Today I woke up with definite head cold symptoms- I had a scratchy throat yesterday but put it down to a brisk cold wind early in the day. I decided to ride to Bannockburn – drop off my gear at the accommodation and go find a rat test.

When I got up to the accomodation they had rat tests in the drawer so I explained to my host that I felt mostly ok but a bit off and just wanted to rule out Covid.

Positive immediately- there were tears. Gutted but it explained why I had no lungs today (legs still worked fine). I have made the decision to pull out – I want to recover well and burying my lungs on the Nevis climb is just not worth it.

Andy is driving down to pick me up tomorrow and I will be resting up and dot watching. And the last 5 days are unfinished business.

On a positive note (pun intended) here’s some pics of the fabulous Lake Dunstan trail today.