I've had good info from you guys, including websites and suggestions so thanks.
I've tried the 'I enjoy your company' when asking him to consider going on the next trip (maybe Scotland Lochs with a bit of Glasgow to mix it up), and he appeared to be considering it for a brief moment. Perhaps I will grind him down haha
Looking at the websites linked, I think I've found a nearby gate on the Geograph website that Eyelet posted about (interesting site). There's maybe another fence crossing the path as I can see a post on the right side of the tree. Maybe it's just the contouring that led me to believe the path going straight ahead was leaning left. Oh well.
I'm going to spend some spare time brushing up navigational skills with the links here. I might also ask my son to pick a nearby train station and find a route to do for once things are closer to easing off.
Thanks again all. I'm off to read April's TR now, and how she made a mess of one.
I'm going to do more local walks using the Satmap. From what I remember, even though I had it with me with my route logged, I made the mistake of not having the rain cover with it so would only look at it very briefly, being worried the rain would damage it, and the same with my phone. I guess I got complacent and didn't study the map too much beforehand.