I’ll start by stating the obvious. It was a long drive. I did it in about ten hours, probably left my house too early. Although if had started this journey later I might not have stopped at the Devils Porridge Museum.

I’ll let Sir Arthur Conan Doyle explain.

Some more pictures from my visit.

How did I get here?

I left home at around four am. Primarily because I had it mind that it would take a very long time and I’d need a long stop at least once. The M25 is of course always a concern. I got past that potential hurdle quickly. The first services I stoppped at was bearly open, just a Starbucks; Welcome Break at Beaconsfield on the M40. Only around forty miles, but I needed a coffee. The next stop was Knutsford on the M6; over two hundred miles under my wheels, half way, for another coffee and to eat the sandwiches I brought with me. It was only around nine am.

I’d never used the M6 toll, so that was another first for me. Scotland was to be the main one. The last time I’d been this far north was to visit Blackpool. That journey was a nightmare, not just because we were stuck to the free M6. The whole journey on that occasion had seen almost constant heavy traffic. Previous to that we’d stayed in the Lake District. And almost entering the land of the Scots; Hadrian’s Wall was the distination.

This time obstructions had been rare. I wrote when I drove to Wales how I had felt a weight lift as I crosssed the bridge. I think now it was actually the time I’d spent travelling that lifted my mood. This time it was as I saw the first signs that I’d entered Cumbria. The landscape is wonderfull. Parts of the south I ride through regularly are great, but it doesn’t compare. The lakes and the Yorkshire dales are on my ride to-do list.

And then I entered Scotland. Even from the motorway I was impressed. But off them it took my breath away. I know that description is used a lot, not by me, and I’m sure those saying it mean it. But it has to be said it that it’s best illustrated by my current soundings.

Everywhere is just so photogenic. The big skys term could be applied, the terrain just spreads out in all directions. The roads are less busy, which helps, and better surfaced for the most part than Surrey and Kent. Both of these will make cycling in the area more enjoyable.

Having arrived much sooner than I anticipated was the reason I went to the museum, and even drove an extra two hours to Glasgow and back.

I’ve got a few routes planned. The weather doesn’t look promising, I’ll just have to take my chances.