Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
'You are a genius.'
We tore a hole in the bottom of each bin liner for our head and a hole in each side for
our arms. The bin bags were big enough to cover our rucksacks, too, and keep our few be-
longings sheltered from the rain.
As we set off again, it felt like we were on a movie set. Despite it being 9.30am, the
streets were eerily deserted. The rain was so dramatic that the film director would have
asked to tone it down because it was too unrealistic.
We had no idea where we were going. I had left the day's route in my rucksack, which
wasnowinaccessiblebecauseofthebinliner.Wecycledinthedirectionwhichourinstinct
told us was north. Two weeks on the road had given us an acute natural awareness of our
location and direction.
Or so we thought.
'Thisistheroadwecameinonlastnight.Weneedtobegoingintheoppositedirection,'
I said.
'I thought it all looked a bit familiar,' said Ben, as we turned around and retraced out
steps.
Less than a mile north of Carlisle on the A7 we passed a branch of Morrison's - the
supermarket (other supermarkets are available). We both agreed that cycling in such hor-
rendous conditions was particularly unpleasant, so decided to stop and try and get some
breakfast.
We entered the supermarket followed by the glare of several exiting shoppers, who
seemed abitconfusedbyourattire. Thefashionofknee-length binbagsandskimpyshorts
had apparently not taken off in Carlisle.
'Shall we try and get some bread and butter like we did in Ellesmere Port?' I suggested.
'I really fancy a fry-up. What do you say we try our luck at the café?'
We approached the lady at the till and tried our well rehearsed routine.
'Ye want a free breakfest? Ah cannae authorize 'at. Yoo'll hae tae gang an' spick tae th'
stair manager. Gang ower th' the customer services desk.'
Everyone in Carlisle seemed to be Scottish. And not just a bit Scottish, but extremely
Scottish. It was almost like they were pushed out of Scotland for being too Scottish.
'What the hell did she just say?' asked Ben as we walked away.
'I'm not sure but I think she told us to go and ask the store manager.'
We eventually located him at the Customer Services desk. He was Scottish.
'Sae ye want a free breakfest?' he said. 'Och aye, Ah hink we can sort 'at it fur ye. Whit
will it be? Two full Englishes? Or shoods ah said Scottishes,' he said with a cackle.
'Two Scottish breakfasts would be amazing. Thanks so much.'
'Nae problem. gang an' tak' a seat an' i'll gie a body ay th' kimers tae sort ye it.'
'Ok,' we said, without the faintest clue as to what he had said.
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