Nightowl Carlisle Ltd Nt Services

... this, my greatest adventure.

2. Hip flask - A hip flask filled with Laphroig single malt (another favourite of JWP). Again, there are certainly lighter weight receptecle's I could have taken, but this flask was a present from my sister and a hip flask (filled with the local spirit) is surely a must for any serious traveller! I'm sure John Wayne used to navigate the wild west by just swigging from a hip flask and scanning the ...

Well after a good nights sleep, well I did but Martyn woke up complaining bitterly that he was kept awake by another form of wind from Leigh? we woke up to.. yes you guessed it, RAIN! but with the added benefit of of strong winds with gusts up to gale force strength..nice!

Once everyone had checked out of the Motel we set off for Glasgow on the scenic route via Otterburn & Haywick, stopping for breakfast at the very friendly Percy Arms in Otterburn ...

Travelled to Cumbria to see Mum and catch up with old friends - was originally going to leave all my kit here but realised that I needed more time to get used to the weight on the bike (and assess whether I might need to get panniers after all) so the trip has become largely a ...

... of Thieves and ate my lunch thinking of Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman (I think) being here fighting the sheriffs men. The YHA doesn't open until 4pm so I pop in for a quick Stowford Press Cider next door while I wait. Just what you need after a hot day walking. Booked in to the YHA and I have to share with 4 other men tonight. No food on at the YHA so I think I might just have to pop to the pub next door for some food and a pint or two.

... strong hold.

We then took a little drive further north and went into Scotland! Yes, to a small town called Gretna Green. Actually everyone left the highway here as there had been an accident just further up the road and the police were taking everyone off the highway and down the country side roads.

We went to the old blacksmiths shop. Which was a place that performed run-away weddings in 1785. Today it still does weddings ...

... place to visit.

From there we drove around the Border Regions of England, checking out Hadrian's Wall - built by the Roman Hadrian to keep the Scottish clans from attacking them - and then up across the border itself into sunny Scotland. An hour in to the country, Helly received the phone call we were dreading - the call to come back to work early. *sigh* So that was the ...

... read through the Australia trip blog, you will know my views on people ******* about at these places.

We ventured into the nearby town of Keswick, which was very busy. They had a cracking farmers market in full swing, and some cool old buildings and nice parks. I don't know any more about the place except it was very pleasant. Like it should be.

From ...

... unless you're really having sleeping troubles in which case e-mail me! Will I miss my family and friends, of course, to varying degrees every day, but I've done this enough times now to know it wont hold me back, if anything it makes me appreciate them more. Not that I'd be mushy enough to say it.... But I feel lucky I have their support as they're used to me heading off doing daft things, holding their silence even when they know its not perhaps the most ...

Lake District was the northernmost area we visited. That's probably why the Lake District is one of the best attractions of U.K. John told me the story of Beatrix Potter, the author of Peter Rabbit.
Actually, I don't remember which lake I visited, because John took me there. I still remember I took a boat to the opposite ...

... until the next one.   We look forward to seeing those who can on May 1st.  And those who can't at some other point over the next 6 months.  Goodbye and our love to you all. Just remember you're never alone with Mr & Mrs R!  Vernon & Ethel Humpage """""""""""""""""" The Dixie Chicks don't like it. The Pope doesn't like it. Robin Cook, bless his ginger beard, doesn't like it. And Mr and Mrs R definitely don't like it. So why is it happening? """"""""""""""""""