Cycling through Central europe

72 miles I have never cycled down this bit of coast before. Sustrans, have now, however, developed and signed a series of routes. So I began by taking route I out of Edinburgh, through the tunnel which used to bring coal into the city, on rails with coaches drawn by horses. Before Dalkeith I turned onto another cycle route, much of which was on an old pit rail line. It was stunning, great surface and very few users. Then at Haddington, I followed route 76, passing behind Torness power station. I also went up and down a lot of hills.   A great but long day, I seemed to be cycling into the wind for much of the time. Sunny and at Belhaven just before Dunbar I had good views of the Bass rock. By the time I reached Eyemouth, the wind was cold, so no daudeling. Good thing as I only just reached the excellent YHA in Berwick in day light.

22 miles into Edinburgh, over the Forth Road Bridge, which now only takes bikes, buses and taxi's. We have seen no other touring cyclists on the entire trip. Until today we hardly saw any cyclists at all, but today is Saturday and the sun is out, so the cycle path into the city was busy.       We cycled up to and around The Meadows, checked out the excellent Edinburgh Cycling Co-operative, had a picnic in the park, and are now enjoying a well deserved  pint of Guinness in the Greyfriers Bobbies pub.     Keith gets the train home tomorrow: he has lost, gloves and a hat but has managed to keep his toothbrush-the spare one of  wee Neil 's which he was given at Christmas after losing his own on the way to Barnstaple.

Cycling with Keith is different from cycling by myself. Coffee stops, picnic stops, mid afternoon tea stops all become important but have to be done to a budget. So today it was coffee and a bacon roll in Greggs at Perth (good), later full picnic with rolls fruit etc., then pot of tea and scotch pancakes with jam at a church hall in Kinloss. The elderly social club were having a tea dance. Plus I learnt that they have trikes as well: volunteers take older residents, like the ones we were speaking to around Loch Leven. Passed a very large roadside floral tribute near Loch Glow... thought it must have been  left to commemorate some awful traffic accident... but no, it was for wee Donald, a faithful West Highland terrier.          Today we have followed Sustrans cycling routes 77, 775, and finally Route 1. All are scenic, hilly, and will keep you off the main roads but add additional miles.    Tonight we are staying at aTRAVELODGE, - great value, ...

Last night we ate in the hotel. We had a bar meal. I enjoyed the pint of Guinness. BUT... I could have produced a better meal on my  tiny camp stove. My pasta dish with a fancy name was a bowl of slightly undercooked dry pasta with a pot of cream poured over it and some dried herbs floating on the top. Keith says this is why we never eat out! Tonight we are going  to the fish and chip shop.       A good days' cycling,: passed the distillery at Dalwhinnie, then could not complain of the wind over the Drumochter Pass because there was no rain or sleet. Once into Perthshire the sun came out and there was a steady descent. Passed the Killicrankie Gorge. Then into Pitlochry for a Greggs toasted sandwich (did not choose their well advertised vegan sausage roll) .    Tonight we are at a large old fashioned Scottish hotel, that only cost us £37.50 for the night. A bargain. The room is very comfortable.

This year's cycle has to be early because I need to be home for June. 67 miles over Slocht Summit and through Carrbridge and Aviemore to Newtonmore with Keith. Have put on weight over the winter and my clothes feel tight!    Good weather but still March, so not the weather for hanging around. Keith lost his gloves but we got him a replacement pair for £1.49 at Aldi in Aviemore. He is coming as far as Edinburgh. It is good to be cycling in the U.K. as we could enjoy a proper pot of tea and toasted teacake, mid afternoon. Plus we have accommodation booked and tonight's hotel deal is great value!