September 1 - 3, 2006

The English Sea to Sea Ride

Day 1

Penrith

Suitably refreshed, we looked at the map and I suggested taking the alternative route from Mungrisedale via Murrah and Berrier, rather than the main one following the A66. The route via Berrier takes you away from the thrum and fumes of the traffic on the A66, at the price of going over another hill (and there’s the catch). It also offers good views back to the Lake District fells that by now you are leaving behind.

echoed with the sounds of revelry well into the wee small hours.

I enjoyed the diversion, but there were a number of oaths aimed in my direction when tiring legs found out that the hill, while no Whinlatter, was perhaps a little higher than I had made it out to be….

 

Nonetheless, from the summit of the hill it was a nice cruise down to Greystoke, a pleasant little place where Neil bought two large chunks of cake from the friendly lady running the tea shop at the far end of the village. A few miles further on there was a slight climb out of Newton Reigny, which features a very attractive looking pub. In the afternoon sun it took some willpower to resist the temptation to stop for further refreshment, but summoning our inner strength we pressed on to our second night’s stop in Penrith.

 

None of us knew Penrith and we were pleasantly surprised by the town centre. The weather forecast for Saturday was not good with rain to settle in after a dry start, so with plans for an early set off the following morning none of us stayed out late. However, it was Friday night and few of the locals had similar plans – the road outside the guesthouse

Let them eat cake  …  oh, they are ...