Ben E King

Or Ben Chonzie, more likely.

The Sunday Occasionals were out again; after a messed up RV due to run related road closures, we finally hit the road and were at the end of Glen Lednock for 11. Forecast had been poor; but dappled sunlight as we departed.

It's a fairly straightforward hill; a land rover track up to nearly 3000 feet and then its a line of fence posts to the summit. No rock bits or steep drops.

And I'd noticed this before that we all tend to break into ever shifting groups; at some point pairs, and others threes, so you get time on your own, time as 1-1, time as a 4 and various 3 combos too. So lots of chat with all the participants (Barry's chat about internet speeds notwithstanding)

We hit the cloudy summit plateau and donned jackets for the cooler trudge to the top and then broke out the soups at the top (I had sweet potato chilli and lime, S had leek potato with added blue cheese - a nice twist!)

As we sat and had lunch, without warning the cloud lifted and we had views! Nice wee bonus.

A happy endorphin fuelled descent and we then stopped off at my parents house en route home. Partly some wanted to see the garden I'd talked about, but a strong need to introduce S to the parents. As part of a group and for a quick half hour of tea and cakes was a good way to do it. Low key, non confrontational, relaxed situation. No pressure on anyone.

Hilarious moment though - Barry bounded up to my mother first to shake her hand; she's barely looking at him as she looks at N and S and tries to work out which one is which...! And then Paw did exactly the same!

So no one died (again), they can see she is flesh and blood, that she can speak, doesn't eat babies, isn't a witch with horns growing out of her head.

And whilst they still seem massively uncomfortable for now, they accepted she was there and hopefully they continue to look forward at what lies ahead, not keep mulling over the mess of last year.

Bath, dinner, quiet evening in. We chatted a bit but mostly tired....