Nearly in Scotland

Seahouses to Berwick

Sunday dawned grey and windy but with no rain. The clouds were higher and not as black so I hoped I would at least stay dry. The wind was not quite head on so things looked good. For the first time I booked accommodation before arrival and just hoped I could get there in time. I have been cycling about thirty miles a day, this seems achievable at the moment; hopefully I will manage more as I get fitter.

The start of the day was riding through quiet country lanes a little way inland. I headed towards Bamburgh and it's iconic castle hoping to get a good photo, I managed a OK shot but the weather was a bit gloomy, so I had to make do.

The route continued through some very pretty countryside with a few steep valleys, whizz down one side, push up the other. I nearly bumped into a Peregrine Falcon who swooped across my path whilst looking for a snack. I also passed a beautiful old stone windmill that had been converted into a gorgeous home, sorry I don't have a photo to show you,it didn't seem a good idea at the time.

The ride progressed well along quiet minor roads until it turned back east towards the coast at Beal. I had misgivings at this point that I would be able to ride this section along grassy tracks across sheep grazed dune and wetlands. I actually quite enjoyed it, it was like riding across waves (without water). Some bits enforced a stint of getting off and pushing but it was a beautiful bit of coast and worth the effort. The track eventually joined the coast path, this was a bit perilous for my loaded bike in parts, I didn't fancy falling off the cliffs with or without my bike, so once again I walked quite a bit. The weather had by now deteriorated and it was damp and windy and I just wanted to get there.

Berwick hove into view around a bend in the track, nearly done. I found the YHA where I had booked for the night, it is amazing, a newly converted old Granary and only open for three months. I found my room and enjoyed a hot shower in the shiny new high tech bathroom. The hostel has a nice Bistro type restaurant where I had an excellent chicken Caesar salad for supper.

I will spend tonight in Berwick and set off tomorrow minus my camping gear. I have sent all 10 kgs of it back to James. I hope that I will really be able to enjoy the ride with a smaller load. I now have only two panniers, previously I had four, and the tent and sleeping bag. The weather has not been really conducive to camping, so I will just have to find a bed every night. We'll see how it goes in the morning.