1. The dogs and cats all come to the door to say goodbye.

2. The Borders, Northumberland through Kielder Forest & beyond, County Durham then Yorkshire — it’s all very beautiful and, after Durham, looks its best in the bright sunshine.

2b. All the people in canoes & kayaks on the river, waiting for the start of a race. We watch with interest.

2c. The dog wants the pasty but the dog is not allowed the pasty. The dog forgets this and a second later asks for the pasty again.

2d. Google maps told us that Durham was exactly the halfway point on our journey – 1hr 44 minutes from our B&B, and 1hr 44 minutes from our home. When we get back into the car after our tea & wee break, we see it’s exactly 1hr 44 minutes since we arrived at the car park.

3. A lovely evening: showers in our own shower & a transit into pyjamas, a light supper which we make together, cats to cuddle, popcorn to eat and a new episode of Game of Thrones to watch cuddled up together on the sofa. Marvellous.