Day 8 Moffat to Biggar

Helloo B Road Fans.
Well I am guilty if writing this blog retrospectively.
On the day there was no Wifi and No Laptop to write up the blog.

Here is the link to the days route video

We woke with aches and pains , due to the great dampness that had seeped through our tents over night.
The position we had been assigned on the campsite turned out to be the low point of the field so all the water collected there and it has rained a lot over night.
It was still drizzling while we packed away our sodden tents and kit. Thankfully we all had dry bags for out kit. Which for once was working in reverse, keeping the wet in lol
Chose to have breakfast after putting the tents away due to the 6mtr rule. If cooking the tents must be 6mtrs apart.

Bobbies table and chairs coming in useful again

Car stuffed 

Even the bunnies were out for breakfast

The start of the days ride was the LONG Devils Beef Tub hill climb, Voted 5th place in the Guardian "Britain's top 10 cycle climbs". This climb is. 6.7 miles to be exact. A climb of 1010 feet.

Not as high as the Shap climb on day 4 by a long way (1580 feet) but a long continuous slog. The views as we ascended the hill were tremendous looking back down the valley to Moffat.
The climb took us just under the hour (59:26) which accouring to Strava puts us 2365 out of 2452 people to have done this, whth the record being 20:14, mega quick

third of the way up looking back

Third of the way up Bobby finally over headed and had to take of a few layers

2/3 of the way up and the vey was at its best on a dodgy bend in the road

The plaque at the top talking of  The Eternal Friendship...

We both needed drink at the top but the temperature had dropped

On the way up the hill we passed a young couple who were in the uk on holiday. They has cycled from London and there end point was Edinburgh. That's some holiday.

A few hundred yards on from the summit, there is a memorial to two postal workers who died at that spot trying to deliver the mail in a blizzard.
This is known as the "Postie Stone"

"NEAR THE HEAD OF THIS BURN 

ON 1st FEB 1831

JAMES McGEORGE, Guard

And JOHN GOODFELLOW, Driver

OF THE DUMFRIES AND EDINBURGH MAIL

LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE SNOW

AFTER CARRYING THE BAGS THUS FAR.

Erected 1931"

More reading here

The soon after starting the decent we came to the Scottish Border

And straight after that we fopund the source of the river Tweed

The long uphill of the devils beef tub was more than matched by the super long down hill we enjoyed following the river tweed down the valley, all 13.1 miles or downhill before meeting the next uphill section. Bliss

it just went on and on :0)

We pulled over in to a layby for a spot of lunch, in the rain yet again. We were not meeting Alex for lunch today.

Kettle brewing. Warm drink helps shake off the rain blues.

We carried on a few more miles before the drizzle turned to proper rain and we stopped under some trees to get our water proofs on yet again.

Rain coming down the valley

Well we cycled on until we came to the town of Broughton. Alex contacted us to say he was going to be late arriving at the campsite. This gave me an idea. On the down to the start of the cycle on the Friday before we had passed

Now there's a sign to draw in the thirsty cyclist

We decided to have a look around the Broughton Brewery.
We arrived at just the right time as it happened. The brewery owner, Dave, was there sampling a new beer that were creating for the Glasgow brewing show the next week. We were asked to give out professional opinion. It was good but had a taste of grapefruit.
Dave then took us on a personal tour of the brewery and explained the process and the machinery used.

Proud of there very reliable milling machine 

Makers plate. Did themselves out of business
by not building in obsolescence

Thew open top brewing vats

Just a wee bit of the stock

All the beers they brew and have brewed

Gates with History.
Frame a brewery near Hollyrood

The wee shop

Now we may have sampled a few beers and then bought a few more but that would be telling. Needless to say the remaining 5 miles passed quite pleasantly.

Lovely lone tree

Look MORE rain on the way. Oh Joy :0(

Finally in Lanakshire

We arrived in the campsite which on first impressions was really nice. We did wonder why we had to have a key for the loos.

We tried to use the wind to dry the ground sheets but that not working in the drizzle

Tents up we went for showers. We found out why we needed keys. You don't want just anyone walking in to something that BAD! and we had to pay for the shower.

The loos and showers really let the Biggar campsite down

Another ting to be afraid of are the Swans. Alex was in his car and they attacked the car and even dented it. They are very aggressive, especially with the signets

After our showers we went to the Crown Inn in Biggar as recommended by Dave at Broughton Brewery.

VERY good recommendation. Good beer (oddly ;0)), good food and good service.

Stowaway Black pudding scone

Well after wandering back it was time to bed BUT not before the swans scarred the living daylights out of Alex as they came round his car for an attack. Luckily Alex had come prepared with a big stick to ward them off

We had to wait for them to settle down to sleep before going to bed ourselves.

It was a good day over all :0)