More travelling!

 Monday was catch-up day again, before we headed off early-ish on Tuesday...it was supposed to be leave at 7am...45 minutes later we were on the road, this time heading South and East, past Dumfries and Gretna Green and a short hop to the next junction on the motorway to head off East on the A69. A nice change from the usual cross Pennine A66 to Scotch Corner, being far less busy and pressurised.

We turned south before getting too near Newcastle and travelled past Consett.

We might investigate there next time we head that way as there was an impressive viaduct behind the town.

On through Lanchester up and down and up and down over big hills to the edge of Durham, then turn South to Ferryhill where a very good frame builder and restorer lives. 160 miles from our home!

We had left two bicycle frames there nearly 18 months ago as the first lockdown eased.

He works on his own, and is very popular...but we hadn't thought that the wait would be that long!! We collected pirate's frames and the work was stunning, as it was on a friend's frame that we agreed to deliver. As he is a short way the other side of Carlisle it wasn't much out of our way

Heading for home again, this had to be by a different route, so we chose Weardale. We had been that way in the other direction a few years ago...

Our lunch stop was by Walsingham show fields in a lay-by. Unfortunately we had missed the show! 

Then a phone call from our friend..could we meet him in Penrith?!

A quick check of the route and that was possible, just turn off in the village after going over the moor after Weardale...

Just that it wasn't that simple...the centre of Alston was shut..luckily we spoke to a local who told us which way the locals go!! 

Heading back south initially then through the village of Garrigill, with narrow lanes and right angle bends over bridges...over the South Tyne River near its source...up hill again to the road we wanted then down to meet our friend for a drink in the pub on the outskirts of Penrith, just by where we used to compete on the grass track.

The grass track competition isn't held there any more...and the pub has closed too! However we did at least meet our friend and handed over his frame.

Back on up the A6 instead of the M6...an easy drive and no hassle...to Carlisle...then motorway to Gretna Green where we leave the motorway and the A road behind until just before Dumfries. 

Good to be back in Scotland and see the sun gradually going down, shining down out through the clouds.

We aimed for a stop further north than our usual one of Thornhill.

Unfortunately we misunderstood a roadworks sign....or we would have gone a different way.

At Carronbridge we were diverted away from the A76 due to road closure, up the old Edinburgh road past Dunnisdeer.

It. Is. A. Stunning. Road!!!  Neither of us had been through that valley before and we will go back again...it goes over the Southern Uplands over to the M74!  

We could have done without the extra diversion, and  as the sun set we joined the throng on the motorway for one hop up to the A70 and at last head back West through Cumnock to home.

So we left in the dark and returned in the dark...but saw many roads and landscapes new to both of us...drove the reverse way on some of the hilly sections of the Carlisle to Gateshead stage of the Tour of Britain...impressive....we did 40 miles extra overall on the return journey.

But looking at the frames....and with the experience..it was worth it!!