Day 5 - Thursday 7th November

Silverdale to Ravenstonedale

Miles today: 35

Miles so far: 189

My Swiss bike ride was all about cycling. This bike ride is about visiting people with a few miles in between in the saddle.  

Last night was spent with the Nearys who got married in 1978 and I spotted the photo below in their house. Have you ever seen a couple who look so young on their wedding day?

It was a relaxed start to the day. After breakfast, Richard and I cycled together for 10 miles to Newbiggin where we called in on Rita (oh, please don't put my photo on your blog). 

One drink and an hour's rest later, I left and followed my sat nav down narrow, muddy country lanes, stopping for a minute at this crossroad to take a photo of the road sign:

My route took me through Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh before arriving at my destination at 4:05, The Black Swan at Ravenstonedale. 

They had already said by email that there was no secure storeroom to lock up my bike, but when I got there, I was offered a ground floor room where I could take my bike into the room. 

Tomorrow is a relatively early start (8am) with a 10 mile climb from 900' to about 1600'. This will take me the best part of two hours. Then there are about 50 miles mainly downhill to Teeside where I will have the weekend off, staying with James & Chloe and Jennee. 

Post Script

I did this blog at 6pm and when down for my evening meal at half past. As I had pre-booked my table, I asked where I should sit and was told "your friends are in that room". Assuming she thought I was part of a group, I said "no, I don't have any friends" - but, surprise surprise: there was Rita and Tom who had driven over to the Black Swan to see me. Aren't surprises good!