to Cardona

Once again rain and 20 mph winds and another taxi.  I’ve been on around 100 bike tours and never had weather this bad.  Previously we’ve had rain all day every day but never with cold and gale force winds.  Our taxi driver commented on the weather: “Three cricket matches have been cancelled because of weather.  If a fourth is cancelled that will set a record.  We’ve never had a June this cold; February was better.”  The taxi driver stopped for us the take a photo at the “Scottish Scene”.  As is fitting there was mist in the air.

It was a beautiful drive and a beautiful ride for those who braved it.  Most of the roads were tree lined.  Occasionally we get a glimpse of green meadows.  At one point we could see the cycle path high above us.  Then they descended and rode along River Tweed.  We are staying for two nights at a golf resort – spa somewhere out in the country.  (see photos below)  This is one complaint about this tour, the hotels are remote.  We’d prefer to be in a town so we could shop, get a cup of coffee and get to experience and interact with the locals.

Speaking of locals, everyone here is super-nice.  But this is not unusual; we’ve found friendly people wherever we go.  A long time ago I thought the French were too arrogant and snooty but in recent years I’ve found even them to be friendly.  I don’t know if they have changed or if I have.  Probably the former.

Tomorrow we cycle to Edinburgh, the end of the tour.  But two days later we meet another group for a two-week tour in Ireland.  We are leaders of this tour.