Day 9 - Penrith to Sanquhar - projected distance 80 miles.

Bright and breezy this morning. But that’s enough about me: the weather was pretty good too, with a (rare) blue sky in Penrith. Today was all set to be a pivotal day, mainly because of the journey over the border to Scotland.

Out of Penrith and on the road to Carlisle, I passed the village of Unthank and gave thanks for my morning’s ride. There were more lovely views to enjoy. Everywhere looks better in the sunshine, and Carlisle was no exception. Passing rows of manicured lawns and shiny cars, I reached the twin castles which feature in the town centre. Then it was out into the countryside again, and on towards Gretna, which made me glad I was wearing white today.

And there it was. Scotland. Right by the border – literally, right by the border, stood the first house in Scotland, where more than 10,000 marriages have been conducted (so the sign says). After some photos by the Scotland sign, I vowed to press on, past Lockerbie and into Dumfries, where I met up with Sarah and the children for picnic by the River Nith. It was, if you will, a picnith.

After Dumfries I passed some signs for Moniaive, where the McHattie family bakery was, then it was on through Thornhill and uphill to Sanquhar, home of the world’s oldest Post Office (1751). Today I posted an 82-mile ride, which is the longest to date.

Yes, I am tired, and yes, the strains of the challenge are starting to tell. Unfortunately I do have the first signs of saddle-soreness, which feels almost like a bruising around the bones. More problematically, my bike’s gears have been playing up all day and are running very badly, so I need to find a friendly bike shop in Glasgow to have a look at the gearset tomorrow.

This evening we zipped back down the road to Thornhill for a splendid dinner with my father’s cousin, Helen, and her husband. It seemed a lot faster in the car.