Day 8

Accomodation;   New Inn Lodge
www.newinglodge.co.uk

Checking over the days route at breakfast I thought that I had miscalculated the distance. I had planned on
around 70 miles per day, but the distance seemed closer to 50. Then I remembered that tonight we stayed at Shap, a 15 mile climb out of Kendal and surely that would slow us down.In fact, that proved not to be the case, but I get ahead of myself.

First the cake shot. I have not included one for a few days lest it be thought that an excess cakes were being consumed but it was a particularly nice cake and and should be shared

A very welcome stopped and chance to dry out

It was our first stop at 20 miles after passing through Lancaster and cycling through a steady mizzilly rain and low cloud. We were pretty sodden when the welcome sight of a cafe by a fishing lake hoved into view. We had been following a national cycle route through quiet bye  lanes just to the east of the M6 and continued this way after coffee.

Start of the Shap climb

We eventually joined the A65 for the last few miles into Kendal,  arriving around 1pm. In anticipation of the coming climb we retired to the Partners Tea Rooms in the high street for a pot of tea to summon our strength.  Our confidence took a futher knock when the waitress offered the opinion that Shap was "meant for riding down, not up...'

Keep going

We decided that the best strategy was to take the climb at our own individual  pace and agreed not worry if we got separated, but just to meet up at Shap.

In fact, the climb was an absolute delight. Yes, its long, but not so steep as to upset a steady pedal rhythm and as anyone who has visited the Lakes will  know, come rain or shine they never look anything less than stunning.

Top of the climb

I stopped to take a number of pictures so Steve arrived well  ahead of me and I eventually caught up with him by a hotel in Shap.

He looked worried. The hotel was having its septic tanks drained and the smell was appalling and apparently the landlady had a face to match.    Fortunately we were booked into the New Inn Lodge at the other end of Shap which is very comfortable with a pleasant bohemian atmosphere. Check it out at www.newinglodge.co.uk

We have  spent most of the evening exchanging experiences with walkers doing the Coast to coast walk in front of a cosy wood burner that provided a welcome warmth in the still unsettled weather.

Breakfast booked for 7.30 tomorrow for a prompt start that will see us finally cross into Scotland.

Accomodation;   New Inn Lodge

www.newinglodge.co.uk