Abington today, taking the route over the hills to Roberton, then on to Wandel. It's a cracking stretch, along sometimes unfenced roads from which you can see lonely hill farms. Home via NCR74. The headwind that had sapped me on the way out repaid its debt as I headed home.

Cycled to pick up some walking sticks we'd left in a Glasgow eatery, getting the train back to Wishaw where I visited my aunt. I then rode home. Fortunately it's not far, as my stick mounting solution required a wide-knee riding style beloved of policemen in Ealing comedies.

When we weren't on placement, the workload during my teacher training year was low compared with my final year of university physics. The Pentland Hills became my playground. In my first couple of years of teaching, they were my escape. Back today for some gravel bike fun.

A new member added to the fleet today. It's a secondhand Dawes Kara Kum tourer which has apparently been all over Europe. I've still to refit the butterfly handlebars. I was so excited about the first ride that I made a bit of a footwear error...

Experimenting with butterfly bars...

Last "I've got a new bike picture". Here it is, out on the back roads. Think it's going to be a very versatile machine.

Cannot praise @wishawgen audiologists and NHS Lanarkshire audiology services highly enough. They fixed my hearing aid in jig time and I took the scenic route home via Lost Houses of the Clyde Valley, the woods and Dalserf Church.

Bike in the boot of the car to the Norton House Hotel. I did not take the most direct route home as I fancied riding along the canal towpath, taking in the Colinton tunnel with its lines and scenes from Stevenson's 'From a railway carriage' scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/railway-c…

Today's treat at Loanhead Farm tea room...

Bit of a niche public service announcement. Cyclists in Clydesdale - the long, deep puddle on the back road to Carnwath by the White Loch has almost dried up.

My consultancy contract ended a couple of months ago and today there was a wee presentation for me. I'm very happy in this new phase of my life, but will never forget the privilege of working for SSERC in the company of so many capable, creative people.

Big thank you to Lisa at Livingston Halfords for quickly sorting out an issue (pretty much of my own making) with some cycling shoes I bought.

.Halfords - this seems to be someone pretending to be you in order to scam.

Loanhead Tearoom- particularly nice today as the weather was ideal for having coffee and cake outside. The tearoom is open on Weds, Fris and Sats between noon and 2.30 pm. If you're in the Auchengray/Tarbrax area, it's well worth a visit. #1 cycle fuel stop in the area.