Five are off to Workington! hurrah

Timmy the Sherpa woke at 5am and lay in bed watching the beautiful sunrise. At 5.15am Timmy decided it was time to get up and begin the preparations for the Five to set off for Workington to begin their trip.

Cheese was grated specially for George and other goodies packed away in the cool box to ensure everyone was fed and adequately watered along the way.

Julian and George fitted the bike to the car rack and we set off at 9am to collect Anne and Dick. At Anne’s Julian spent much time fixing the bikes safely to the rack and eventually after much debate (mainly between Julian and George) we set off at 1015.

The five were excited about the adventure that lay ahead. Julian had warned Timmy that he had to concentrate on driving in order to get the five and all the luggage and bikes to Workington safely so not to talk to him too much. George withdrew into her and meditated most of the journey. So Anne, Timmy and Dick chattered away about a plethora of things (basically everything and anything!). Anne really excelled herself telling Dick and Timmy about the latest dishwasher tablets - apparently you can get a 3 in 1 Powerball to get the dishes extra sparkling - Dick and Timmy cannot wait to get home to try these wonderful inventions. Even Julian and George pricked their ears up when she finally told us about a tablet you can get to wash the dishwasher itself when it has no dishes in it - the wonders of science eh?!

Anyway we took the A1 and turned onto the A66 at Scotch Corner to make our way across to Workington. If you have never driven across the A66 - it is delightful and on a beautiful sunny May day the Five all felt that a good adventure was in the making.

We drove off and found a beautiful spot for our first picnic. Timmy lit fires for hot water etc and laid out the banquet it was tres bien! When everyone was satisfied we continued to Workington.

The Five arrived about 5pm - hot and tired from the long car ride but excited to see the official starting point and the C2C sign. The bikes were unloaded and George rushed off to play at the starting point leaving Julian and Anne to set up the bikes and make necessary adjustments etc. Anne herself was so excited - she was wiping every bit of dust she could see off of her bike. In fact so keen was she to start that as soon as the bike was off she jumped on ready to pedal after George - it was a good job Julian was looking out for her as usual as he pointed out that she would only be going in circles until she straightened her front wheel!

George gave everyone a Tarot card so that they could be aware of what message was travelling along side them on the first day. Each person had to say what they had and George interpreted it for them. The one that needed the least interpretation was Anne’s she had pulled LOVE from the pile. Much hilarity followed this as we all know Anne is in LURVE!! You can tell from the lovely glow she has had for the past little while and the added sparkle (not just from dishwasher tablets) that she has had for the past few months now……………..

Eventually they were ready and did the customary dipping their front wheels in the Irish Sea to mark the beginning of the journey and then they were off to cycle to Cockermouth with Anne in the lead!

Timmy and Dick set off with all the luggage etc to find the digs and get a nice cup of tea whilst they waited for the riders to arrive. About 1.5 hours later they spun up the road - all smiles and invigorated from their first little ride. They had thought getting this first 10 miles out of the way would give them a head start for Friday when they would be riding from Cockermouth to Lanwathby. The Digs were called the Sheep Inn at Cockermouth and Dick and Timmy had a good old giggle when they read then sign which said “Do not leave without seeing the live sheep show.”

The Five then went to the pub for a drink and eats a lovely place called The Kingfisher right by the River Cocker they were chased out of the lovely garden by vicious killer Cumbrian Mozzies. Despite this a good time was had by all and they returned to the Hotel and turned in at 10pm to ready themselves for the long ride on Friday. Dick and Timmy tried to entice the others to stay up and have another adventure by finding out about the live Sheep Show but Julian was having none of it and made sure everyone was tucked down for the night and not distracted by whatever it was the Sheep were up to!

Night Julian
Night Anne
Night Dick
Night George
Night Timmy ………………………………………………….

More to follow on Friday.

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