....into Scotland

Mikes: 106 (586 total)
Punctures: 0
Counties: 2
Countries :1

Left Kendal and the lovely Riversleigh Guest House (thanks Pam for the kind donation) at 7.30.

Gentle 4-5 miles out of Kendal and saw the sign 'Shap 8' - sadly, much of it proved to be vertical. A bit ofa slog, but we made it thanks to ample shade & fresh legs, and blatant contempt of my every atom shouting "stop, fat boy". Stunning morning and the view from the top marred only by Nick & I trying not to cough our lungs up.

Shap is about halfway, so it's a very important milestone. Also, it's about the toughest climb on our route. We rolled down into Penrith where we couldn't find a branch of 'Lungs R Us' so made for Morrisons café.
As Nick said, the coffee & bacon roll was great but if he wanted to be somewhere with the chairs bolted to the floor he could always get himself sectioned.

Through Carlisle & Longtown and into Scotland. We'd hoped to find a bakery or pub for lunch. Nothing to hand, we were forced into the twee hell of Gretna - ecch!
A pricy sandwich while aurally assailed by 'diddly di' music. The Samaritans should have a booth there.

Generally our kit has been bearing up well, but in the last two days our equipment has developed NVH trauma of the offside canus flange. Need to get that sorted.

Made 50 miles into Scotland along the broad & largely traffic-free A74. After a 7 mile climb from Moffat we needed to find somewhere to sleep - anywhere. So, here we are in Crawford - home of Dr Who central casting. Don't try looking on a map as I'm sure it doesn't exist.

Tomorrow off to Glasgow where we hope to meet Charlie, & thence Loch Lomond.

My bum hurts.