There's nothing like successfully completing a day of serious cycling to put one in a celebratory mood - especially when you find yourself in Scotland's Hotel of the Year, gathered around the friendliest little bar north of Glasgow, with a fire just a-cracklin' away, and the rain STILL pouring down (but you're no longer in it!). And knowing that by noon the next day the horse-drawn carriage will turn back into a pumpkin (or worse yet, an airplane) just adds a little extra incentive!

Following a few drinks and a sumptuous dinner, Herb displayed his incredible talents as MC of an awards presentation honouring the unique contributions and achievements of each person in the group. Suffice it to say it was a great evening, and a fitting end to another cycling tour with a great group of people and two extraordinary "facilitators".

The next morning it was back to Glasgow airport (via Loch Lomond) and from there either back home or on to other destinations (mine was Glasgow).

To my fellow cyclists - thank you. It was fun riding with each of you. And perhaps as you think of our week together you too will share the feeling evoked by Robbie Burns in the last verse of (yes!) Auld Lang Syne:

And surely ye'll be your pint stoup
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.