Good trip to the furthest reaches of known civilisation today, otherwise known as 'Micky's place'.
Took all back roads to keep out of the howling wind, it worked except for the exposed sections of Nottinghamshire's 'Dukeries', past the fields of bacon on the hoof. It was fine until a dark cloud loomed over, with very ragged edges. As soon as I saw it I thought, there will be some wind under there when it arrives...sure enough, it was howling, and emptied its load of water! A welcome mug of coffee was a restorative though, the pork pie even more so!
I left with a pair of tyres strapped on the back of the Xco, thanks for the use of the strap Micky.
Ran home again through different back lanes. Headed for Worksop and across the M1 to Chesterfield and then down through Bakewell and Ashbourne. Tyres stayed put on the pillion, and are now tucked up in the shed, away from the light until I turn the TKCs into slicks. Micky thinks they are already long shot, I think they are good for another couple of thousand miles! Soon have new rubber on the little bike thanks to Micky.