LEJOG Miles Today - 110
Bolton Le Sands - Kendal - Shap - Penrith - Carlisle - Longtown - Gretna Green - Dumfries - Auldgirth
Apologies to our followers no blog until today - no signal at our previous campsite and too tired to go anywhere else. PLEASE post us some comments - it's great to hear from you all & keeps us going!
Day of mixed fortunes today. Didn't start too well as Sarah & I had been awake since 2 AM due to the howling gale blowing in off the bay threatening to turn our tent into a 2-man parachute all night! We rolled out of bed in the same winds & heavy rain, and eventually decided that we'd carry on - based on the fact that however far we got we would be preferable to another night where we were! Amazingly, 20 minutes down the road, the wind dropped & the rain stopped and we even had some sunshine! Lovely long climb up the A6 onto the summit of Shap where we met Kit & Linda (Steve's Aunt & Uncle #1) for coffe. AND WE"D REACHED HALFWAY!!!!!! Fantastic views over the lakes & looking forward to the downhill run to Penrith. Sadly, we were introduced to the misery of having to pedal DOWNHILL, due to the 40 MPH headwind we encountered as soon as we left the summit. This was to stay with us for the rest of the day - joy! Short break by the roadside to meet Bill & Mary (Steve's Aunt & Uncle #2) and then on to Carlisle where we met Steve's parents, brother, niece & nephew for lunch. Really draining having to pedal down the hills aswell as up them & sapped what little energy we had left all the way to the end. Fuelled by jelly babies & Diana's fruitcake we finally reached our target at Auldgirth. Gorgeous little campsite in a small glen. Time to catch up on sleep serenaded by the local owl!!
Good to see you, even if you were battling against that north wind up the A6. Looks like the wind may be in your favour from here on. Nice that fellow campers have been kind enough to donate to the air ambulance. J&J
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