False start..

More to the point, no start. The boys woke to heavy wind and rain, which had been relentless all night. But when it came to setting off for the day, the engine wouldn't even turn over. Completely dead! Not ideal, but they were quick to get on to the hire company and the local friendly AA man was with them within the hour. Impressive I thought, considering how far they are from any proper towns.

By then it was lunchtime, so a homemade minestrone soup was enjoyed in the camp site restaurant, while the van sat ticking over outside.

Clearly their plans for the day had to be modified, but the weather wasn't very kind, so being in the motorhome was probably the best place to be. A couple of beach stops were squeezed into the daylight hours available on the 2 and a half hour drive, to their campsite at Scourie.

Jon cooked a chilli for their dinner. I suspect the weather is not good enough for any outdoor cooking or campfires, but so glad no-one is having to sleep in a tent! No doubt you will join me in hoping that no more mechanical hiccups beset the intrepid threesome, and they enjoy some finer weather on the winding, narrowing and more beautiful North West coast stretch, as they head south tomorrow.

I have had a day of catching up. Firstly a nice coffee and cake catchup with Andy's sister Cathy and friend Sarah (see extra). Then a trip to Van Hage with mum, after which we dropped in to Manda. After a cup of tea, we went back to mum's where we both spent nearly 3 hours gardening. Shrubs cut back and chipped. It doesn't look a whole lot different. Still more to do, but for another day. Green bin filled, and woodchips half filling a sack. Hopefully to be collected soon.

We later went to Cheshunt for the 50th anniversary celebrations of Turnford JUNIOR Youth Gymnastics Club. Somewhere we spent many hours as club members, between 1975 and 1977. Linda, our old coach, was the only person we recognised. Not sure if she really remembered us but she seemed pleased that we had made the effort. Now 80, she was only 30 when she started the club way back in 1973. I had a few certificates, a newspaper clipping and competition brochures which took her interest. We stayed a couple of hours, then home for pizza.

Heading to bed now. Home tomorrow via Melbourn for more family time.