Tuesday 30 October 2007

A Weasel in Consett


Aparently weasels are quite rarely seen so it was a privilige to see one flushed out by a stalking moggy from some bushes adjacent to a warehouse just as a friendly local put us back on the correct track.

Sunday 28 October 2007

Wildlife Along the Way 2


Just to the east of Keswick, as we followed a disused railway line along the fast flowing River Greta the other Mr H and I spent a few minutes watching a dipper doing its thang...

Wildlife Along the Way 1 - Kingfisher!




Obviously it was impossible to capture images of all of the actual animals and birds we saw along the way, but below left is an image I found on the internet that comes closest to showing the startling, iridescent beauty of what many people would argue to be Britain's most splendid bird. Barely out of Whitehaven, riding over a little stream, a commotion, and I saw a water rail (top) run out from under the bridge- then that amazing shimmering blue flash as a kingfisher flew directly up the stream. Excellent!

Thursday 25 October 2007

We're back!


A touch late thanks to a missed train in Birmingham (actually largely down to a sadistic and somewhat sour platform official) - but home again at last.

Homeward bound


The adventure over. We pull out of Newcastle train station, past the Tyne and on towards London.

Wednesday 24 October 2007

The final reckoning


One hundred and fifty one point seven five miles. And my knees feel every one of 'em.

JOB DONE!


An unceremonial refuelling at Burger King and on to the train station. You can just about make out the sign saying Sunderland. Onward to Newcastle.

Mark, Ian and the North Sea


Duncan and Amanda on the way!

The Stadium of Light


Not far now! Note the mill-pond like River Wear.

Puncture number six


Mark enters the running. May be a shade late to catch up as we pass Chester le Street.

Puncture number five


Amanda 3 - Duncan 2

Another top


And onwards into County Durham. Beautiful weather and beautiful, bleak scenery.

Allenheads Inn


We have never earned a pint like we earned these ones. Exhausted.

Black Hill


Highest point on the C2C! Darkest also.

Tuesday 23 October 2007

Hartside Summit


Crouch Hill- I will never say bad things about you again.

Them there hills


Duncan points out the Pennines - the backbone of England. Unfortunately for our thighs, that's where we're going.

The M6


Under this and straight to the bike shop at Penrith.

Red squirrel!


Ian narrowly avoided running this one over.

Fuelling up part deux


We all eat far too much of a magnificent breakfast at Brathan guest house.

Puncture three


In the cold light of morning, Duncan inspects Amanda's puncture. It happened at a very inopportune moment last night. But today is another day and the weather looks great!

Monday 22 October 2007

Very welcome refuelling


Whinlatter visitor centre provides what seems like the food of the gods. Next up - the mother of all downhills through beautiful forest track.

The highest point in England


A glimpse of Scafell Pike.

In the beginning


Duncan shows how it should be done. Adios Whitehaven.

You were only meant to dip the wheels in!


Amanda loses it as Ian falls into the Irish Sea. In this picture he's just climbed back out - soaked from the waist down.

Egg, egg, egg and egg.


Major fuelling before setting out - full English, Cumbrian style. I don't believe I have ever worn as much man made fibre at one time. One stray spark, and half of Cumbria will go up. -- Mr Harragan

Sunday 21 October 2007

The Waverley Hotel


After nearly 11 hours since we pulled out of Euston, we finally arrive at our hotel in Whitehaven. Time to rest up - looks worryingly hilly round here!

First puncture!


Mr Wicksey breaks the world record for first puncture on a stationary bike. That large metal thing behind his bike is the train he just got off. Good start.

Hogwarts Express


Not such a good photo but that train there through the window is the actual Hogwarts Express! It says so on the carriages. Not actually at platform thirteen and three quarters, King's Cross - but at Crewe in Cheshire.
I've just heard that the Hogwarts Express leaves from platform nine and three quarters and not thirteen and three quarters. Sorry, Potter fans.

Cycle ride? What cycle ride?


Mr Carlsberg and a pack of cards help us to forget.

Quiet zone


So far so good. No problems getting on the train thanks to a very helpful guard. Nearly got nutted by a Glaswegian family whose seats we appear to have inadvertently occupied. Too bad the seat reservation computer isn't working.

Refreshed, relaxed, bricking it


Euston Station. Star date 2007. Branson - take us there and don't spare the pendolino.