D+6 Thu 07 Jul 2011 Carlisle to Prestwick

Carlisle Railway Station has huge posters advertising the tourist opportunities of the city.  A word of warning to the would be tourist.  After the birthday celebrations in the Travelodge for Kneel last night (Burger and chips) all were in bed for 2130hrs, less Tonto. As he could not get a signal on his Orange mobile phone he roamed the streets of Carlisle looking for a phone box. Before 2200hrs both men and women were rolling around drunk, asleep on the street.  A real shock for the youngish (31) Southern Ponce.
Up at 0600hrs for a 0700hrs breakfast. For those that have never stayed in a Travelodge, if you have booked and paid for breakfast, they issue you a cup, plates and cutlery from reception once they have confirmed payment. Dad collected our utensils and was waiting for the rest of us to arrive and have breakfast together, when an Irish chap took one of his plates.  Dad politely told him the Travelodge system, and if he has ordered breakfast he has to collect his own utensils.  The Irish chap then started a torrent of abuse at Dad.  Obviously after a free breakfast. Luckily we all stayed calm, the receptionist booked him out, and he left.
After such an emotional start, we could not wait to leave Carlisle. The weather was fine at breakfast, but as we walked out of the hotel at 0730hrs, it started to rain, and continued to rain for 3 hours. Leaving Carlisle we headed North on the A7 and were very quickly in Scotland at Gretna Green where we picked up the A75 to Dumfries. Then on to the A76 to Kilmarnock, the best road we have travelled on in the last 6 days, and thank goodness we started at Lands End, the wind behind us the whole day. Although geographically not possible, it really felt as if the wind was pushing us down hill all day.  Solar Panel Energy will never take off in Scotland, there isn't enough sun.  However wind turbines are a different matter. When they gain independence the Scottish can earn a lot of income selling water to drought ridden Gods Country. It never stops raining.
The weather forecast for the next few days does not look good.  After a quick phone call back to Mike Stanley back in Middle Wallop Motor Transport Department, Mike found us a unit to call in Prestwick, rather than the campsite. Many thanks Mike. A phone call later and we are booked in to HMS Gannet, based at Prestwick Airport, a Search and Rescue Unit.
By mid-day the weather had cleared, and with the sun out we had excellent views over the Scottish Lowlands. We stopped at Thornhill for lunch.  Thanks again to all those who placed money in the charity boxes. On again up the excellent A76, stopping once more at Sanquhar. Thanks to Sally at the Castle View Service Station who not only let us stop, but contributed to the charities.  Many pictures taken of the 12th Century castle in the village. Kilmarnock was reached by 1700hrs, and Kneel set the GPS coordinates that we start at the same place tomorrow.  A total of 93 miles today. We packed the bikes on to the van, and set off down the A77 to Prestwick and HMS Gannet.
When we arrived the personnel at Gannet could not have been more accommodating. We were all given our own room with bedding. Great showers, they even let us use their crewroom to cook our compo tea, and watch the Tour de France. Infact I'm sat here in their crewroom typing this.  A huge thank you to Lt Cdr Debdash Bhattacharya and his Staff.  At 2115hrs they were crashed out to go and save somebody from either drowning or being stranded on a mountain. 5 minutes from drinking tea and chatting with us in the crewroom to airborne. Impressive.
Up at 0600hrs tomorrow for a muesli breakfast and cup of tea, and then a long day, approx 110 miles.