Matt are you a member of the fellclub by any chance.i am but only managed to get to one meet at watlington i enjoyed it no end great craic.might not be your idea of touring but it ticks a lot of boxes for me.
i don't like solo touring much rather have company, but finding the perfect touring partener, huh thats another story.
i like taking things handy on a tour smelling the roses and all that,for me good weather is number one i get enough crap weather here
..yeah 60 years old meself but to be honest when i put the efford in i feel like a kid again.with a bit of good luck i'll get another good bike for next year and i'll hit the roads of ireland solo this time ,plan nothing just go for it see what happens.
love to get back to spain but wouldn't chance it on my todd beautyfull country but a lot of hills.
don't give up the ghost matt we are still young at heart thats all that matters.
have a super christmas stay safe.
anto.