12 May – Bonnie Scotland

I was looking forward to today, as I would cross into Scotland. It’s amazing to think I started in England’s most south-westerly tip of Land’s End just over a week ago.

My morning started with a gentle departure from Carlisle. This is the city my mother was born and brought up in, and I often visited family as a boy. So, technically, I am available for selection should Gareth Southgate need me for this year’s World Cup.

Once out of Carlisle, I cycled through quiet farm roads and soon reached Gretna, famous for runaway brides. I couldn’t resist taking a selfie of the sign showing my progress from Land’s End and my remaining target to John O’ Groats.

The rolling countryside as I passed from Cumbria into Dumfries was most enjoyable. However, the short distance between Carlisle and Crawford illustrated the contrasting accents. I was puffing and panting as I made my way up a steady hill climb. A lady, out for a walk, coming in the opposite direction, and walking down the hill, said something about ‘that hill is difficult enough walking up, never mind cycling it” in the broadest Dumfries accent!

My next destination was Lockerbie. Having cycled 26 miles, I rewarded myself with a ‘fuel’ stop at a coffee shop. I immediately got chatting to a top guy, a local, named Gordon. He is a retired fire-fighter and he did his initial training at the fire training school in my home town of Gullane. We reminisced about the pubs we used to frequent; The Golf Inn, The Bissett’s and The Mallard and I explained to Gordon the trainees were known by locals as the Hoses, not the plural of Spanish gentlemen known as Jose!

Gordon told me he is a runner and now in his 70s he is frustrated by niggling injuries. I told him my father is exactly the same!! He loves doing Park Runs with his daughter and grand-children.

Gordon excused himself as he ‘needed to go to the toilet’ but he returned moments later and said “Ya booga, I was going to pay for your brunch, but you must have paid for it when you came in” That was a very kind gesture and I thoroughly enjoyed my 40 minute chat with Gordon.

The Remembrance Garden was on my continuing route. It is a very sombre and surreal place, to reflect on the worst terrorist atrocity to be carried in Scotland.

I reached my Day 8 destination of Moffat by 2.30pm, so I decided to press on a further 35 miles to the town of Biggar. I booked into a hotel and called Janey to see if she wanted to jump in the car and make the 1 hour journey and join me for dinner.

I cycled through Abington before realising I had gone too far and not consulted my sat-nav. I had a choice to continue on the busy A73 or go back a mile and travel along the quiet farm road which runs parallel with the River Clyde. I’m glad I chose the latter as I was rewarded with some stunning scenery.

Janey and I checked in at the Kirkstyle hotel and enjoyed a lovely meal at The Crown pub, both on Biggar High Street. We arranged to meet with fellow cycle enthusiasts Brian and Pauline and enjoyed good chat over drinks. They presented me with their club’s racing cap.

Brian and Pauline, unbeknown to us, settled the bill which was very kind and generous gesture, and we in turn said we would donate the cost of the meal to the fundraising efforts. So technically, this is their second donation. I am humbled by the support given to my charitable fundraising.

Today’s trivial facts

NO. OF MILES CYCLED TODAY :    65

MOMENT OF THE DAY:   Meeting up with Janey and Brian and Pauline.

WEATHER:         Dry with cloudy intervals with wind picking up, 13 degrees

FUEL: I ‘fuelled up’ and ate well for breakfast and had a brunch in Lockerbie + banana, energy bars, and lots of water.

SONG OF THE DAY: Caledonia – Dougie Mclean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP8A9rtg0iI 

% of FUNDRAISING TARGET REACHED:  70% (Thank U for sponsoring me)

TOMORROW’S STAGE 9 DESITINATION: South Queensferry, West Lothian (50 miles)