… and back again, for a weekend with Nick and Nick and James. Friday night’s arrival was a bit later than planned due to an extended stop at Tebay services waiting for an AA man. But after dinner we duly fell into the usual routine of chatting until far too late into the night, after a tour of chez Nick.

Unlike Friday, Saturday was a break from the usual routine in that we were meeting near St. John’s Town of Dalry, not in London as we have done since the year dot. That meant that instead of doing towny things (not my forte) we went for a walk (very much my forte).

We followed the Southern Upland Way over Waterside Hill (signing the summit log book) before heading back along Garroch Burn and over past the now apparently non-existent stepping stones over the Water of Ken. United by a common lack of knowledge about what a covenanter was, and fortified by a pub lunch, the rest of the day was passed in blissful laziness, some woodland wanderings, and more chatting rubbish.

On Sunday I grabbed an early start to run from the shore of Clatteringshaw Loch up to the Rocks of Laggan and on to Cairnsmore / Black Craig of Dee. It was a glorious sunny morning, and the first proper effort I’ve put in since Spine (and the first proper hill I’ve been up). The descent was rapid, with a sneaky line through a fire break in the trees onto a fire road, and I got back just in time to have hearty breakfast, say goodbye to half the group, and join Nick on Loch Ken for some Dragon Boating.

Everyone was very welcoming and didn’t seem to mind having a complete newbie on board, and I even enjoyed the bit where we headed straight for the only obstacle in the entire loch. After that all that remained was a gargantuan drive home, but well worth it for a fantastic weekend in great company. Roll on the next one!