lejogginaharris

Day 18, to Glasgow

We regretfully left the Days Inn with its hot baths and yards of shelving on which to arrange our things, and who even welcomed our bikes inside. I now encountered another cyclist with a loaded bike – very heavily loaded.

Day 17, to Abington

There was a huge cooked breakfast waiting for us in Amanda’s Kitchen (at Broadlea of Rob Gill bed and breakfast, where I stayed last night.) It was an amazing spread, including the usual bacon and eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes etc., but haggis and black pudding were also on offer for the more adventurous diner. There was no square sausage.

Day 16, to Kirtlebridge

I have arrived in Scotland, which is my most exciting landmark to reach (so far).

Day 15, to Penrith

We had a lovely breakfast with fruit yoghurt and other delights and then off, in trepidation, to get over Shap Fell – which is over 1,500ft of ascent, so whenever I gained height it was dismaying to have to go downhill again.

Day 14, to Kendal

I’m slowly advancing north and it’s so interesting to hear the music of the english language ever changing as it evolves from West Country through The Midlands, Lancashire and the north before turning into Scots – perhaps that’s the way that a new language is born.

Unlucky Day 13, to Bilsborrow

Off to a daunting start as we crossed a busy roundabout over the motorway to Birmingham. Away from all that, we began to cross Warrington, where the rain started to fall heavily. Our planned distance today was a bit longer, so both of us were keen to do a little more of the journey on A roads (and especially since most of them had cycle paths).

Day 12, nearly to Warrington

Last night was memorable, I stayed at the Tudor House Hotel in Market Drayton. It is a perfectly restored Tudor building – you can even see the wattle and daub walls through a glass panel. Best of all, my bike had a safe place indoors and in my pretty bedroom there were lots of delicious shortbreads to snack on. It’s run by Katie Stevens, a super woman who manages to run the place single handed. If you are going to Market Drayton don’t miss this place!

Day 11, to Market Drayton

The YHA hostel at Coalport is in a lovely old building, an old cider factory which is opposite an old china factory (now a museum). The china factory building has a kiln reminiscent of a Kentish Oast House. I was so exhausted, cold and tired last night that I didn’t notice how nice it was and it was difficult to update my blog, what with a lack of Wifi or cellular data signal.

Day 10, to Coalport

Yesterday Pascal was contacted by Dan Brothwell of Bike Worcester, who also writes cycling articles in the Worcester News. I can’t resist the chance to get more publicity for Refuge and Women’s Aid, but I’m not sure how long a good cyclist will tolerate my slow riding pace.

Day 9, to Worcester

This will be an easy ride, I thought to myself. I know the area. On the other hand though, I resolved to put my trust in Garmin today. But as I approach the long, easy, descent into Cheltenham I was disconcerted to be redirected – sidelined – up and over Leckhampton hill.