The descent was great with massive valley walls wrapped around us. The wind stopped us going too fast and saved our brake pads. It was beautiful.
We got to Appleby and stopped for lunch in the Eden River Cafe. I had a ham and cheese sandwich and the cheese was superb. It was Eden Chieftain cheddar from the local Appleby Creamery.
The pic is the iconic one of the town which is well known for hosting the largest horse fair in the country. Wendy and I are going to it this year which should be fun. The horses all go in the river here.
I stopped at one point to video the trees bending over in the breeze and Ian struggling to make forward progress. Unfortunately, I haven't used the video before on my Blackberry and didn't save it.
My mind has already blanked out most of that awful passage of cycling, but I do remember falling off my bike laughing. Ian had lost it by now and was cussing the wind and then the distance markers. After 3 posts a couple of miles apart all said Brampton 14 miles, and then later on one said Brampton 6 miles and the next said 7 1/2 ! He gave it what for verbally and I laughed so hard I fell off my bike into the verge, luckily controlling it enough not to do any damage.
Eventually we got to Brampton and the road was closed for a street party. Let me tell you, we were in no mood for partying. We had a wonderful bowl of Lentil soup and at the Off The Wall Cafe and then set off for the last 15 miles.
No, the reason is, I travel all this way to the romantic marriage capital of the world, and Wendy does a no-show, saying she would rather be at some party or other!! What a nightmare.
Oh well, another time.