Kielder

The weather is good so strap the bike to the roof bars and head off to Kielder for a decent cycle ride. For a trip near a lake the route is surprisingly hilly, which is not helped by cycling into a decent for the first several miles. A restorative hot chocolate stop is needed and seems to do the trick.

Part of the trip is along the route of the old railway line linking the north east to Scotland through the midde of the borders. It was still operational into the 1950s and when taking the train it must have been lovely to stare out at the beautiful scenery through which it went.

Head back to the car and discover hoisting the bike on to the roof bars is a lot easier at the start of a cycle ride than at the end! Another restorative drink - plus cheesecake - help the energy levels and I head to back across stunning scenery to Alnwick. I pass a Post Bus and the countryside reminds me of Postman Pat - when I read one of the tourist leaflets later that evening I discover that the area did indeed inspire the setting for the legendary postie.