Its Monday and I am up, showered and ready to hit the road by 9:30. I’m going to York to see my mentor and friend for lunch and a talk. The journey is good on my new tyres and I make good enough time to stop for a coffee and pastry. I’m pleased that I managed the journey without wine gums but annoyed that I succumbed to the pastry. Lunch is out in town and is a welcome change. We eat and talk, especially about the current situation in Afghanistan as my friend has a connection to the ongoing crisis and the difficulties of getting people out of there. The good news is that by the end of the afternoon she knows that the people concerned are inside the movement centre and in Kabul airport. With luck they will be out soon. We return to her house to continue our conversation until it is time for me to go and for her to go and ride. I am honoured that he dog likes me and chooses to sit with .

I get to my hotel to find the restaurant is not open tonight so make a reservation for a nearby pub and then head for the bar for a drink and to start todays blog. I intend to sleep well tonight and have a late breakfast tomorrow.