An eventful day.. hosted by Colin and Chrissie in Grange Over Sands at their House of Prayer. (A great couple with lots of God stories) got to pray with one of their neighbours and give her a trypraying book.
Colin dropped me back to Booth’s supermarket in Windermere (where I finished last time) I faffed about with equipment for a few minutes and then said good bye and headed for Ambleside in the hope of picking up a new coat. My current one seems to keep the wind off well but not the rain. (As I again found later). But it wasn’t to be so continued up over Dunmail raise the col between Ambleside and Keswick. Had an unfortunate detour due to a road being closed… which cost me an hour and plenty of bramble scratches!!
Once I’d doubled back I headed towards St John’s in the Vale and Mungrisedale (after stopping for butties with C and C. (Thanks Chrissie) I departed from them at Mungrisedale and headed for Carlisle.. I had a cheeky look at my km’s left to do… and immediately wished i hadnt!!! Then had an unfortunate incident with my lwft pannier that jumped off the pannier rack as i was going downhill at speed… it hit the floor the bounced as if a childs toy some 12-15 times. Hit a farm gate that promptly flew open.. it was like an episode of chicken run.
I thought someone had moved Carlisle at one point as the distance didn’t seem to be getting any closer !! I had a quick visit to the Mcvities factory but they were closed so needed to go to Lidl instead… 2x yum yum’s, 2x bread rolls and 3 banana’s later and it was North again.
Once clear of Carlisle I headed North for the border and Gretna Green. Hastily pulled a zoom prayer call at the border and then pressed on again for Eaglesfield. I met my hosts Jean and Andrew. Lovely, faith filled believers who kindly opened their home. No speed records today but there was 10+ hours in the saddle.. Good job it’s comfortable.
Legs very tired 117km longest day so far. Really feeling God’s heart for the UK.
Jim