Day 9 Kendal to Carlisle

53.9 miles in 320 mins

Today was the first day when we really thought we could have gone on a lot further. The day started by going over Shap Fell, a summit of some 1400 ft, but it was just a case of changing a few gears and then plodding on. A team of cyclists on roadbikes passed us, but congratulated our efforts (they weren't carrying their stuff with them). One of them said I was carrying a lot more weight than them, which i thought was a bit rude... At the top, we were interviewed by someone making a radio programme, which was exciting. After Shap, it was downhill (although still pedalling, due to the headwind) all the way to Carlisle. Oliver chatted to an old dear on a park bench in Penrith about South Africa, but apart from that, nothing of great importance occurred. We got to our B&B before 5 and went to the local pub for a pie (which was too large to finish!).