The estimated mileage for the day again wasn't too bad (60) miles and the weather was looking ok, with more cloud than we have been used to, but a moderate temperature.
After steady progress, albeit over quite undulating terrain, we were both surprised by the speed of our arrival in Scotland, 21 miles into our ride for the day and a mere 676 miles since the start of our adventure (as you can see, Martin has got over his surprise in the photo below):
Lunch was taken in a cafe in Langholm and we were given the first two of several cash donations during the day. One motorcyclist using the cafe and who was out biking with friends had lost someone to bowel cancer and kindly made a donation, as did the lady who owned the cafe. She also would not accept payment for our lunch and realising we had already paid for it returned the cash which became a further donation - many thanks to both if them.
The afternoon saw us cycling into the most remote countryside we have encountered so far, towards Eskdalemuir and the Ettrick. Much of the area we went through is coniferous woodland, with logging going on on a huge scale.
One thing we did not expect was the Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre at Eskdalemuir, which we were told, when we called in, was founded in 1967.
You will notice from the photo that I'm wearing something which may look unusual - something to keep off the rain, which is the first time that has happened since we started the ride. The weather closed in as the afternoon progressed and it was fairly continuous for the last 2-3 hours cycling. It gave an added sense of urgency, helped also by improved roads with fewer climbs for much of the afternoon. With the poorer conditions, Martin was sufficiently inspired by the sight of our accommodation, The Gordon Arms, in the distance that he had to photograph it:
It was great to get there and get rid of our wet clothing and the evening was made even better (on top of the good food) by three cash donations from people we met in the bar, including some who had lost someone to bowel cancer. It's been one of those days when again you come across people who have been affected by the disease and also people who simply recognise what you are doing and want to show their support - a good day, which makes what we are doing feel really worthwhile.
Ian
