End to End

Day five
9 hours approx , 85 miles, ? calories
Cumulative 40 hours 22 minutes; 381.59 miles; 19593 calories

Very tough day today, weather was very very bad. We had heavy snow, gales that were blowing us across the road, hail stones, sleet, and heavy rain. The Satnav died about 20 miles into the journey. We estimate we have headed 85 miles south today. Not ridden all of it, because we were blown some of the way. Had our first puncture of the trip, cost us nearly 45 minutes. 35 minutes for Ann to realise I was no longer behind her, 5 minutes to find the tools and spare inner tube , and 5 minutes to fix it. Went over the Erskine Bridge, this is not for the faint hearted. At least we had a good start today, as an early morning phone call, and the fact that the breakfast staff were on time, meant we were able to start an hour earlier. I forget to mention yesterday, that after the landlady had overslept and kept us waiting for breakfast, she then asked where we were headed for that day. When we said Dumbarton, she said Naye, do you  want to be leaving thios late for Dumbarton, you should have left here an hour ago, you'll never make it. Well we knew who to thank if we didn't, that is if she is awake long enough to receive thanks.  Short stops in Paisley and Kilmarnock. Booked a hotel at tea time for Dumfries, haggled and got a good rate. They demanded I gave them my credit card number in case we cancelled, they have a 48 hour cancellation policy, so no good to us when we are booking 4 hours ahead. Then after they confirmed she mentioned she got the price wrong, it should be double. I said sorry but no thanks, I have a budget, she said fine but we will charge you the full amount as a cancellation fee. Well I hit the roof, I was sitting in a cafe and started to give the lady a piece of mind on the phone. The whole cafe was entranced and obviously enjoying the show. Eventually the lady backed down and agreed the price originally quoted. When we arrived we were treated exceptionally well, hello Mr Herbert we have given you the best suite, also we have given you a private room for your bicycles, please have some extra heaters to dry yourselves and your clothes. At dinner we had the best table, plus loads of canapés and amuse bouches, that no one else seemed to get. Good end to a pretty bad day.