Good start at the Stanley Lodge Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast - another top breakfast plus added bonus of a track pump being available too.
Sunny and warm for most of the day and thunder and lightning from Shap to Penrith which gave me a good nudge along the A6. Middle section was familiar following a previous Walney to Wear trip a few years ago. It was also a very strenuous and struggling to think of a more taxing and prolonged section so far. Thankfully the weather was again so good and had views to Morecambe Bay, Lake District and the Howgills.
The main downside to this route is the absence of facilities - I was relieved to have stocked up on leaving Carnforth and this proved to the last chance until Tebay (saw the pub sign but decided against it and carried onto Orton). Orton was much needed refreshment boost and the subsequent climb out to the A6 brought the promised thunder storms firmly into view. Ride from A6 to Penrith had the homing beacon on to be met by my wife.
Day 8's route was split into two as follows:
Part 2
Part 1
