Borders & Blighty

Catch up from 20th Aug below. Setting off from Mansfield 2nd Sep heading S & W to Sue's Mum's in Dorchester & to see Chris (back from Oz soon). Will also get to see our friends Anne & Mike on the way.

23rd Aug - Canal path from Jane's into Edinburgh. Great weather. Walked thru the 'Fringe' events in the city. Picked up a cycle route at Portobello E of the city down to Innerleithen
24th Aug - Along the Tweed valley to Coldstream.
25th Aug - Great early morning ride over causeway to Holy Island & Lindisfarne before all the tourists arrived & the tide came in! Then down to Bamburgh (brill castle).
26th Aug - Quiet roads to Alnwick (another super castle), although busy in opp direction as people driving north to start the Great North Bike Ride (we gave that a miss!) Then to Bellingham to camp.
27th Aug - Bank hol Monday. Over desolate moors on Nat. Cycle Network route 68 to Hadrian's Wall - impressive. Good weather holding. Over Harstide Summit (1877ft - highest yet on bikes) & down hairpin bends to camp at Ousby - 'Sid' the campsite owner & pub landlord - great combination. Met 2 young lads on 1st touring cycle trip doing shakedown for planned N to S Africa trip in 18 months!
28th Aug - Carried on NCN route 68 with splendid views of ~Howgill Fells to Dent, campsite in fantastic scenery.
29th Aug - Stiff climb am adjacent to Whernside, met group of youngsters from Rutland cycling 80 miles/day to Berwick-on-Tweed. Looking for campsite N of Heptonstall, local gave us directions to 'Mays' in Slack, an old listed farmhouse with general mstore in a stone outbuilding. May made us very welcome including free camp & morning coffee. Spring water supply delicious! Earth Closet in cobbled farmyard the main facility!
30th Aug - set off thru quaint cobbled streets of Heptonstall, then tough day of several ardous climbs took us to Penistone (on Trans Pennine Trail - a national cycle path on an old railway).
31st Aug - Fine weather & tail wind. O TPT again to Mexborough, then to Worksop to pick up NCN 6 to Clipstone, Notts. Cycle path into Mansfield to Mike's sister's.