Distance 163 kms Ascent 1,690 metres

We woke up to this view & sunshine but 20 minutes later it was raining. The forecast was for continued rain throughout the day so it wasn’t much use waiting for it to lift. With rain falling & 7 degrees temperature I set off.

Fortunately the towpaths were wide & clear of vegetation so apart from the wet & the cold, did I mention it was cold, it was better going than yesterday. I was on the busy A6 road for part of the morning but the traffic was well behaved. It also had service stations & I treated myself to a hot toastie which warmed me from the inside.

After Lancaster the rain stopped & I started to dry out. I must be acclimatising because when it got to 14 degrees I felt warm, mind you it took until the afternoon for it to get off 7 degrees!

I was now heading into the Yorkshire dales and some gorgeous scenery. It was hilly with Sharp Fell being the longest at around 10 kms but not unbearably difficult.

We’re now in Penrith in the Lake District, past the half way mark, and tomorrow we cross into Scotland.