At the end of the Pennine Way I had completed over 1500 miles of my marathon and the legs were feeling a little heavy. Perhaps the heavy going had begun to take its toll or maybe I was feeling sympathy for our Olympic athlete! Who knows? It would be another week before I reached the West Highland Way, through the Scottish lowlands, following the River Tweed and seeing a number of Herons along the way. The walking was a mixture of good paths, non-existent paths and old railways, now part of the National Cycle Network, and canal towpaths.

It was during this time that I was asked the most amusing question so far. Having camped in a field by a track leading to a popular fishing spot, I was woken at about 6 a.m. by a group of three heading home. One was very interested in what I was up to. I peered out of my tent to be greeted by a young fella, can of Tennants in hand, pupils the size of saucers, with 1001 questions, but without the time to ask them all or listen to the answers. It was his 8th or 9th - Are ye on the run ? I assured him I was just walking and he left me to it. Not wanting another visit I headed off by 7.30 and was soon passing through Cumbernauld. Not much to say about the place except that I had probably now seen the worst place on my travels. Never to return. (cont.)