Lucky Kendal Mint

The journey today was punctuated with lots of happy memories from our road trip to Oban in May 2009. I could have done with two companions in the back though! I set off on the motorway and, passing the signs for Lancaster University, was reminded of our polystyrene breakfast on campus last year. It was a good breakfast, we were just amazed that scrambled eggs on toast could be done as a ‘take away’. Last year we took the M6 through the Lake District and although it was certainly scenic (and reminiscent of Mordor), this time I decided to follow Ben’s route and get to see a bit more of the area.

Around Shap Peak

I just love the ancient look of the fields and the dry stone walls undulating for miles. I drove through Kendal and, in a spot of excellent timing, was accosted by Ben in the town centre. Then I took the A6 towards Shap and just kept climbing and climbing through awe-inspiring views. Rather than skimming the edges like you do on the motorway, it felt like I was completely enveloped by the scenery. I pulled in near the summit (1396ft) and waited for Ben. Lots of cyclists seemed to be on the road today and I had a false alarm when I saw one approaching and started taking photos….only for it to be a man in his 40s and not Ben, whoops!

Now I am sat in a Moto services near Carlisle catching up on internet stuff for as long as my battery allows. The Scottish border is approaching and I actually have butterflies in my tummy! I LOVE Scotland and am really excited about the rest of our journey north. I will also be consuming Irn Bru at every opportunity.

Wee Bru & Jake, thinking of you both lots!!

Query of the day: Kendal Mint Cake was very nice, but can it really be called cake? Shouldn’t there be some sponge or something?!

Flyin'

I think this trip will be full of fleeting glimpses of new places. I drove into Shrewsbury to meet Ben on Friday night and it immediately seemed like a nice town. I loved the red-brick buildings and the river running through the middle. It appeared to have one foot in an industrial (but not ugly) past and the other back even further in history. The castle, tudor facades and winding streets reminded me a little of York. By the time the cyclists turned up though there was hardly time for exploring, just getting to the nearest restaurant (although reluctant to complain, the support driver was starving by this point). I had hoped to return to Shrewsbury on Saturday morning, but after an hour working from a roadside Starbucks I needed to head into Cheshire to make sure I was ready to meet Ben for lunch. Thanks to the lack of big shops in the area I stopped at a lovely Farm Shop for a punnet of strawberries and a loaf of freshly made bread. The strawberries tasted like Cheddar.

The idea of travelling through the centre of Warrington/Wigan/Preston did not fill me with joy so I hopped on the motorway instead. Perhaps I missed out, but I was keen to get to the B&B- ostensibly to work, but instead I fell asleep (by accident, just testing the pillow out...) and then watched Over the Rainbow. Work is spiralling away from me at the moment, I thought I’d have much more time in between meeting Ben, but it just doesn’t seem to work out like that. I do have something important to finish by Monday though so must be strict with myself tomorrow in Gretna. We are camping so I won’t be tempted by Dorothy…

Our B&B, just north of Preston

On the canal in Bilsborrow

Biggest anachronism: Italian bistro, located in an ancient English cellar, playing Demis Roussos…

Most heard song since Tuesday: OMG, Usher (wow oh wow).
I must sort out using the iTrip when I’m driving rather than defaulting to Radio 1 and continuing to rot my brain.