Whalley to Borwick - Day 14 - 18 July

Due to a request by Andrew Storey on twitter I'm going to tell you a little about my packing. I am carrying everything I need on the bike. That makes it heavier of course and much harder to drag up the hills. I got my packing list from this site and adapted it to my needs but it is about 90% the same, the one thing I added is a hairdryer so I can dry my clothes if there isn't a heated towel rail. I have two 35 litre panniers and a 5 litre handlebar bag. I could, with a bit of adjustment, manage with standard size panniers.

Today's route was adjusted by me. Instead of finishing yesterday at Whalley I pedalled on and stopped near Clitheroe and then also adjusted today's end point from Borwick to Kendal which is about 14 miles further north. This is because tomorrow's stage to Penrith was listed as 67.7 miles and I wasn't ready for such a day. In fact, the direct route up the A6 from Kendal is only 28 miles and finding quiet roads it is still only 35.

Here are today's photographs.

Breakfast menu at the Calf's Head, well worth a visit, near Clitheroe. I had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and a good portion it was too. They went to the trouble of finding me some apple & mango juice as I didn't want orange.

The day who checked me out took a photo of me in their big chair as i said I was going to photograph it. I went outside to it teeming down so added my shower cap to my helmet, put on my waterproof jacket and waterproof gloves for the first time.

You can see the road I am going to have to climb snaking up the hillside, that was about a quarter of it.

Lots of water in the bottom of the valley. Thought about filling my water bottle but then remembered there were lots of sheep on the hills so didn't want their output, even diluted.

Water, water, everywhere.

I didn't hang around photographing this sign board as it looked to be riddled with air rifle pellets

The view looking back to where I had come from. The climb up to the top of this pass was 427m and I managed it although I had to keep stopping for breath so my legs are improving faster than my lungs.

Water off the hillside.

Two local lads who I met in the cafe were wild camping for 2 nights and were wondering when they would ever be dry again. It dried up at 1pm.

I was off piste so location not known.

 Fortifications

 The view from the bridge

 The other direction from the bridge

 The M6

Sedgwick House

 My first view of my hotel for the evening, overlooking Kendal

 Local beer, tired so only had two, abstemious for me.

 Salmon pate starter.

Bean burger, the hotels all seem to have similar cut down menus.

Views from the hotel, so many tress blocking a clear view.

Derek