Penrith's KFC provided the lunch venue, after which the group set off for Brampton, and this was where the fun really started, with some fantastic roads, despite the air turning a little cooler, especially on the higher ground.

At Brampton another break was had to stretch legs and inspect the toilets, etc., and this was where Rob attracted the local village idiot, as he normally does - who took a shine to him and, as your true friends normally do, they made a hasty exit laughing and leaving him to deal with the yokel.

Legs stretched, everyone set off on the next section to Lockerbie, where a stop was made for a tea break and everyone indulged in apple pie and cream in what looked like a Greek chippy cum cafe.  Lainey obviously thought that she was still on her jollies abroad as she was talking to the waitress as though she wasn't speaking English!  Having said that, in trying to understand what the locals were saying, Rob managed to pick up his second yokel of the day.  He was having a conversation with Rob who couldn't understand a word he was saying - very strong accents in that area.

It was then back out onto those wonderful roads on the final leg to Melrose nestling just east of Galashiels.

This next section of the ride was where Canary dropped his bike executing a U-turn necessitated by Stuey's GPS having thrown a wobbler.  The first time Rob's done this in thirty three years, but then it does seem to be a year for this happening ..... doesn't it Clive & Red Devil?  Fortunately no harm done, and only slight scuffs to the VFR.  Shortly after this, and a welcome chance for Rob & Julie to have a bit of a breather, they stopped for a photo-shoot along the shores of St. Mary's Loch.

When the group entered Melrose it was obvious that the night's rain was following close behind.  Canary found the campsite only about 100 yards from the hotel where the others were staying.  The campsite was a caravan club site that also allowed some tents.  Although there was nothing special about where you could pitch your tent, the campsite itself was very, very nice with top class facilities providing toilets, showers, etc.  Very nice indeed. The cost per night was only £14, something that was to become a bit of a sore point for those staying at the hotel, as the place had definitely lost a couple of 'stars' since the last visit, and cerainly wasn't worth the nearly £80 a night it was costing each couple.

Arrangements had been made to met up in the Kings Arms, just down from the hotel, where Rob and Julie happened to arrive first.  On entering they were greeted by a pub full of tartan clad Scots who had been taking part in a piper's championships that afternoon and had all been drinking possibly most of the day - pissed as farts.  The rest of the group arrived and they managed to find a table where everyone could sit together.  Whilst they had been looking for a free table there had been a guy who had been singing with the group of Scots and was assumed to be with them.  However, when the kilt clad Scots left he decided to come and sit with the group, Rob's third yokel!

He seemed to take a shine to Rob, promptly introducing himself as Walter.  He explained that he had been in a band for thirty six years and had a lovely voice, was sixty years old and wanted to sing to them.  He was a little unnerving at first as it was a little bit off putting having a guy singing to you, but what a laugh it turned out to be.  One of the best laughs they'd had for ages, what a star.  He took a real shine to Steve's Julie and kept cuddling and kissing her.  Stu managed covertly to film him and has since put it on You-Tube.  Some food was had that night but it was only chip butties and a sweet - that's all the pub could manage that night as they were fully booked.  Finally the night drew to an end and everyone parted company for their respective beds, a great day well and truly rounded off nicely.

Sunday's Return Run to Skipton

The next morning everyone met up at the petrol station in Melrose and then set off for Kielder Reservoir.  The weather started off not too good as it had been raining most of the night and the roads were wet, but it soon started to dry out as the sun came out and turned it into a lovely day - great roads again and all Rob's thoughts of dropping his bike the day before had well and truly gone.