After a fantastic evening enjoying Hexham hospitality, courtesy of Hugh  and Jill, we left a little later than originally planned. This did not, in the end, make much difference. Cycling through the Northumberland countryside was glorious, not least because there was glimpse of sun. Our journey has not been planned with sightseeing in mind so it was not a case of stopping at every stately home. However, we were cycling through lush green hedgerows and past houses and through villages built in the austere yet attractive grey stone that is such a feature of the north. Travelling by car may be convenient but it is certainly cocooning. On the bicycle one is aware of the scents - the trees, the hawthorn, the bog myrtle ...the green. Also the bird song. I really must recommend it!. However, though travelling through this lovely countryside, I do have to say the terrain was more than a little challenging. If we had hoped that the hills of the A68 were behind us, we were mistaken. There were long slow hauls followed by terrifying descents followed by another steep gradient that would go on for ever; the exit from Ebchester was, I think, the worst ( 13% gradient - luckily we did not know this when we started the climb). However, we met up with friends pretty much on time and have had a leisurely break surrounded by trees, donkeys - and hens! Thank you Kate and Nigel and girls for the welcome. Now we  are planning our next stage - Thirsk. The direct route is by all accounts a busy road, the aim to see if we can programme the GPS to follow something quieter. Fingers crossed.

Hexham. Yes, we have reached the end of Stage 2. We left Ferniehurst shrouded in mist and rather damp - but beautiful. The weather improved with a rather chilly patch mid morning. Hexham is positively balmy. We may even be able to abandon the fleeces! We have spent the day riding through stunning countryside - rolling moors, woods, lush green roadsides and surrounded by bird song. I even heard a cuckoo this morning. When up among the hills it  was easy to imagine the Reiver Clans that once ruled the area - the Percy's, Laidlaws, Armstrongs - and of course Young Lochinvar. This is the country of Scot and S.R. Crockett. We had been well warned about Carter Bar and how testing it would be. In fact it proved much less difficult, just a long slog uphill. The real challenge came after as the A68 following the path of the Romans goes up and down, up and down, up and down - often moving from a realitively gentle gradient to a stiff, steep gradient on the same rise. The downhill was exhilarating, the uphill a test of muscle and determination. The other challenge, the traffic since this is one of the main routes south and though not a dual carriageway favoured by lorries. Today also seems to have been the start of a motorcycle meet as Robocop clad riders roared past us in a steady stream - luckily going the other way, as was a small group of vintage cars. So now we face Stage 3 as we head to Durham. Fingers crossed for a good day.

Jour 2: Jedburgh - Hexham 72 km 1200 mètres de montée

La journée a été courte mais assez physique, avec beaucoup de montées, notamment juste avant la frontière entre l'Ecosse et l'Angleterre. Ceci dit nous sommes arrivées assez tôt chez notre hôte,  un ancien amis de Ferelith, érudit et avec un humour fantastique, qui nous a reçu royalement...

Le Grand Départ

Ça y est c'est parti! Et quel départ! Le climat Écossais fait encore des siennes et après une semaine de beau temps, c'est justement aujourd'hui que tout se gâte. Ferelith et moi avons donc quitté Penicuik sous un ciel gris, avec un temps froid et pas mal de vent! Bientôt, il a commencé à pleuvoir... Le moral a encore bien baissé quand mon câble de vitesse à décidé de ne plus fonctionner - heureusement un réparateur de vélo bien sympatique, à Galashiels  (la ville la plus proche) à pu résoudre le problème! Ouf!!! Nous voilà donc à la fin de la première étape. Une super maison d'hôtes juste après Jedburgh, à la campagne. On a été assez rapides compte tenu du clima et, des arrêts  (pour réparer le vélo - acheter des chaussettes chaudes...).
Demain, il devrait faire plus chaud mais ce sera une étape avec un grand dénivelé!

Well we are here, Ferniehurst Mill Lodge just outside Jedburgh, the first stage of the Adventure completed. I feel a bit lightheaded- not sure how Agnes feels. It has been encouraging to make good time since the weather has been inclement - freezing and rather damp to say the least. However, we have risen to the occasion - or should I say pedalled to the occasion, despite freezing feet, quite a few hills! Lots of lorries and a broken gear cable. I have to report Happy Trails in Galashiels provided the solution to the gear problem with a smile and efficiency; so back on the road after not too long - but not before a sustaining and tasty lunch in Galashiels.
Now enjoying a very quiet evening surrounded by lush greenery outside. Tomorrow onwards and upwards (literally) as we face Carter Bar ....will there be a G + T at the top? I doubt it. Ah well. Tell you how we get on tomorrow