I've made my decision. Accommodation has been booked at Bala Backpackers' Hostel. Train ticket has been booked to Morfa Mawddach (station chosen to minimise climbing on the cycle ride to Bala the day before the race). Wife has said her piece about "You must be crazy, still doing this at your age". [Note: of the 20 entries for Arenig Fawr so far, 8 are M/W60 or older, including a couple who were members of Cambridge University Orienteering Club at the same time as me, 40 years ago.]

My only worry now is the weather. It's getting hotter. You can protect yourself from rain and cold, but there isn't much you can do to shield yourself from the heat. And while there is plenty of water in that bog between Arenig Fawr and Moel Llyfnant, I don't fancy drinking it; I may just have to carry some.