Day 6

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Finally crossed the border into Scotland today. We have taken it very steadily after yesterday's very long stretch - 13 hours on the road - and so have taken a slightly more direct route into Scotland. Weather has stayed pretty good. There was a storm in the night, but we missed the rain. Wind has moved round to the west / north west which means that we are into the wind at times. Drafting has become more important.

Simon had a chain break today, Andy lost a couple more spokes and Rob had another puncture (that's 5 to Rob!). We are getting very into our bikes and doing all the mending and fixing. Will even cleaned all the chains and gears at the end of the day. (See picture outside bike shop in Carlise to get idea!)

We are staying with friends again tonight. Ben and Silvy have put all us sweaty, hairy, grubby cyclists up in their gorgeous house outside Dumfries and we have been treated like royalty. Salmon, potatoes and beans (all from the grounds of their house) were served up with champagne and vintage claret to 5 very grateful hungry mouths. Silvy even treated us to a rendition of Ain't Necessarily So to serenade us off to bed.

Tomorrow we head off to Arran and the West Coast, but now we sleep.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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