I left Windermere and crossed my last Lakeland pass of the trip, Kirkstone pass, it was mean and moody today, shrouded in mist and rain clouds, did wonders to clear my head though as I felt a bit groggy from an uncomfortable night's sleep.
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| Ullswater |
I stopped along the shores of Ullswater for a photo opportunity before leaving the hills and stopping in Penrith for a MacDonald's coffee
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| If you look really hard you can see the road... |
The road over the Pennines from Penrith to Alston is the A686, described by some as one of the best drives/rides in the country... And I agree, it's brilliant! Smooth surface, swooping bends, not busy, great scenery and it climbs and climbs into the moors and mists... At the top is a nice cafe, (Hartside Top), I recommend the cheese scones.
Alston is nearby, and is the highest market town in England, cobbled High street and plenty of atmosphere, and then a glorious decent of Wear Dale, more sweeping corners and hardly any traffic - I will be back!
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| Darlington FC... welcome to the lower leagues... |
Before I got to Stockton I passed two curious landmarks; a football stadium in the middle of nowhere, (Darlington FC's ground, surely the best stadium belonging to a non league team!), and a brick sculpture of the famous "Mallard" steam train appearing from a bank of earth. Hmmm... Strange!
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| A train of bricks... |
Resting with the folks now, back to Notts. tomorrow.
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