Day 10

Ok so a quick update.  Losing track a little of days particularly as we have not eaten yet (8.13pm) and blood sugar levels extremely low! Well today (Carlisle - New Lanark) has been the most challenging leg so far. 86 miles in total. A steady headwind hindered us continuously and actually increased in intensity, slowing us down so much that we had to peddle to go down hill and averaged 7/8mph. This combined with the fact that the road was boring visually, straight for miles at a go (increasing the wind speed through a funneling effect) and right next to the M6 meant that the first half of the day (a mere 60miles) was extremely hard work both physically and mentally. After Abington the road became interesting and scenic to the maximum with some of the most stunning rolling hills, moors and mountain landscape yet. We finally arrived at 6.15pm to an old restored cotton mill scottish youth hostel which we are quite impressed with so far. It is great to be in Scotland and Ian has met lots of pleasant locals who helped him find his phone which was violently tossed from his bike somewhere down the "road" AKA as extreme mountain biking track that the satnav took us down! All the Scots are very friendly although sometimes we have to ask them to repeat the sentences slower...aye! and God bless Scotland!  Striling tomorrow on thankfully a shorter leg.