Up about 5.30 am but takes me ages to get ready this morning, partly because I didn’t manage to get my phone and stuff charged last night but the laundry room is open and there are sockets I can use to get this done.

Finally on the road on the road for Gretna and the obligatory photo shoot at Gretna – feeling (ridiculously) guilty that I have jilted Bertie Bike and have Phil with me this time.

And then on to Carlisle.

Very slow and tired today – found a McDonalds for 2nd breakfast – had food with me but it’s cold and damp outside so I wanted somewhere I could sit inside in the warmth, use the toilet and charge my phone (again – using phone to navigate is a huge drain on the battery). I’ve missed breakfast – I’ve barely gone any distance and it’s already after 11am and I end up having a chicken wrap – there doesn’t seem to be any tables with sockets to charge my phone and that I can keep an eye on the bike at the same time -and the door to McDonalds is open so it’s not very warm – so I’ve not ticked many of my boxes but do have something to eat and use the toilet.

Now using cycle route 7 – lovely quiet scenic roads – enjoyed it for a while but hard work and I don’t feel as if I’m making a lot of progress so peel off and pick up the A6 and head through Penrith & Shap – much busier but still good and easier on the legs.

Before joining the A6 I came through “Unthank” – another place name I’d not heard of before – (stolen from the web) “Unthank” typically originates from the Old English word “unþanc,” meaning “without leave” or “without consent.” This often referred to land that was occupied or farmed without the permission of the landowner, effectively making the inhabitants squatters. 

After the village of Shap but just before the highest point of the A6 I took a left turn and headed east to try and find a spot to pitch the tent – nothing looked suitable and now I’m in “I’m not supposed to wild camp England” I was feeling a bit more cautious but after a few more hilly miles (and the wind was picking up) I was glad to see signs for Moor House Farm Campsite. A hasty tent erection – making sure nothing got blown away – a lovely spot but little if any shelter from the wind. Shower and straight into tent to hide from the wind and hope that sleep will take over.