Lejog day 17 Garstang to Kendal


A mix of the A6 and quiet lanes today. It was good to get our first sighting of the Lake District fells. The lanes were good; the A6 was a bit manic! Lancaster was busy but cycle lanes helped us miss some of the traffic and one section took us across the River Lune on a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians only.

Shortly after Lancaster at Bolton-le-Sands there was a WC sign directing us off the A6 into the village centre. No toilet could be found. A local resident informed us that there hadn't been a toilet for years.  Immediately afterwards we arrived at the village church. Rosie ventured in and came out with a smile on her face - not just one toilet but two! We had a chat with the friendly Churchwarden, who happened to be there, and naturally left a donation in the collection box.

Later, on a steep downhill section, Rosie shouted "stop!". Her bike's back brake block had come loose and needed tightening. As that was being fixed a man came out from the house across the road and asked if we needed help. The task had been completed by then but it was kind of him to offer.

Approaching Kendal we followed a tempting cycleway which started off fine but then took us in totally the wrong direction. We managed to get back on route quite quickly  which was a relief.

Going through the main street of Kendal we felt very privileged as cyclists to be allowed to go the wrong way along a one way street. It seemed not all pedestrians were aware of this so we had to be careful not to send any of them flying!

We finally reached our self-catering accommodation.  It was quite a long way from here to the shops - we needed to get something to eat! To the rescue came Kim, my cousin's daughter. She lives in Kendal with Phil and she knew we were arriving here today.  She realised that we'd be miles from shops so she came over and took us to Sainsbury's and back. What a star! Thanks Kim.

This act of kindness along with the friendly Churchwarden and the man who offered to help with the brake block reinforces my belief that most people are good! 

On that note I'll shut up!









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