I chose the "follow my satnav" option on Friday and of course it insisted that I go play with the traffic on the M25 first of all. I quickly became bored with that and used the M4 to head west. Of course that decision also meant that I got to enjoy about 150 miles of filtering as far as Stafford services on the M6, still being "upgraded" to smart motorway. 28c while filtering eventually gave way to 18c and raining in Cumbria but, finally, Moffat and a relaxing, £3, pint.
On Saturday, having seen the forecast, and the multiple overhead signs warning of "heavy rain" I donned my rain suit before setting off. John and I had an enjoyable, dry, ride until we stopped for coffee before Fort William. Then the rain started. Despite that we had a very pleasant ride up to Eilean Donan where we were surprised to find the entire population of Germany gathered in the car park, all also wearing rain suits over their regular kit. What a turnout, well done IBA Germany. Spirited riding was called for. The highland roads are awesome and, although the A82 had a fair amount of tourist traffic, generally carrying only light traffic. 410 Scottish miles ended for me in Stirling with steak and ale pie helped by two pints of heavy and apple crumble.
On Sunday Dave Badcock and I met up at Jedburgh woollen mills for lunch and a chat. If like me you've avoided the A68 in the past because you needed the miles and a corner receipt at Berwick do give it a go, it's fabulous. We rode together for a few miles before he turned to head home and I carried on down to Darlington and the A1. I correctly anticipated getting wet in the midlands, upto "I wonder if I should have put my rain suit on" and even "I wonder if I should now put my rain suit on" but then the rain stopped and the skies cleared. Some filtering at the bottom of the M1, lots of filtering round the M25 and home by half past seven.