As of today, Monday 9th June, I am in the city of Carlisle,  Cumbria, in way northwest England. About 10 miles of walking from here is where I cross the border into Scotland.

The bicycle route I’m following has really suited me so far, and I expect that to continue. It’s usually quite easy to follow the map on my phone (except in built up urban areas where I often miss a turn because the streets are narrow, often not signed, and hardly ever parallel; or I’m just not paying attention).

The guidebook describing the route tells me there are only 434 miles left between here and John O’Groats. In 5 weeks I should be there.

Between now and then, I will also have to figure out what I’m doing and where I’m going afterward. More on that later.

For now, though, some stats. (I could have classified some nights incorrectly as I tallied them just now.)

Walking days since 16 April: 46
Non-walking days: 10

“Wild camping” nights: 23
Commercial campsite nights: 11
Hotel nights: 5
B&B nights: 4
Private home nights: 7
Church nights: 6

Those 6 church nights could also be counted as wild camping. I did them with and without permission. Some were outdoors on church property; one night some people from the church suggested I sleep in the nave; and I’ve  slept in church porches, some of which are open on one side, some behind a screen door or grill, and some inside solid doors.

I’m just glad to see the wild camping (we call it stealth camping in the US) is near half. And they tell me it’s easier to wild camp in Scotland. The laws are different from English laws on this.

There is way more open space in Scotland between towns. On the other hand, by sticking to roads and lanes, I should still go through settled areas (I’ll need to buy food). If I were roaming off the roads, who knows when I’d see buildings and people.

Things are going well. I’m thankful for your prayers, if you’re offering them. Or for your warm thoughts.

God bless you.