I am finally through all of Scotland’s islands and crossing the country just got quicker. Or so I am finding. I have a break coming up in early September for a family holiday, so before then I am aiming to pack in a good number of maps. I should be in Whitby by the end of the month, which feels like proper progress. When I return it will be to the Isle of Man, and I still need to work out what happens after that. But I’ll be ready. I should have something like 6 weeks before my target of the end of October to get through the rest of the country, which is still more than half of the maps. There is plenty left. But I feel confident I can do that, and the equation certainly starts to look much simpler.
I have now completed Shetland, Orkney and ten coast to coast journeys. Below are details of the next two coast to coasts. That leaves fourteen more, spread across 110 maps. Which is about 8 maps per crossing, on average. The one I am doing now is seven maps wide. I will basically be crossing it in 3 days. At that rate of progress, what remains will be tight; but doable. I might have to do a few slightly longer days with less luggage. I’m OK with that. I might also have to start my days a little earlier from September, since the evenings are starting to get noticeably shorter!
So, the plan for the rest of August is:
Wed 24 August- Train from Edinburgh to Stranraer; cycle to most southerly point in Scotland, stay in Kirkcolm, Rhins of Galloway (map 82)
Thu 25 August – cycle from Kirkcolm to Kirkcudbright, stay in Kirkcudbright
Fri 26 August- cycle from Kirkcudbright to Halton Lea Gate
Sat 27 August – cycle from Halton Lea Gate to Sunderland (probably), stay in Cumbria
Sun 28 August – travel to Whitehaven, cycle Cumbrian coast
Mon 29 August – cycle to Motherby, stay with cousin Lex
Tue 30 August – cycle to Richmond (or nearby)
Wed 31 August – cycle to Whitby, stay in Whitby (map 94)
Thu 1 Sept – return home for family holiday
And then…
Tuesday 13 Sept – travel to Isle of Man (map 95)