Wet again. Big breakfast to cope with the day ahead. Bridget makes extra sandwiches from the abundance of bacon on the servery (which we have two day later - a welcome snack in more rain). Simon is in a real state. He has temporarily lost his goggles and his odometer, not to mention his mind. Like the travelling rugby and cricketing teams, having ones wife join the team mid tour is an apparent mistake. It addles the mind and weakens the resolve. However, it is lovely to have her support and encouragement and we are thankful she has kindly offered to take our panniers ahead of us to Blackburn. We get a text from Simon’s brother Humphrey who is to join us via train from Hull. The rendezvous is Blackburn train station, around 12:30. We negotiate our way through Leigh in rush hour traffic and head north through Westhoughton. Heavy rain is falling and the temperature has plummeted as we pass Lostock Junction railway station and find a welcome minor road right just north of Belmont to the left of Darwen Moor. We cross the M65 and are now soaked to the skin – Simon’s lightweight yellow jacket acting as a giant sponge. We eventually reach the top of a hill and see Blackburn and it is thankfully a downhill run to the train station.
Bridget is in the station cafe. Warm and reading the papers. We grab a welcome cup of coffee and shortly are joined by Humphrey. Fresh legs, fluorescent yellow jacket, bright red helmet and suede Hush Puppies He looks far too fit for our liking and had got off a few stops earlier at Accrington and biked some 10 miles to get some practice in.
We lunch at Morrisons where Bridget has parked the car and Simon goes in search of a warmer jacket – a black hoodie for a tenner. We think he might get arrested or at least picked up an ASBO for looking particularly dodgy..
Our onward ride continues wet but we have a new recruit to keep us focused and positive. The hills get bigger. We had been advised at the outset to eat little and often to keep up the energy levels. Our Waitrose "Eat Naturals" are now nearly finsihed. We come across a substatial stone shelter in the middle of nowhere for such a welcome break from the endless pedaling.
We finally reach Slaidburn, high in the Lancashire hills. A severe, remote but beautiuful place with a dramatic church as one approaches from the hill below.
We have now completed just over 500 miles. We are virtually halfway!
Simon Sez,
The worst day so far in terms of weather. It rains all bloody day. One begins to wonder what is the point. A naughty little voice says “you don’t have to do this”.
At Blackburn railway station, a well known meeting place for tramps and other down and outs, we meet my little brother Humphrey “fresh legs” Forrest. He is just as soaked as we are and is wearing a new pair of Hush Puppies, well known for their water holding properties. They have turned dark brown. He is dubbed the “Hush Puppy Cyclist”. Kippy takes her leave and goes off to inspect a school in Ilkley. We press on through the rain into the beautiful Trough of Bowland which is now filling up with water. It would be very beautiful if you could see it through the rain. The hills around Slaidburn are ghastly.
The Youth Hostel is ok and the three of us share a six bunk room. We eat in the pub opposite where 7 huge men are hogging the fire and doing crosswords.
I could murder a cigar
Bridget is in the station cafe. Warm and reading the papers. We grab a welcome cup of coffee and shortly are joined by Humphrey. Fresh legs, fluorescent yellow jacket, bright red helmet and suede Hush Puppies He looks far too fit for our liking and had got off a few stops earlier at Accrington and biked some 10 miles to get some practice in.
Our onward ride continues wet but we have a new recruit to keep us focused and positive. The hills get bigger. We had been advised at the outset to eat little and often to keep up the energy levels. Our Waitrose "Eat Naturals" are now nearly finsihed. We come across a substatial stone shelter in the middle of nowhere for such a welcome break from the endless pedaling.
We have now completed just over 500 miles. We are virtually halfway!
Simon Sez,
The worst day so far in terms of weather. It rains all bloody day. One begins to wonder what is the point. A naughty little voice says “you don’t have to do this”.
At Blackburn railway station, a well known meeting place for tramps and other down and outs, we meet my little brother Humphrey “fresh legs” Forrest. He is just as soaked as we are and is wearing a new pair of Hush Puppies, well known for their water holding properties. They have turned dark brown. He is dubbed the “Hush Puppy Cyclist”. Kippy takes her leave and goes off to inspect a school in Ilkley. We press on through the rain into the beautiful Trough of Bowland which is now filling up with water. It would be very beautiful if you could see it through the rain. The hills around Slaidburn are ghastly.
The Youth Hostel is ok and the three of us share a six bunk room. We eat in the pub opposite where 7 huge men are hogging the fire and doing crosswords.
I could murder a cigar
No comments:
Post a Comment