Colin and George, who had spent the night at the youth hostel, failed to show up for the 9:30 ferry, but since they were nearly home anyway we left them to their own devices and crossed from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay. On the top deck, Howard and I met a couple who said they'd seen a porpoise on the journey over, so we all kept our eyes peeled. I was delighted to be the one who spotted a gleaming fin at one o'clock, and we watched the round, wet back undulate through the waves before vanishing under the boat.
Back on dry land we tacked across country towards Douglas and the motorway, with a slight delay when Howard decided to demonstrate the proper method of overtaking, and vanished at some speed in the direction of Edinburgh just before we were due to turn off up a side road.
Lunch in Moffat, home of Moffat toffee (so that's my officemates sorted), then an hour of motorway into the Lake District for the last of the scenic roads and a final ice cream. Shortly afterwards we parted company, Howard and I hammering east along the Tour de France starting route to spend the night with his brother in Leeds. We had a leisurely morning on Thursday, for a change, and were fed sausage sandwiches before departing for the A1 and our respective homes.
My trip meter said the total mileage was 37.5, which seems unlikely, so I assume it rolled over when it hit 1000. Add on another 300 or so because I forgot to set it until we left Dave's on the Sunday. Phew.
Ice cream of the day: Thunder & Lightning (cinder toffee and chocolate) in Keswick.
