We awoke to the sound of - nothing! The forecast from Thursday onwards had been one of armageddeon on Sunday; we'd spoken to people Friday and Saturday who were cramming their days full in anticipation of a downpour. But on Saturday night, her brother had imparted the news that actually it was to be a decent day. We'd already resigned oursleves to a soggy march to Northallerton to catch the train in the late afternoon and had toyed with the idea of short cuts and time saving so as to not be out in the rain too long. But no.

After presenting her with a birthday card (the pressies were already administered as she needed them for the walk), we were up and away by 0830 and after a stop in Brompton on Swale, the sun broke out. With the low roar of the A1(M) receding, we settled into pastoral flat lands; sunshine, slow moving streams, churches with yew and ivy, languid sheep and lazy cows. We'd already agreed to exit the C2C route early - instead of following it to Danby Wiske, we cut a more direct route to Northallerton, largely along roads which was tedious but saved on the miles. So after Kiplin (an exceedingly good village) we trekked across the final bit of (relative) wilderness and then followed the by now very familar B6127 for the final 5 miles of the day to the station. Oh how the blisters kicked in at this point. Under my big toe and also the end of my little toe both on the right foot. The final drag through Romanby and it's village green were painful. But as we came under the railway bridge and saw the station, the spirits were raised. 

We were well ahead of our train, so popped into town, visited Tesco for a birthday picnic for the train and after a quick bite to eat, we retired to the Station Hotel for liquid intake and await our train.

Duly we boarded a crowded VIrgin LNER bound for Embra and after Newcastle had the 4 seats to ourselves to pick over the 55 miles and endless views and encounters and experiences. We sipped drinks as the sun did amazing things over the Northumbrian coast and then the E Lothian coast and it finally set over the burgh as we rolled into town. 

I chummed her home and then freewheeled home downhill and into a hot bath and just because it didn't cost £4.50 had beans on toast. 

Dear reader, you will not be surprised to learn I was unable to stay awake for Match of the Day 2.

Mad though it may seem, she had the best birthday weekend. 

We reverted to 'CMC in the midfield enforcer role' formation for the final day