I am happy to be in the best pie shop in the world (www.piesbypost.co.uk) and will shortly go to chocolate heaven, they know how to cope with lousy weather round here. Lochinver in the mist from the path to Achmelvich. Tomorrow I aim for Achiltibuie. Good day.

Day 75 part 3. What I find truly, midbogglingly, incredible is that I can stand in a field in the remote north west corner of Scotland and post this picture taken from Faraid Head and that people all over the world can see it. Astonishing isn't it. Good night. < a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EHdw5zQiYQAvBnGs-GCpbrIbs8Gkh9xZIJGcZXPDiBb0vqCiSFnOXYT6anMb56s2EinhXi9SYDhfX3ipc4BUhsRfVXefsHsTY_OoqFqI8ukTG4E3Qmj_cc5N_oR0dfFCTjIDTAMf69Ej/s1600/20130527_210021.jpg" imageanchor="1" >

Day 75 part two. Durness. Tiredness, the wind and the attractions of Durness persuaded me to tarry awhile here, I have found a nice cheap b+b so will head for Kinlochbervie tomorrow. I think I have got some pics uploaded of Ben Hope, me on top of Ben Hope and inside of Smoo cave. Good night.

Days 74 and 75. Durness. If someone a year ago had told me I would be capable of cycling 13 miles, climbing a 3000+ foot mountain then cycling another 13 miles before camping out on a windswept moor I would not have believed it. However, yesterday was such a splendid day and Ben Hope looked so enticing this is what I did. The climb is steep and unrelenting but is rewarded with the most astonishing views, I read you can see half of Scotland from the summit and that is possibly true, I could see to Orkney, Cape Wrath and mountains to the south stretching for miles including Foinaven and Suilven. I have just had a tour of Smoo cave and am contemplating staying in Durness for the night or pushing on to Kinlochbervie ready for the walk to Sandwood bay. Good day. Regret still don't seem to be able to upload photos too little memory apparently I shall have to seek advice.

Day 73 part 2. Altnaharra. It is difficult to imagine there is anywhere better to be than northern Scotland on a fine day. I was on the road for 8.30 and made good progress along largely quiet roads passing through Ardgay, Bonar Bridge, Lairg and Crask Inn. I had read about a fire at the visitor centre at the Falls of Shin and it is very sad to see the utter destruction of the centre and the smell of smoke still hangs round, I believe quite a number of people in the area are now out of work as a result, I hope it can soon be rebuilt. Lairg is a charming little town perched high up on the shores of Loch Shin and has a excellent visitor centre telling the story of the town and surrounding area. The climb to the Crask Inn is very long but so gradual it is not arduous, the Inn is very isolated and lacking in modern comforts but the lady who runs it emerges from the back when summoned by the bell on the bar and supplied me with cake and ginger beer for a mere £1.50. I was talking to a couple from South Africa who are touring the area and I was impressed by the gentleman's story of cycling from Montreal to New York through the tail end of a hurricane. I will not grumble about a bit of wind and rain for a day or two! I am staying in a log cabin behind the Altnaharra Hotel tonight, the hotel is rather posh (catering for hunting and fishing types) but also provides less salubrious accommodation for the likes of common cyclists like me. I have been allowed in the lounge to access the internet. Tomorrow I take the road to Hope and will assess whether or not an ascent of Ben Hope is a sensible option, if not I will aim for Durness but will camp out if I scale the most northerly Munroe (mountain over 3000 feet). Good night.

Day 73. Tain. Met up with my old friend and his cycling group last night for a meal at St Duthus Hotel and had a great evening swapping cycling and football stories. The chap I met yesterday is Dave Higgins and his website is www.coastingroundbritain.co.uk he has been joined by his brother who arrived in Tain at 01.30 due to train delays, they are all packed up and ready to go at 07.30 this morning each with a backpack weighing about 12-15 kg. Glad I am on my bike, wheels are a big help, wonderful invention. I am heading off into the northern wilds aiming for Altnaharra (the coldest place in Britain) where I am told there is no phone signal so may not post for a day or two. Good day. Having trouble with pics again, sorry.

Day 72. Tain. Sing, 'what a difference a day makes when the wind is light and clouds are higher and the sun is bright, I can see for miles and miles and miles.' Lovely ride over from noisy Dingwall (Ross County football club are relaying their pitch and start work at 7.00 and finish at 21.30) on a little road high up the hillside through patches of forest and shared by few cars.The view overto the Black Isle and beyond was super and at Invergordon was an enormous cruise liner (I am told it is the Queen Mary but it could be the Bootlebumtrinket for all I know). Didn't see much of Tain as I made straight for the campsite at Dornoch Firth where I met a chap who is walking round the coast of Britain, I will post a link to his website (I have left the address in my tent). Visited a charming little church that not only has a Pictish carved stone in the graveyard but a portable wooden pulpit! Have also met up with a friend who is cycling the route I am following but in the other direction so we are going to dine together tonight. Had trouble uploading pics yesterday, will try again now. Good night. Chanonry point, Campsite at Dornoch Firth, Edderston Curch and 9th century pictish carved stone.

Day 71. Dingwall. The showers were mercifully brief blown on by the stiff norwesterly but the rain still stung on my frozen cheeks. I had a little explore of the Black Isle (not an island atall) and stood on Chanonry Point in hope of seeing dolphins, lots of people with binoculars doing likewise but I hope they did better than me. Super little museum in Rosemarkie, Groam House with some really good carved stone Pictish art. Have now reached Dingwall which seems a nice little town, even has a 24 hour Tesco store so if the tent blows away in the night I know where to get food and shelter. Hope to meet a friend who is cycling down from Altnaharra tomorrow when we should both be in Tain. Good night.

Findhorn houses, Kessock Bridge, Culloden memorial. Day 70. North Kessock. Today, dear reader, I have failed to reach my intended destination. During the first part of my trip back in March I struggled against a cold relentless easterly wind, today I struggled against a cold north westerly wind and by the time I reached the Kessock bridge I was pretty fed up and very tired so have sought refuge, warmth and rest in a b+b at North Kessock overlooking the beautiful Beauly Firth on a lovely sunny but perishingly cold evening. I ask you again to consider birds, not the nocturnally noisy Oyster Catcher, but the oft overlooked Blackbird. I was joined for breakfast by the boldest male Blackbird I have ever encountered he hopped around as I ate my pain du chocolat (thanks Letty) and took morsels from the toe of my shoe. I have seen many birds on my travels Kingfisher, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch and Curlew to name a few but few bring as much pleasure as the good ole Blackbird with its fine song and fearless nature. My trip today took me by way of Forres and Nairn to the site of the battle of Culloden, where in April 1746 the exhausted and cold Jacobite army was routed in 90 minutes by the Government army, a bleak and windswept moor it is but the visitor centre is excellent giving lots of background information to the events leading up to the battle, well worth a visit. Inverness seems busy and a lot smarter than I remember it from my last visit but I had not time to stop having lingered so long at Culloden. So tomorrow I shall explore the Black Isle and report back. Good night.

Day 69. Findhorn. It was cold last night, a north westerly wind is blowing and there is much cloud However, undaunted I went into Forres and had a good look round, a ride to an old distillery (I was interested to find out the process of rendering water into something as awful as whisky is achieved) and walk up to the Nelson Tower, with wonderful views and even sunshine. This afternoon I have enjoyed the hospitality of friends from Yorkshire at Burghead and therefore the benefit of wifi to write this. It has been raining but I am now to return to Findhorn. I will endeavour to upload some pics. Good night. Pics of Duffus Castle, Lossiemouth Beach and Nelson Tower, Forres.

Day 68. Findhorn. No wifi so I shall be brief, I am camping at the Findhorn Community Foundation, interesting place but more commercialised than I expected. Had a long walk through the dunes and a picnic supper on the beach. Today cycled via Duffus castle (a lesson in building on unsuitable ground), Lossiemouth (very noisy on account of powerful military aircraft taking off and landing) and Burghead (site of a pictish fort).Tomorrow pottering around Forres and back to Burghead in hopes of a cup of tea! Good night. Can't upload pics for some reason .. sorry.

Day 67. Excited. Today my blog has gone 'global'(every continent has had a look) with a hit from Zambia (thanks Michael) and new hits from India and Jordan. Also have now passed 4000 hits, hardly gone viral but I am pleased with that.

Day 67. Elgin. Fortunately it was a hot pepperoni pizza I managed to drop on the bed and carpet. I appear to have travelled back in time and found myself in a b+b from the 1970's. The journey from Turriff was made under grey any very misty conditions with a brief appearance by the sun at Portknockie where I took a pic of the remarkable Bow Fiddle Rock which is close to the aptly named Shitten Rock which is white from guano. I followed cycle route 1 exclusively today and found the signing very good, especially the fiddly bits through towns. Portsoy is a delightful fishing village with a lovely park and is the home of very fine ice cream (I had chocolate orange today) unfortunately they do not have any outlets to the west but I think they may be destined for greatness so watch out for it in an ice cream parlour near you. Elgin has been a very important city in the past and has a ruined cathedral to prove it, Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here on his way to Culloden, in hindsight perhaps he should have stayed longer. Tomorrow I shall revisit places I last saw in 1970 (I think) like Duffus castle and Findhorn. Good night. Bow Fiddle Rock and Elgin city football ground.

Day 66. Turriff. £8.50 (€9.50) for a 16 mile return bus trip to Fyvie! Yesterday the same bus company let me travel about 130 miles for £15.50. Huh. Fyvie Castle is very grand with lots of impressive art including a superb Millais landscape and fine plaster ceilings. The place is very popular for weddings and it is easy to see why. The weather today was, as forecast, wet and misty so the castle didn't look it's best but I enjoyed a leisurely look round, a very nice slice of coffee and walnut cake before a soggy walk round the loch back to the village. The very nice people at the b+b provided an excellent soup and sandwich supper which saved me from a damp trek to the takeaway. I have discovered Portsoy ice cream, I am not usually that enthusiastic about ice cream but their chocolate and ginger is divine. Tonight is the annual Eurovision humiliate the British song competition, oo look some paint drying.... Good night.

Day 66. Turriff. On this misty, moisty morning I am considering my options for the day and I think it will be Fyvie castle today. Those of you who have been following this blog will have noticed that in England I posted many pics of churches but not since I got to Scotland. There are lots of churches here but as with much of Scottish architecture utility seems to be the dominating principle so while buildings are pleasing to the eye and well proportioned they are not necessarily photogenic, Fraserburgh in particular struck me as a place built to serve the needs of the people with no fancy nonsense. I forgot to mention the delightful couple I met at Pennan. Having reached the age of 50 and having pledged as teenagers to do a tour of Scotland they were enjoying fulfilling their pledge in their matching hoodies sporting the old gaelic (I think) phrase 'phuck phifty'. I hope their car made it back up the hill out of the village as I assured them it would. Tomorrow I shall head west hoping to make it to Findhorn on Tuesday. Good day.

Day 65. Turriff. I know weather forecasting is never exact but when they particularly mention eastern Scotland as being ' fine with noticeably less wind' it raised my expectations as I set off to visit Pennan yesterday. The ride from Huntly to Banff was great I did 14 miles in one hour but as I reached Macduff a big black cloud had stationed itself above me and stayed put and gently rained on me as I struggled up the hills. Pennan was lovely and I had a nice bowl of soup in the hotel, the phone box is not where it was in Local Hero and needs painting but at last the sun came out (see pic). The hill out of Pennan was steep and very long I did the first 2 miles in half an hour and even after I got to the top the 'noticeably less wind' was noticeable by its robust and very real presence. I struggled on and eventually made it to Turriff and a nice campsite by the town park. Today I let the bus do the work and explored the area of Fraserburgh (really good lighthouse museum (thanks Letty for the recommendation)), Peterhead (big ships) and Aberdeen (big, grey and choked with traffic, the bus took an hour to do 7 miles). Back to a b+b in Turriff anticipating heavy rain tomorrow. Good night. Me at Pennan, Pennan Hotel and Fraserburgh lighthouse.

Craigievar castle. Day 64. Huntly. Prologue. Change of plan, due to the loveliness of this fine sunny morning and the forecast of a deluge of rain Friday p.m. and Saturday, I have decided to make dash for Pennan today so I can see it at it's best. Many of you will know that Pennan was used in the making of perhaps the best film ever made, Local Hero, and simple soul that I am need to satisfy my desire to visit the place where the famous phone box stands. I shall then seek the shelter of Fyvie while it rains. Hope to post more tonight but might be camping in a forest. Good day.

Day 62 Tarland and Day 63 Huntly. I am in a b+b in Huntly this evening but am concerned I can hear every word of the people in the next room, me thinks the accomodation has been created on the cheap, still it is cheap so I guess you get what you pay for. I got quite wet today but at least no snow although the forecast for the next few days doesn't look too good. Yesterday was a good day, after breakfast I pedalled up the coast to Dunnottar castle set in a dramatic cliff top position and scene of some important events in Scottish history. Then on to Crathes castle a more gentile place where a volunteer tipped me off about a folk night at the Aberdeen Arms in Tarland. The tip was well worth it, although the Aberdeen Arms is pretty basic and accommodates a takeaway in part of the pub, the quality of the music was first rate and I left at midnight while the musicians played on, I will try and put a clip on youtube but not sure I can do that from here. Today I have visited a 2nd century earth house and two National Trust for Scotland castle gardens at Craigievar and Leith Hall which were both charming in their own way but would have been better for some warm sunny weather! Heading for Fyvie and Turriff tomorrow. Good night. Dawn at Johnshaven, Aberdeen Arms folk night, Leith Hall gardens and Dunnottar castle.

Day 61. Johnshaven. Arbroath has become my favourite place visit so far, not only is the town very pleasant the people are too, most of the folk I met were cheerful and friendly. This morning I went to take a picture of Arbroath's football ground and discovered the gates were open so I wandered in and asked a chap if I could go in the ground and I ended up being given a guided tour of the whole place by a splendid fellow who turned out to be the chairman. I have never been behind the scenes at a football ground before and I was very impressed and had to work hard at remembering I am middle aged bloke not an excited 10 year old. I was thrilled and especially touched by the kindness and generosity shown to a stranger. I shall redouble my support for Arbroath f.c. and will endeavour to get to see them play (perhaps a friendly against the Wednesday). My ride to Johnshaven was aided by a stiff following wind and rewarded with some superb coastal views. I have met up again with my friend from Peebles who is working up this way and has long extolled the virtues of Johnshaven, he is right, this is a wonderful part of the world. Good night. Trophy cabinet in Arbroath's board room and Lunan bay.

Day 60. Arbroath. I have long had an irrational liking for Arbroath connected, I think, with the football team holding the world record for the most goals ever scored in a match (36). So today is a big day for me and I was desperately hoping I would like the place. Yet again the day started brightly then went all wet and cloudy before ending all nice and sunny. The ride from Old Scone via Balbeggie, NNewtyle, Glamis, Forfar and Friockheim was one of the best days cycling I have had. The weather was good, the road quiet and gently undulating and the views to Blairgowrie and Schiehallion were wonderful. I stopped at some lovely gardens near Guthrie (yet again I have forgotten the name of them) although while there saw a 'paperbark maple' ( an amazing red tree with amazing bark) and great view of a kingfisher that dazzled with irridescent blue as the sun shone on it. My first impression of Arbroath was favourable as even the less affluent areas looked cared for and although the centre of town has it's share of betting shops, pound shops etc. the town is lovely with rich red sandstone buildings (a bit like Carlisle in that resppect) and lots of parkland (although nearly everyone here appears to have a dog ...don't get me started on them). Ibhave found a lovely b+b so I am looking forward to a good night's sleep uninterrupted by oyster catchers. No pics tonight as the battery on my device went flat. Good night.

Day 59. Perth. Consider the Oyster Catcher (not the gourd), a bird of neat appearance with fine black and white plumage and smart red bill and feet. However despite this image I caution you beware of admiring this bird too much for, let's face it oysters do not present too great a challenge catching wise and although the bird flies and swoops impressively the noise it makes is dreadful especially when practiced at 2.30 a.m. If this behaviour is repeated tonight I may well report on how well they taste for breakfast. Today I met up with an old school friend and enjoyed a good catch up on 40 years of events in our lives, a very tasty pizza and a fruitless search for the site of the 1644 battle of Tibbermuir. Now back at Wetherspoons rooting for Wigan in the cup final. Good night. Watersport on the Tay.

pics of Falkland Palace, view from Hill of Tarvit and Triffids at Tarvit. Day 58. Perth. I survived my night in the wild woods, slightly disappointed I was not disturbed by any wildlife other than a buzzard squawking this morning. It was another beautiful sunny morning and after a breakfast of banana, snickers and orange juice had a lovely walk up the Hill of Tarvit and through the woods round the grand house. Then on to the bike for a ride to Falkland Palace (actually it was a hunting lodge) which although built in the 15th century spent centuries derelict after a fire and was restored at the end of the 19th century, almost as a shrine to the Stuart dynasty, but is very interesting and, in the well kept gardens has the oldest real tennis court in Britain. Here in Falkland was the best lunch deal so far, chicken noodle soup and crusty bread for £1.20, this is my kind of place. The ride over to Perth involved a long steady climb followed by a long steady descent of 3 miles through thickly wooded valley, but by now it had started to rain. After stopping for a pot of earl grey and proper custard cream I carried on to the campsite at Scone. I had a nice chat with a fellow camper who had just come from cycling round Islay in the wind and rain. A shower and change then down into Perth to find (yes you've guessed it) Wetherspoons, from where I write this. Tomorrow I meet up with an old school friend who I haven't seen for 40 years! Good night.

Day 57. Cupar. Today I have cycled 47 miles and am only 15 miles from where I started. However, I have visited some really nice little fishing villages and enjoyed some wonderful views. Leven is such a good place, the b+b was excellent and very reasonable, I slept soundly after a lovely evening watching the sunset from the beach and chatting to a fellow guest whilst watching football. This chap is 76 and is just recovering from having a second hip replacement and is hoping to get back to playing golf as soon as he can. Leven has two golf courses next to each other and some seriouly good parks with sensory gardens and woodland walks. The fishing villages were all fairly similar but Elie stood out as the prettiest and most interesting with a fine harbour and views of the firth towards Edinburgh and the Bass rock. Pittemweem (deserted), Anstruther (big and busy) and Crail (sleepy) were all fine but Elie won my heart. The day started fine but got steadily cloudier and eventually rainy until late evening by which time I had made it to Cupar along gentle quiet roads aided by the best mile stones ever (see pic). Cupar is distinctly average but I did find a nice pub for dinner and Tesco for some breakfast supplies as I am 'wild' camping in a wood tonight. Tomorrow to Falkland Palace and Perth. Good night.

Days 55 and 56. Peebles and Leven. My journey north was sunny and rapid, with brief stops in Moffat for an ice cream and the Devil's beef tub to admire the view I was in Peebles in good time to have wander round this very fine border town before going to the home of my oldest friends for a good meal, good conversation and a good night's rest. This morning I cheated having decided the road from Peebles to Edinburgh is not safe to cycle down I got a lift with my host to Edinburgh from where I cycled along the south side of the Firth of Forth, over the Forth bridge then along the north side of the Firth passing through Aberdour and Kirkcaldy to reach Leven at 2.30. Leven is a delightful little seaside town that has seen better days but has the most magnificent beach, excellent leisure centre (where I went for a swim and some lovely countryside. I have no wifi so will end here before I use up all my credit. Good night. Pics of Devil's beef tub, view from b+b and sunset across Leven beach.

Days 52, 53 and 54. Home. Saturday I went to Sheffield with James and Oliver, met up with a niece and nephew and we all went to watch the Wednesday play their last match of the season against what turned out to be rather dispirited Middlesborough. It was a rather tedious game with only brief flurries of excitement and Wednesday won 2 - 0 although it could have been 4. After the game we had a pizza feast to celebrate before heading home safe in the knowledge that Wednesday will be still in the championship next season. On Sunday I had the great privilege of attending a talk from a 90 year old lady who had worked in China during the time of the communist take over of the country. Later I called in at work to see how everyone there is before settingoff on part two of my cycle-odyssey. Today I have been over to Lancaster and had a bike ride with Ruth to the Golden Ball pub on the banks of the Lune for lunch the food and service were average but the setting is mighty fine, afterwards we carried on out to Sunderland point on a sparkling sunny afternoon, a lovely day. Tomorrow, I head north despite the poor weather forecast. Good night. Sunderland point and a happy Hillsborough.

Days 50 and 51. Home. Went to Blackburn yesterday for reasons I may reveal at a future date (ooo mystery).I took a pic of the sunny river Ribble at Sawley, see below. Today my middle son, Laurie, got temporarily stranded in Mexico City en route from Lima to Los Angeles so some moments of anxiety and hasty sending of funds! He has now made it to LA but onward flight to Shanghai delayed, the trials and tribulations of the jet set life are not for me. Bike not plane for me. Had lunch with my good friend J today, lovely food and chat with a chance to show off my 300 pics of my trip so far. Tomorrow to Sheffield to cheer on the Wednesday in their battle to avoid relegation. Council elections yesterday, UKIP did well, deep despairing sigh of disappointment. Good night.

Days 46, 47, 48 and 49 Home. I came home for a rest and to sort out some things before going north. The resting part of this plan is going fine, unfortunately rest is degenerating into slothful inactivity. However, James and I gathered out remaining strength to mount an expedition to the summit of Black Combe. This is a much neglected peak on the extreme south western edge of the Lake District. The hill is not very high (600 metres), itdoes not overlook any of the lakes and is a long way from anywhere. We had the hill to ourselves on the most glorious afternoon with clear blue skies and a cool wind. The first part was quite steep as we tacked up the western flank but once on the ridge the path was clear and the ascent gradual. On the way up the views over the Irish sea were fantastic with the Isle of Man and Snowdonia visible to the west and south west, as we gained height the view north to St Bee's Head, the Solway Firth and the hill of Galloway came into view and the view south to Barrow and Walney Island developed. Only when we reached the summit did the view east appear with the Coniston and Scafell ranges spread out and bathed in sunshine revealed in all their glory. We had 360 degree vista with something of interest in every direction, it was truly breathtaking perhaps one of the best views in Britain. I had long suspected this would be one of the most rewarding walks and have waited a long time for the weather and opportunity to find out. It exceeded my expectations and to have the place to ourselves made me feel very privileged. Today I have been busy waterproofing tent, shoes and outer garments and getting new poles for the tent. I am planning to go north next Tuesday, watch this space. Good night. Pics of view east and summit of Black Combe, wind blown tree at base of the hill and view north to Ravenglass, Sellafield and St Bees.