A tough start climbing out of Langholm through the Borders wiith the rain lashing down, up and down the hills with snow around us and the odd car going by covered in snow

We climbed into the clouds and then descended over 5 miles - the best downhill we’ve had on the tour so far.

Andy through the snow.

The rain/sleet and snow continued as we deperately tried to find somewhere open for a warm drink - the only place that looked promising was shut due to a fire!  Finlly reached Peebles for lunch.  I secure couple of Tens machines, one for each knee, coupled with nurofen, paracetamol should do the trick.

Onwards to Edinburgh - Paddy turned madman - second in his performance in dodging cars to Lancaster.   His theory is that cars won’t hit you as they don’t want the hassle of clearing up the mess (it’s all a front this tough Irish thing really - he quietly confessed that he needed to be with his Siobhan as soon as he can)

Seth queried why there seemed to be a lot of photo opportunities in and around our cities - when we pointed out the picture signs were speed cameras.   We’ve finally got hime to say ‘root’ for route instead of ‘rowt’.   He tried to argue the point about woodworking and router  similarly Edinburgh is not Edinburrow!

The rain lashed down as we got lost several times through Edinburgh - Paddy up to his usual trick asking all and sundry - one guy suggested he went on the motorway.   I asked directions at one point and the guy said ‘where have you come from?’  Lands End I replied  ‘What today?

Forth Bridge has a fair bit of bobbing up and down as you go across on a bike

Another flare up occurs between Seth and Patrick - Seth carried on when everyone turned right.   This follows on from an earlier comment when Paddy was helping me long at the back and I asked Paddy what is he doing with me leaving Seth out in front?   Paddy replied  ‘I want that yankee ****** to know what its like to be out in the front on his own, I’ve been towing him along since St Ives.

We finished the houney through to Kinross by going through a village called the Hill of Beath which should be renamed the Hill of Death!

Stats for today. Miles 99.   Calories 7936.   Vertical climb 5403 ft.   Time in saddle 7 hours 56 minutes

Taking aview on calories - its important to put back whats been used.   Jaj commented that he thought he was doing a good job so we jotted it down and here it is for today:

1 Weetabix with milk and sugar
Porridge with milk and sugar
2 fried eggs on toast
Orange juice
Tea - white no sugar
Bowl of soup & bread & butter
Bacon egg & chips
1 energy bar
bag of jelly babies
2 Mars Bars
1 Snickers Bar
2 Bananas
Chip butty
Tea
Caesar salad
Mixed fish potatoes and asparagus
Sticky Toffee pudding, ice cream nestled in a brandy snap basket
Coffee
2 litres carbohydrate drink
500ml recovery drink
1 pint lager shandy
1 pint of Guinness
I’m not sure but I reckon this is more like 20,000 calories rather than 8,000
Jaj is complaining of a dodgy stomach and is apparently blaming it on the 500 ml of carbohydrate drink

Tomorrow we’re off on day 8 through the Grampians towards Aviemore with more rain and hail predicted but the wind is forecast to be behind us… bliss!

Pictures from previous days:

Andy with Aunty Betty in Morecambe

Morecambe to Ingleton late evening

Jaj’s Injury being tended to by Seth the paramedic - don’t worry kids it’s his thumb!

Paddy and Seth on Devils Bridge near Kirkby Lonsdale - arguing about the rowt

Over the summit of Shap

Welcome to Scotland the only place we’ve received donations on route - from three individual people totalling £31.50 today alone

Paddy let it slip that he’d been on Manchester local radio as we cycled through the area.   Also he’d been in the local papers as well as the Irish Post.   Google Patspedalpush and you’lll find the articles