The day after Motoeuro was cancelled
I was itching to get away so a quick call to Geordie
and the next day we're off....... The BBC tells me
rain is almost everywhere but the Lakes look dry -
how odd ? So saddle up and away we go (pleased I didn't
unpack the previous night). Through Hexham to Hartside
for coffee and then down to Rheged and the Lakes.
Sun came out and dry roads made the trip fantastic.
Head into Keswick and follow the signs to Borrowdale
which takes us past the fantastic scenery and my favourite
bit - the slate mines. The whole valley opens out
in front of you as you pass the mines, it's like something
of Lord of the Rings. Here we stop for photos and
fags to take it all in......
Carry on for another 11 miles of pretty poor roads
and you'll end up in Buttermere
my favourite place in the Lakes. Populated by two
hotels, a farm and a café with rather nice
ice cream and that's your lot. Get the kit off the
bike, inspect out room at the Bridge
Hotel and then it's mount-up and off out again.
I am known of the odd missed turn and this was no
exception - sigh..... Anyway, early evening ride around
parts of the Lakes is just superb and as the sun started
to set, it's back to the Hotel for beer.....
Next day the clouds are sticking to the hills. It's
soaking everywhere, after brecky we're off back towards
Keswick but the roads are wet, covered in leaves,
mud and crap (literally) from the hills. How I laughed
at those 180 degree downhill turns..... In Keswick
I found, what I thought, was an internet café
of course it was a library (Shuuush). Visit the nice
BBC weather site and as the icons of black clouds
drop into view on the wee 15 inch screen my heart
sinks. But wait ! Over on the east coast - it looks
sunny ! Right then....... Cut straight across for
Whitby
!!
Rain hits us on the way over but we arrive, find a
hotel, park up, go for a spin to Robin
Hoods Bay (yes, down that really steep bank you're
not supposed to go down) and enjoy a coke in the sun.
Head off for Scarborough where some great roads lead
us to a bag of chips on the sea front and then we
hear the call for beer.
Whitby is a funny place and believe me after 9.00pm
nothing is open, well, apart from the pubs but they
close bang-on 11pm. Managed to find a late-opening
pub and an hour later I could see 4 Jocks so it's
time to pass out.
Next day it's back towards Scarborough and turn off
for Pickering.
From here some great roads and oldy-worldy towns towards
Helmsley.
Speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down... was the
pace until, at about Darlo we visit the 'brick train'
and head north to Corbridge on the A68. Now we're
in familiar territory and descend on Otterburn for
cake and coffee. Home by 6pm, 500 miles off our tyres,
a great few days - Biking as it should be.
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