Tea!

We left two pools of water where we had been sitting!

Shap abbey and B

At the top!

Half way up Shap

This is the phone box on Shap Fell which supposedly marks the halfway point for LeJog – on the shortest route – my half way point is nearer Gretna Green.

About to set off for Shap with B and Mary

Passed the halfway point!

What a day today! B and I cycled over Shap Fell in record time with the wind behind us as the drizzle drizzled. We cruised down the other side at 34 mph almost drafting the quarry lorries. Checked out Shap Abbey which was about a mile off the road. It was down a big hill so we just appreciated it from the gate. Apparently Shap is the biggest parish in England – according to my trusted source, Nick Tubbs. It was great cycling with B – he hasn’t been out on his bike since last August but he had no problems. I kept stopping to take photos so he did well not to crash into me. We stopped for fruit scone and brownie at Cafe 15 in Penrith – lovely cafe/gallery with photos of cyclists on the wall. On along the A6 into Carlisle – amazing straight wide road with gusty wind behind us meant that we were doing 25 mph hardly pedalling! Nice lunch in Rockliffe at the Crown and Thistle where there was a lovely landlady and a good view. Cruised into Gretna Green which seems to consists mainly of outlet shops and roundabouts – stopped for a photo at the Scotland sign and then battled with the wind and the rain into Annan. Lovely welcome at The Old Rectory on St John’s Road. A b & b with a therapy room – Tara does a fantastic no hands massage – a very wonderful experience! Check out her website at http://www.therapyroomannan.com – a great place to stop over if you are doing LeJOG.

Reunited with Mick who had stayed a bit longer with Mary and Peter before driving up the M6 to meet us. He had been to buy more chain lube and bike cleaner – what a star! 

 

 

Fio and B

3 set off for Shap

Fio’s brother B has come up from Suffolk on his classic Pinarello
to tackle Shap with Fio. Mary is guiding them as far as Kendal.

A solution to Micks knee problem?

I have been diagnosed with Saphenous neuralgia – there’s something to google. I can’t go more than a few pedal strokes without it flaring up into pain – so here’s an alternative – mick

A ride in Peter’s Morgan

Mick and Peter spent the afternoon out and about in the Morgan visiting a Motor Museum and Brewery. They came back with big smiles on their faces so that was good! Brother B arrived this evening to join me riding up and over Shap Fell and through Gretna Green into Scotland. Forecast blustery southerly winds and some precipitation so we have our coats ready!

Oh by the way I have done 473 miles in total so far and 47 today with Mary!

I am fully relaxed after enjoying a sports massage in Kendal – thanks to Mary and Peter for a great 50th birthday present!