Land's End To John O'Groats, June 2005

2005-07-05 Innerleithen To Ballintuim

Innerleithen to Ballintuim
103.45 miles in 8:24:31 (12.30 mph)
Total: 797.07 in 68:28:31 (11.64 mph)
Long day today. Feeling fit at last, but very tired. We not only made up for yesterday's shortfall today, we also did an extra fifteen miles trying to find a campsite that took tents - it seems that some campsites have decided that static caravans are more lucrative. When we eventually found a campsite, it was the most welcoming ever, or so it seemed in our tired stupor. Just out of Innerleithen, an old man waved at us to stop, so he could tell us the story of the piper who tried to walk from Innerleithen to Edinburgh playing different songs on the bagpipes. He died at the top of the first hill. Edinburgh was lovely - once again I promised myself to visit for longer next time. The Forth bridge is an amazing structure. The road bridge wobbles alarmingly. The poor police had to search all our smelly panniers before we could cross! It tried to rain all day but failed, but it was cold. Had a conversation with a newsagent that went like this:

Me: Is there anywhere round here I can get a cup of tea? [knowing full well there wasn't]
Him: You want a cup of tea?
Me: Yes please.
Him: I'll make you one.
Me: Thanks, that's really kind. Can you make one for my friend too?

People aren't so bad after all!

The biggest hill of the whole trip turned out to be a 30mph job even when pedalling flat out - thoroughly disappointed!