2009/06/14 - Day 9 - Kirkby Stephens to Ecclefechan - 74,5 miles in 7:06

A long day, but lovely riding along Eden Valley and into Scotland. Sunshine with one short shower. Usual eats of scones, soup and caramel slices.

Campsite briefing, Pennines on right, Lake District in distance on left. Undulating road but in the grand scheme of things, flat.

First stop at Langwathby at a cafe in old railway station called "Brief Encounter". It was just off the route and we had to do a little Uy as we went passed it. Cherry had a scone, I had a caramel slice, and tea.

The route continued the same scenery. A short shower, but since you don't know that till it ends, we togged up and I tried my "rain legs". They worked brilliantly, so much so that it stopped raining and I got very hot and sweaty so soon de-togged. Lunch was in the Eden Cafe at Wetherall, with friendly ladies and fennel, brocolli and orange soup, plus cake for Cherry and a mega maltesa chocolate slice for me. This trip may appear to be more about eating than cycling but thats because eating is the highlight of the day, the cycling is just a means to get between tea stops.
Playing tag with Martin, the ride flattened out more as we went through the Esk valley, overRiver Sark into Scotland! Over half way for the total, and only now into Scotland.

10 miles to go, headwind build up . After a short butt rest we trundled on to arrive at campsite for more tea, then to be taken across M74 to Fawlty Towers.

Hotel manager is Basil Mk2. He was very confused about our room as it had 3 beds in it and was also number 3, and we were only 2 people.
Lovely room though, till we looked down at the bathroom floor which had no carpet, bare old floorboard with the carpet grippers along the edge ready to puncture our feet. BA had said food was Ok, but service random so they picked us up to take us to a hotel next to the campsite for dinner, where we had sunday roast, lamb for me and turkey for Cherry and sticky toffee pudding. We scoffed the lot.

Plotted route for next day. Recommended one takes a right at Moffatt to Edinburgh, then back to Glasgow for 85 miles. Staying on the B road by the motorway is 70 miles, so we will be taking that. Less scenic but less miles. Hopefully as many tea rooms.