Day 3   Langwathby-Allenheads           With a little detour to Long Meg stone circle

30 miles (Total to date 99.9 miles)

Last night we drove into Keswick for fish n chips and ate them overlooking the lake or should I say "water". Bernie got sunburnt silly girl. Went back to the hotel and had a couple of pints (glass of wine for the lady) and waited outside on the front terrace for the badger to arrive. We were told he normally appears between 11:15 to 11:30 and if there’s no food he kicks off a bit. Anyway he turned up at 11:25  This is the first time I've seen a badger that isn't lying at the side of the road (sadly).

Enroute to Langwathby stopped off at Blencow and took a photo of the Large farmhouse with the renavated pele tower.

Set off from Langwathby and headed up through Little Salkeld to visit Long Meg stone circle. Didn't stay to long as I was thinking about Bernie waiting for me and I had a few hills to get up.

Looking a little out of place at Long Meg stone circle

Riding up to Hartside cafe was not as hard as I was expecting, but it was certainly a tidy hill and a good excuse to stop for a large slice of cake and a cup tea. The next few miles were down hill to Leadgate and then up and down to Garrigill. The ride from Garrigill to Nenthead allmost saw me off (it should have a health warning sign posted,  but maybe it was the cake).

After the very steep 2 mile climb the ride drops briefly down to Nenthead before the next climb up to Black hill (the highest point on the route at just under 2000 ft) it was then a cracking ride with 2 large down hill sections before flattening out in Allenheads where I met Bernie and had some tea before moving on to the next hotel.

Sharing tea with one of the locals in Allenheads

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