The last week or so has been a bit gruesome so it was a nice change to go to Inverness to buy the Xandman a suit for his end of term Leavers evening (junior prom would it be in American?) It was Sunday and the little city was very quiet which isn't good for the tradespeople of course but it was nice for us. We found him a really smart black number in the men's outfitters, then a white shirt, cuff links and purple tie to go with it. Though professing to be above such unmanly pursuits he quite obviously loved it. Some of the boys, judging by their Facebook comments are really getting into it with talk of cream tux - oh per-lease - but he did bring a bit of a tear to the eye looking so grown up and all. I haven't managed to get a photo yet... When I asked if he had a girlfriend he should order one of those wrist corsages for he came over all shifty and blushed...

This week the timetable for him is much more rugged. The expedition for this year is a hike to Cape Wrath, the most north- westerly part of the British Isles. It looks terrifyingly bleak with the highest cliffs (in the B Isle) and much of the land is owned by the military who use it to play around with 'heavy ordinance ' so I hope they haven't left any of it lying about. The lucky hikers will cover 11 miles in 2 days which doesn't sound much but they are all carrying 63 kilo rucksacks on their backs and on packing day when some of them loaded up they fell over! There is one tiny girl whose pack must be as big as her. Our young man is in the top group who will walk the full distance ( we breed them big and tough) but others will be left a little closer to the target. They have to take everything with them, tents trangis tinned food, because there is nothing but birds and heather and midges. They are not allowed to take toilet paper but must use moss. When they get to the most north-westerly point they pitch camp for a night then turn round and make their way back.

I am so glad I didn't get sent to this school!