Motorway services

A 'wee' stop. Strange to cycle to a motorway services...

Bike checks

Those lovely boys get up early to do their chores. Spotted them outside our window just now checking that our bikes are ok. They really are amazing...

Day 9. Keswick to Moffatt.

In Scotland! 72 miles today and total miles 620. Over two thirds of the way and only five days cycling to go (boo hoo...!)

Climbed out of Keswick, mostly up for about 15 miles. Had gear problems and my chain came off. Managed to get it back on and ride on with some gears jumping. Made it to the top using only a few gears as was really struggling to change gear by then. Sight of the brew van at the top cheered us up as always, and the lovely Steve soon had me sorted. Gear cable was loose.

Cycled through Carlisle and past the castle then on to Gretna for lunch. The sign for Scotland caused a hold up while everyone had to have their photo taken in front of it. What a load of tourists...

This afternoon's cycling was on a road alongside the M74 and the surface was terrible. Had pins and needles in my hands and arms most of the afternoon from the jarring. It also started raining and we'd been dawdling along so serves us right for getting wet. If we'd got a wiggle on we'd have got to the B&B before the rain...

Ate at the Star hotel in Moffatt. Famous for being the narrowest hotel in the world.

Day 8. Slaidburn to Keswick

71 miles today, cumulative total 547. Feeling really proud of ourselves. Day started hilly with final ascent up to over 400m at the Cross of Greet. Every up must be followed by a down so we were rewarded with a 40 mph descent. Still aspire to 50 but may have to wait for a scottish descent for that.

Started cool and blowy up on the top (van waiting with a brew for us) but sun was shining by the time we got to Kendal after a massive Sunday lunch. No one seemed keen to stop for mint cake so we moved on.

Passed Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere, before taking a lovely quiet road past Thirlmere to avoid the A591. Lovely decent into Keswick for YHA night. Very peaceful by the river.

Impromptu tea stop

Got 'pulled up' by a guest house owner yesterday offering to make us all a cup of tea! Gladly accepted! Thanks Martin of Banerigg guest house.

A signal at last

People have gone text mad. We have had no signal for a couple of days and suddenly all the missing texts are coming through. Everyone sat at lunch texting or blogging....

Half way!

At Crooklands Hotel near Kendal. Just over 500 miles done. Having a full Sunday lunch off the carvery. Chicken is eating turkey... Group photo taken at 500 miles attached. Think we will be asleep on the handlebars again this afternoon..