So... The first thing to mention is the wind last night! It was pretty breezy when I went to bed, but I was woken up at about 3am by a hurricane! Well, probably not, but it felt and sounded like it. Certainly the strongest wind I've ever camped in.

I didn't get anymore sleep, so just got up about 5 and slowly packed up. What I was worried about was taking my tent down. Releasing the tension on all the anchor points was going to put the main pole under a lot of stress in the wind. I was quick and it was fine.

I was very pleased with how my tent coped. I wasn't sure about this new tent, but I'm warming to it. It might not be the quickest to pitch, but it is incredibly stable and can take whatever weather gets thrown at it.

Anyway, I set off around quarter to seven. I made my way onto the High Peaks trail. Or the Tissington trail..... Or maybe it turns into the Tissington trail further on. Not sure... All I know is that I had the best part of 20 miles of ever so slightly downhill old railway line. It was glorious!

I was freezing cold to start with so layered up accordingly. It took a long time for my core temperature to get back up to normal!

I rolled into Ashbourne just before 9 and got my usual co-op breakfast.

I had the choice to continue following route 68 to Derby, or cut across country. My final destination was just beyond Nottingham. I decided to just follow the NCN route. I'm glad I did as it took me along deserted country lanes and another excellent stretch of old railway towards Derby. Then it was through Derby and on to Nottingham. The first part was along the river and I'd hoped it might just follow it all the way, but it didn't. It was fine though.

Eventually I got through Nottingham and out the other side to the campsite I had my eye on. It's a C&C site and they have a washing machine, so washing went on straight away!

Then it was off to the nearby pub for some dinner. I had a burger which was ok, but not up to the quality of the other pubs I've been to. I didn't bother with anything else, I just went back to my tent and made my own dessert! Well, coffee and some chocolate.

The weather finally looks to be settled again which will be good for getting my washing dry tomorrow. I'll hang it off the back of the bike...

My destination is Wing Hall. I've already booked a pitch, so no stressing about availability what with it being the weekend...