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.