At breakfast we meet Graham and Mary Higton, a couple about our age, who are also "end to enders", and they are doing the same route as us - but on a tandem. Their ride is for charity, whereas ours isn't. We are soon chatting away - it's good (and fun) to compare our experiences. I know Reg's brother Geoff and our sister-in-law Rose will be interested to hear what Graham & Mary have to say, as they are planning to do Land's End to John O'Groats next year, on a tandem.
"How have you found the journey so far?" I ask.
"Tough," replies Mary, but with a smile.
"And me," I say. "How did you manage the canal gates and cycle path gates with the tandem?"
" We mostly had to take all the luggage off and lift the tandem over the gates," replies Graham.
We spend a long time chatting, and swop telephone numbers, with a view to meeting up, with Geoff and Rose too if they'd like to come, when we get back.
It's 11 am by the time we actually leave the hotel, and 11.15 am by the time we've bought our sandwiches in the little Co-op down the road. We are finally ready for off.
We cycle through quiet country lanes, on gently undulating terrain. It's really a pleasure to be out today in the fresh clean air of the Scottish countryside. There's a particularly nice view and I persuade Reg to stop and tale a photo. The camera is playing up ever since it was dropped, though Reg says there was trouble with the zoom and the shutter before that. With a little persuasion and molly-coddling the camera decides to work.
It's starting to rain heavily. We are putting on our waterproofs under the shelter of a tree, when a young man on his bike, probably in his late 20's, and wearing a short-sleeved tee-shirt and shorts and no waterproofs whatsoever, and looking extremely fit in more ways than one, greets us and stops to have a chat. (Yes, Sheila, I do believe that generally speaking, people are friendlier up North).
The young man, called George, wants to know where we're heading; he's interested to learn that we are "end-to-enders". He talks about his love of cycle touring, and says he is going to tour Iceland in July. He's been before and loves it. He's a real traveller and takes all his camping equipment with him - "I couldn't afford B&B's" he smiles.
Reg and George talk bikes and sat navs and Garmins. George says he loves older bikes as they are made so well. I would've told him about mine but the conversation moved on and the moment was lost.
We say our goodbyes, and afterwards I say to Reg, "What a lovely young man. It's amazing the people you meet when you're on a bike."
Time is pressing on now; we're really behind today. We cycle on a few more miles; the rain has cleared. I don't expect my coffee today, but as we pass through West Calder, we see a sign for "New Cafe". It's perfect, and we enjoy a cappuccino and an Earl Grey tea, and a few minutes to relax.
A few more miles and we're on cycle paths skirting the largish town of Livingston. We decide we won't stop to eat there but will press on and get a few more miles under our belt. Soon we're on a leafy cycle track, with the lovely scent of pink dog roses wafting around us. We're looking out for somewhere to stop for lunch. No park benches, but Reg spots a grassy bank which will suffice. Soon my legs are covered by tiny insects.
"Midges!" I squeal.
"That's not midges, that's greenfly!" replies Reg, nonchalantly, totally unperturbed by the little insects.
I spend my relaxing lunch break brushing the little creatures off my legs and my pannier.
Only 13 miles to go - it's about 39 miles altogether today. I'm really enjoying the ride as it hasn't been too taxing - so far.
At the end of our cycle track we're very close to the Forth Bridge, which is part of our journey. There are wonderful views from here of the river estuary, the red railway bridge, and the new bridge which is still under construction.
When we aren't far from Dunfermline, we pass through the little town of Inverkeithing ; Reg notices a bike shop. He's worried about the condition of my front tyre. We're soon on our way with Reg carrying a tyre across his body.
I enjoy cycling today until we reach the bike shop. The last few miles into Dunfermline involve a very steep hill and a frustrating sometimes difficult-to -find trail into the town. It's always a relief to get there, and eventually we pull up outside our hotel. I'm left outside looking after the bikes while Reg goes to check in. He emerges 20 minutes later; all I want to do is get to our room.
"You were a long time."
Reg smiles. "Another young receptionist who doesn't know where Lands End is!"
So that's what he's been doing! The young receptionist says she will check with the manager to see whether the hotel can do our washing.
"We haven't been asked before," she says. "But we do have a washer/dryer on the premises."
There's a lift! We transport ourselves and our panniers to the first floor. Our room is very nice - and has a bath!! The receptionist phones through to say they CAN do our washing. I do love a place with a can-do attitude!
This hotel is called The Guildhall and Linen Exchange. It was originally just that, and was built in 1806. I'm not surprised to learn that it's a Wetherspoons, as they like to use old buildings with history and character for their pubs.
We have a delicious good-value meal; Reg watches England play in the Euros and I fall asleep.
"How have you found the journey so far?" I ask.
"Tough," replies Mary, but with a smile.
"And me," I say. "How did you manage the canal gates and cycle path gates with the tandem?"
" We mostly had to take all the luggage off and lift the tandem over the gates," replies Graham.
We spend a long time chatting, and swop telephone numbers, with a view to meeting up, with Geoff and Rose too if they'd like to come, when we get back.
It's 11 am by the time we actually leave the hotel, and 11.15 am by the time we've bought our sandwiches in the little Co-op down the road. We are finally ready for off.
We cycle through quiet country lanes, on gently undulating terrain. It's really a pleasure to be out today in the fresh clean air of the Scottish countryside. There's a particularly nice view and I persuade Reg to stop and tale a photo. The camera is playing up ever since it was dropped, though Reg says there was trouble with the zoom and the shutter before that. With a little persuasion and molly-coddling the camera decides to work.
It's starting to rain heavily. We are putting on our waterproofs under the shelter of a tree, when a young man on his bike, probably in his late 20's, and wearing a short-sleeved tee-shirt and shorts and no waterproofs whatsoever, and looking extremely fit in more ways than one, greets us and stops to have a chat. (Yes, Sheila, I do believe that generally speaking, people are friendlier up North).
The young man, called George, wants to know where we're heading; he's interested to learn that we are "end-to-enders". He talks about his love of cycle touring, and says he is going to tour Iceland in July. He's been before and loves it. He's a real traveller and takes all his camping equipment with him - "I couldn't afford B&B's" he smiles.
Reg and George talk bikes and sat navs and Garmins. George says he loves older bikes as they are made so well. I would've told him about mine but the conversation moved on and the moment was lost.
We say our goodbyes, and afterwards I say to Reg, "What a lovely young man. It's amazing the people you meet when you're on a bike."
Time is pressing on now; we're really behind today. We cycle on a few more miles; the rain has cleared. I don't expect my coffee today, but as we pass through West Calder, we see a sign for "New Cafe". It's perfect, and we enjoy a cappuccino and an Earl Grey tea, and a few minutes to relax.
A few more miles and we're on cycle paths skirting the largish town of Livingston. We decide we won't stop to eat there but will press on and get a few more miles under our belt. Soon we're on a leafy cycle track, with the lovely scent of pink dog roses wafting around us. We're looking out for somewhere to stop for lunch. No park benches, but Reg spots a grassy bank which will suffice. Soon my legs are covered by tiny insects.
"Midges!" I squeal.
"That's not midges, that's greenfly!" replies Reg, nonchalantly, totally unperturbed by the little insects.
I spend my relaxing lunch break brushing the little creatures off my legs and my pannier.
Only 13 miles to go - it's about 39 miles altogether today. I'm really enjoying the ride as it hasn't been too taxing - so far.
At the end of our cycle track we're very close to the Forth Bridge, which is part of our journey. There are wonderful views from here of the river estuary, the red railway bridge, and the new bridge which is still under construction.
When we aren't far from Dunfermline, we pass through the little town of Inverkeithing ; Reg notices a bike shop. He's worried about the condition of my front tyre. We're soon on our way with Reg carrying a tyre across his body.
I enjoy cycling today until we reach the bike shop. The last few miles into Dunfermline involve a very steep hill and a frustrating sometimes difficult-to -find trail into the town. It's always a relief to get there, and eventually we pull up outside our hotel. I'm left outside looking after the bikes while Reg goes to check in. He emerges 20 minutes later; all I want to do is get to our room.
"You were a long time."
Reg smiles. "Another young receptionist who doesn't know where Lands End is!"
So that's what he's been doing! The young receptionist says she will check with the manager to see whether the hotel can do our washing.
"We haven't been asked before," she says. "But we do have a washer/dryer on the premises."
There's a lift! We transport ourselves and our panniers to the first floor. Our room is very nice - and has a bath!! The receptionist phones through to say they CAN do our washing. I do love a place with a can-do attitude!
This hotel is called The Guildhall and Linen Exchange. It was originally just that, and was built in 1806. I'm not surprised to learn that it's a Wetherspoons, as they like to use old buildings with history and character for their pubs.
We have a delicious good-value meal; Reg watches England play in the Euros and I fall asleep.
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