Hi folks
I've just received an sd card from Roy, but as usual, no clues as to where any of the photos are, so we'll just have to guess.
He has gone west at speed, mainly because there's not much point hanging about in the rain! His boots are causing concern because of the problems of being permanently wet, leading to an increased danger of blisters. Also, occasionally a campsite owner or farmer's wife has taken the boots away to dry, but is suspected of drying them too fast, leading to cracking etc. Roy suspects that they are actually leaking now, but doesn't want to buy new ones this trip. He's talked to a cyclist who has recommended "sealskinz" socks which claim to be completely waterproof. I've ordered a pair for Roy to try, so he may end up being the only person to attempt the Scottish Highlands in leaky boots but waterproof socks! On the bright side, he is very pleased with his tent.

He insists that I show you that when he can buy fresh food (eg broccoli) he eats very well, even if it does all have to be cooked and eaten from one pan!

Roy came across this post, and explanation, along his Southern Upland Way route.

Roy's route has taken him through Jedburgh (maybe this is Jedburgh Castle??), Traquair, Tibbie Shiels (highest inn in Scotland), Beattock, Brattleburn (good bothy), Wanlockhead (youth hostel)and Sanquhar. With his love of trees, he obviously thought this one was worth a photo.

From Sanquhar, there was a bit of a change of plan. The Southern Upland Way (and Roy's planned route) heads south, then west then north in three sides of a square. Roy, after several days of continuous rain, decided he wasn't keen on this plan, so asked me to look for a route straight across. Well, the only possibility was forty miles of wriggley forestry tracks - not a good idea. The only possibility, that is, except for a short bus ride. So, in the interests of expediency, the bus won. After five or six weeks delay for medical reasons in Macclesfield, Roy was anxious to get up into the Scottish Highlands ASAP rather than get "bogged down" in the border regions. So, he is now on Arran. Having climbed Goat Fell, he will spend tonight with friends Joe and Linda who live on Arran and will hopefully let him have a shower and wash his socks. Then tomorrow he sets off on the ferry from Lochranza to Kintyre.