In March I met up in Hull with some ex-Army buddies for a night of beer and reminiscing and, as Karon had a girlie party in Edinburgh a couple of weeks later, we thought we’d stay up there and do a bit of BCQ collecting (British Cycle Quest – 6 clues in most counties). From Hull we headed across country to the Lake District for a night in Cockermouth, then continued north to Ayrshire and we called in to see one of Karon’s Aunts. Then we took the ferry to the Isle of Arran and got the bike out the car for a loop of half of the island and a BCQ. On again to Kintyre and another bike ride and BCQ from Campbeltown.

On to Mull and we collected more BCQs. Then we took the ferry north, back onto the mainland and drove to Fort William, staying for a few days to explore. From there we headed to the isolated Loch Rannock for another BCQ. Then it was time to head for Edinburgh.