Stats for today

53.48 miles
8.7 mph
6204 m climb
544 total

Route was over to Durham and then down the A167 to Northallerton.

Brompton

We arrived in Brompton at about 6 o'clock, after pimms and ice cream at Betty's cafe in Northallerton. We are not in the tent tonight because Gordon and Anne (relatives on my Dad's side) have very kindly given us a bed for the night. Stats to follow.

Half way now- so pimms and fruit sundae

Half way now- so pimms and fruit sundae at Bettys in Northallerton

Market Hall Darlington

Darlington is a very fine town - at least a lot better than Aylesbury!

Just about ready to head south toward Northallerton.

Darlington

Just arrived in Darlington after a reasonable ride down the A167 - sometimes oin the road and sometimes on a path next to it. Not a bad way to move fron Durham to here. Anyhow, M and S lunch next.

Durham

Just arrived via a very hilly route - either hammering down hill or pushing up the other side.

I have some very happy memories of Durham from when I was a student at Newcastle.

Coffee time!

Stats for today

56.34 miles

9.5 mph

490 total miles

Climb for last 2 days was 10.7 km



The plan for today worked quite well. We rose easrly and blasted down the A697 to Longhorsley at quickly as we could. The cross country route from there to Newcastle was hilly, but they were ok and our average speed for the day was 9.5 mph despite some walking.



There was very heavy rain during lunch and we had to wait for it to ease off a bit before setting off again.



Sally had an idea for a short cut in Newcastle that resulted in heavy use of google maps on the mobile phone.



Just been for an Italian meal and now ready for sleep. Up early tomorrow to head for Northallerton, to see my Dad's cousin Gordon and his wife Ann - who have kindly offerred us a bed for the night.



I am really, really tired.

Stats for yesterday

Forgot stats for yesterday:

52.36 miles
8.7 mph
434 miles total
Climb - forgot to check and reset altimeter - see tomorrows entry.

Rowlands Gill

Just arrived.

The River Tyne

Heavy rain

Currently in a pub in Whalton (under water) waiting for some very heavy rain to pass by. Fortunately it was lunch time when it started so we are dry for the moment.

Hills!

oops

Oops, two breakfasts in one day!

Breakfast at Longframlington. Good porri

Breakfast at Longframlington. Good porridge. Andy working again.

Early start today

Got going early to get down the A697 quickly. Currently at Powburn and will turn off on to minor roads at Longhorsley to head for Ponteland and then south. We had to wash our towels this morning because of a slight bird dropping problem.

Wooler

Arrived at Wooler about an hour ago. Sal is on the phone again but I have a pint. Don't think we made a wise choice going to Dunbar. The last few miles were very difficult because there is little option to the A1 unless you have a lot of time to spend on round-about cycle ways. Some of it was a bit hairy but there was a footpath most of the way. Berwick is a lovely town but another time I would head for Galashiels (is that is how you spell it). Anyhow, we are heading south and over the border. Newcastle or beyond tomorrow.

Ingerland

Near the border

Currently at the First and Last pub in Burnmouth trying to work out how we can get to Berwick.

Coldingham

Sally on phone to Hannah

It's very humid and the hills feel quite slow today. The hill out of Pease Bay on route 76 is a killer.

Reed Cove

Slow start due to breakfast, but on out way now. 11 miles done

A bit hot already. Off to Berwick and be

A bit hot already. Off to Berwick and beyond today.

Stats for today

Route today was:

Very short and scary bit of A90
Route 1 into Edinburgh
Ailmless walking around Princess Street
Direct route to Musselburgh and on to Dunbar.

52 miles
8.5 mph
5554 m climb
381 total

Dunbar

Arrived at camp site in Dunbar about 20 minutes ago. More later

It's not really there!

Musselburgh

Escape from the city.

House on the right of picture is where w

House on the right of picture is where William Donaldson was born in 1899 (grandad). 12 Dalgety avenue, Edinburgh.

Lunch at the top of the A1

Off to find the house where Sal's grandfather was born.

Princess Street Gardens

Coffee or lunch?

Forth road bridge

Delux bike shed

Just about to depart from Rosyth.

Typos

Sorry for the typos in the last post - I'm typing this on my phone and I'm a bit tired.

Today's route

What a day - it's the farthest I have ever done in a day. From Drumpchter summit we followed route 7 through Blair Atholl and Pitlochry until we reached the A827, where we turned left over the A9 and then picked up route 83, which roughly follows the course of the A9 down to Dunkeld. From Dunkeld we decided not to follow route 77 and instead followed the A984 to Caputh and then the B9099 to Luncarty, where we picked up a local cycle route into Perth. Once we arrived in Perth town centre (at the exit from the park) we kept the Tay on our left through the port picking up the A912, B996 then through Milnathort, Kinross, Kelty. Then B917 and B981 to Rosyth.



We had intended to camp at Kinross, bit the Tea in the Park festival seemed to have taken over all the camp sites.



Anyway, the stats for the day were:



95 miles

10.5 mph

5322m climb

329 total



Thanks go to Amanda for finding a great B and B for the night.

Rosyth

Just made it to Rosyth and we have even seen the Forth rail bridge. 95 miles - more later.

Kelty

No camping anywhere - called for back up on finding a B and B. On we go!

300 miles!

300 miles!

Perth

Not the most direct rouite - but we are here. Next stop Kinross.

Dunkeld

Just finished lunch - onwards to Perth for tea!

Pitlochry

Pressing on to Dunkeld for lunch

Andy catching up with business calls.

Andy catching up with business calls.

Drumochter summit

Reached the top. Quick note of cycle track - not very suitable for road bikes but fine for touring bikes.

Cycle path to summit

Just leaving

Drumochter pass

This is the view from our bedroom window at Balsporran Cottages near Drumochter summit. We just stopped at the B&B on the off chance and they had a room going. Anne and Phil are very hopsitable and have allowed us to pitch our wet tent in their garden. Looking forward to a home cooked evening meal! The B&B is located between the A9 and the railway line to Inverness. The alternative was to cycle another 20 miles to Blair Atholl.



Anyhow, stats for today are:



53.15 miles

8.9 mph

4295m climb

233m total



Knees are all good. I've been practicing the art of Do Easy Cycling today (DEC - and Roger will know where this comes from), which means letting Sally set the pace and me just following. It's far easier than when I do it.



Anyhow - need to shower and repack tent.



The route today was either the route 7 cycle way or, when the route went round the houses a little, the old A9 (pre 1981).



The surface is very good except for the bit running up to Drumochter pass - not good for thin wheeled road bikes. I'm amazed that Tim and I cycled on the new A9 in 1982 - I would not consider doing that now.

Tea break

At this great little cafe in the middle of nowhere- it has free wifi (Andy is working at the moment), free phone charging- my phone is charging- and tea and cake to go with it (had to pay for that. Looking for a B&B tonight to avoid the midges. Also, tent still very wet.

Aviemore

Lunch and tent drying in the park. No midges here!

200 miles

What a view!

Route 7 cycle way is fantastic - very quiet.

Slochd summit

...And knees still working.

Bridge at Tomatin

Tomatin

Coffe in Tomatin before tackling Slochd summit. Midges at camp site were still pesky this morning. Little bit of rain but nice and sunny now.

Auchnahillin

Arrived about 30 mins ago. Good day with rolling ride over the Black Isle.

A9 to Tain, then B9175 to Nigg Ferry. Ferry to Cromarty. Coffe then A832, B9171 and route 1 cycle way to Inverness. B9006 to Culloden. Visit to battle field then route 1 to Auchnahillin camp site.

Very peaceful though it may be midgey tonight cos the wind has dropped.

Stats:

50m
9.3 mph
2917m climb
Total so far 180m

Inverness

Just finished lunch - mussels and chips.

Cromarty

Half way to Cromarty - note how my bicycle is the one squashed against the railings (which are held together with rope).

Nigg Ferry