North North North

One reason for going Lands End to John O 'Groats was to have the benefit of the prevailing wind, a south westerly and out of eight days this has occurred once. The other reason was not to have the sun in your eyes.  I have seen very little of the large orange ball in the sky.  For the second day in a row it was wet weather gear all day.  What fun.   Joseph was up and away early to work and I was not far behind him. He had prepared me a packed lunch which I could enjoy on route. On the road by 07.45 battling around the ring road to find the A61 which would take me to Harrogate and Ripon etc. On a bike the last thing you want is misinformation. I get a sign which tells me Harrogate is 12 miles and after four miles cycling the next sign tells me 11 miles.  And before anybody suggests it, I did not get the navigation wrong.   It does nothing for moral at the start of the day.  Harrogate road was busy with plenty of hills to keep me entertained.  The last hill into the town was a killer.  Stopped in town to have a last drink with brothers David and Kieran. Not at the famous Betty's Tea Rooms but a a very pleasant deli.  If one was organising a picnic, which I wasn't,  this was  the place to be.   After the short stop they departed for Norfolk and I carried on to Ripon.      Thanks to all who have helped on route to date. From here to John O'Groats I would be on my own.     That is not a problem but  it has been so good to see, meet and stay with friends and family on the way.   I caught a glimpse of Ripon Cathedral as I sped by. I have a confession to make. I stopped at McDonalds on the edge of town.  Don't panic I only had a cup of tea and a warm up. I was wet through and the temperature was dropping.  No big mac.  Lou and Jenny might have worried to read that.     By the way the gel packs are doing there job I like to think.  I am still a day ahead and despite the weather on schedule for this leg.    I took a detour into the countryside to avoid the A1 and Scotch Corner.  I had lunch in a small village pub. I will not name it as it was the most miserable unwelcoming place you could visit.     On the door there was a notice which instructed people not to enter with muddy boots on.  I wondered if wet cyclists were included in this warning.  I went in and ordered soup of the day from Mr. Happy behind the bar.  He was not pleased to see me but i got the feeling he wasn't pleased to see anybody.   After lunch my route took me through Catterick Garrison.  I felt my resolve was being tested today. My second puncture of the trip.  I went into Lloyds Bank not to ask them to change the tube for me but to get permission to shelter under their veranda area whilst I dealt with the latest challenge. Kindly they agreed.  I was disappointed that not one young soldier stopped to ask if I needed a hand.    I coped.  Before long I was up and running. Slowly we had climbed and the temperature dropped further.   The end was in sight but the headwind was strong and progress was slow coupled with a very tired rider. The temperature was 8 degrees. I have to say that moral was dropping too. My destination was not that far but the going was so slow.  At last I pulled into West Auckland at 17.45 Nothing booked I asked at the local shop and they pointed me in the direction of  a  hotel and country club just a little way up the road.  The Manor House Hotel.  I had the last room or so they told me. I was in there.   To be fair they offered a very good rate for the night which included the use of the Health Club. Before long I was in the pool unwinding.  An hour before I was in the depths of despair chugging up the hills.   Then it occurred to me that if I went out for a short jog I could call it a triathlon.   I resisted that temptation, made some calls and went for dinner.    What can I say. A day of contrasts but then all is well that ends well.       Please say a prayer for the weather to get just a little like summer.  Before  I left I packed the factor 30 and my mankini.  Quite frankly they could both be jettisoned.