Day 7 Lancaster to Carlisle

Off at 0815 after a large cooked breakfast, we pedalled out on the S side of the river Lune to a sharp bend in the river, where there was an old stone bridge alongside a disused rail bridge. Then steeply up the other side to join the road to Kirkby Lonsdale, a rolling hilly scenic route with varying quality road surfaces. Early tea stop at KL where the café was more focussed on serving breakfasts and had not yet baked the scones. Down to the river where there was a fine old stone bridge, a group of young people about to set off on a canoe trip, and some romanies in caravans, both car and horse drawn.

Now followed a B road up hill and down dale,past Sedburgh, with some very steep hills. Began an intimate association with the M6, which we crossed, overlooked from on high, cycled alongside, and later our road went between the 2 separated carriageways.

We followed a very quiet lane by a wooded burn for a few miles, then we were out on the open moor, with only sheep for company. After our complex relationship with the M6 ended, we climbed up to our highest point before running down to Shap.

Lunch in Shap, where there were still many pubs, but no expected transport cafes, so we ate in a newish modern café. Thereafter we decided to abandon the planned hilly back road route, and opted for the easy gradients and smooth tarmac of the A6. Out of Shap there were magificient limestone pavements to our right. Apart from 2 incidents, this was all straightforward. 1. Was to follow the road sign directions in Penrith, which sent us round a hilly circuitous route to get 150m across the town centre - just get off your bike and walk thru. 2 Was a herd of c.400 Friesian cows crossing the road to the milking parlour. Otherwise it felt really weird cycling down this fast wide road, sometimes dual carriageway, with nary a car in sight.

So before long we were at the B&B haviing a hot bath, tea and cakes. Bikes sleep in the bedroom too. Dinner at the Chinese buffet.

Weather bright, sunny in pm, and blustery strong westerly wind.

Today day 7 = 72 miles
Ride time = 5hrs 58mins
Avg sp = 11.8 mph
Total = 544 miles
Today we passed the half way mark
Tomorrow we reach Scotland.