billrider2013

LEJOG Day 11

I woke up reasonably early and headed across the car park into the pub for breakfast.  It ended up being a case of Faulty Towers the ‘duck is off’ – not milk, no fruit and two guests (me and one other) discussed who would have the only tub of yoghurt.  I ended up having some muesli (Alpen ?) with water and some toast. Halfords not good a place to stay.

I took the opportunity of have a good 4 g signal on my mobile WIFI to make a Skype call to a Scottish mate in Canberra.  He is has a thing or two to say about Rugby.  He predicted anther close game in the Wallabies  v Lions Test that was to start in 2 hours.  He also had some further advice on my planned route through the Hebrides.

I had expected that the Test  would have been broadcast in the pub.  Unfortunately, Mr Murdoch’s charge, which apparently run  to thousands of pounds, were too much for this pub.  I headed off expecting to find a pub in which to watch the game.  I couldn’t find one.  As it turns out that was probably a good thing.

My route north took me to on main roads, however they were not too busy.  I found a pub on a canal.  A reasonable meal for a good price.  Thing appear to be getting cheaper in pounds as I move north -probably not on dollars given what is happening to the AUD.

The next main town was Lancaster.  This is a university town, with two. As with all university towns, Oxford, etc  in the UK and elsewhere, it is place on the up.  Education, research and ‘hang off’ industries are the future for high cost countries.  Lancaster is also a bike  friendly town.

Leaving Lancaster I headed to Bolton-le-Sands.  Most of the ride was on the Lancaster Canal.  It was getting late and I decided to check into the Blue Anchor Bolton-le-Sands.  The barmaid was particularly friendly and introduced me to most of the patrons. My answers to the questions: where are you riding to too (John O Groats) and where are you from (Sydney) is a great conversation starter.

A couple I chatted to told me that they owned and canal barge and they had taken from the village to London.  I took two months. I was surprised that this was possible.  I had thought that the canal network run from the main cities, e.g Manchester to the west or east, not north – south.  Apparently this is not the case.  A bit of reading coming up.

The couple told me that there was a band playing at another pub in the village.  I headed there.   As I entered the pub the band stated their last set.  It included some old classics.  These included:   Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen), Jet (McCartney and Wings), The Wall ( Pink Floyd) and Jumping Jack Flash (the Stones).

A great night.

Garmin Link

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/338440033

Flickr Link

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjGDJtJe