There were four more casualties of the dreaded sickness bug during the night, namely Daniel, Philip and the two Andrews. We later found out that we had picked up a viral gastro-enteritis, which is particularly contagious but whose symptoms are relatively short lived. At least the latest casualties were able to enjoy the view of Perth’s lights from the hostel window as they lay on their bunks.

Fortunately the journey home was entirely by train. After an excellent breakfast the members of the group made their various ways to the station according to their state of health. The early train to Glasgow was not particularly well-endowed with cycle space but we managed to squeeze the bike in with the usual finesse, arriving at Glasgow with sufficient time to purchase some goodies from the local shops for lunch before hopping onto the 10.40 southbound train at Queen Street station.

Poor Andy B and Daniel: they were still very ill and did not feel particularly photogenic as the group dashed off the train at Carlisle for some group photographs. A kind traveller had agreed to do the honours with Michael J’s camera despite having had to share a carriage with us for several hours!

And so the time came when we had to say goodbye to our friends as they disembarked at their respective stations. When a group of cyclists have shared so many adventures together it is a sad occasion when they have to break up. But they can look forward to the next action-packed romp across the British countryside which is likely to take place quite soon.

Readers may be amused by one last incident which occurred at Exeter station. Andrew B needed to phone his parents in order to arrange a lift home from Newton Abbot. His frantic efforts to find a telephone on the platform ended with the discovery of a telephone box which could take no money. As he dashed back to the train he saw that Michael J had found a similar box and arranged a reverse-charged call for him. The number was ringing as he arrived, and the person answered just after he had taken the receiver. Michael returned to the train feeling pleased that he had solved Andrew’s problem.

When Andrew returned to the train however, he was not at all happy and wanted to know what Michael had been playing at. When Michael had run off he had found himself speaking to some strange woman who was as surprised as he was at the reason for the call. In his haste Michael had asked for an 86-type Dawlish number instead of an 83-type Bovey Tracey number!