We set off early again, yet again it started to drizzle before we left… Soon reached Shap, which seemed quite OK, but only because Shap summit itself was a good few miles further south. Fortunately the climb was broken up into quite a few ‘steps’ to break up the ascent, which was really quite cold and wet, but we made it OK to the top, a smidgeon over 1400 feet high.
The descent was fun, though a little scary as it was pretty wet and quite bendy. Lots of spray flying from the brake blocks!
Stopped briefly in Kendal so I could purchase some genuine Kendal mintcake. Also an opportunity to use a handrier to warm up a bit.
Pressing on South had a section on the A65 which was quite a scary road, then the A6070 through Burton in Kendal which was a lovely little village. By now it had dried up mainly, just an odd shower, and we were making good progress. Straight on through Lancaster and Garstang, before heading in to Preston to look for the Tourist Info.
They couldn’t help us locate any, so we pressed on south. After trying a pub (who with a bit of arm twisting said we could pitch in their garden if we got stuck!) and still no joy, Ian set Gavin the challenge to find a site for us. Onwards through Wigan during the rush hour (not quite like central london, but we were quicker on the bikes than the rest of the traffic) when Gavin came up trumps with a site about 5 miles E of Warrington.
The site itself was no great shakes, but very welcome and within reasonable walking distance of a decent pub. The Black Swan at Hollins Green, Rixton provided decent food, beer and allowed us to charge up phones etc. And the sun was shining!