End to End 2004 - Stage 8 - Carlisle to milnthorpe (Holme Mills).

Stage 8: Carlisle to Milnthorpe (Holme Mills). 59.7 miles

Carlisle YH - University buildings.

Next morning was dry but grey. Much of our stuff was still wet, so we just wrapped evrything up in carrier bags. Fortunately we had enough dry and clean clothes to get going.
We took a ludicrous cycle route along by the castle which seemed more dangerous then the road. Then we battled through roadworks onto the A6 towards Penrith.
As breakfast had only been cereal, we stopped at the Thistle Cafe for some excellent Bacon & Egg butties.

University buildings - old bakery.

Carlisle Castle.

As we climbed long drags heading South, the views to the West were impressive. The M6 a mile or so away running parallel and beyond that the high peaks of the lake district.
The Tornado's appeared again for the morning fly-past, this time being chased by a Harrier.
We arrived at Penrith, bought sandwiches and then rode up to Shap village to have our picnic.

(Best sandwiches of the ride!)

Thistle Cafe - Egg & Bacon butties! ......

Penrith.


Penrith.	View from A6

	From the village of Shap it was still quite a climb to the top, marked by a memorial stone to the workmen who built the original A6 over the pass. We then had a superb descent down into the town of Kendal with great views on the way down.
Shap village.		Memorial stone at the top of Shap.

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