Up early and on the bikes. Pete and I decided to do a 6km detour to visit another gold mining village. It was a bit nippy on the bike first thing and the layers were all on.

Caught up with Bill and Sue and a place called Lauder where there was a great cafe on the trail. The ladies who ran it made some super fresh cakes and sandwiches the sun had broken through by now and it was quite warm. We had coffee in the garden and bought sandwiches for lunch later on.

Today the trail went through 2 tunnels. Not quite as long as the Monsall Tunnels but these were not lit. We had tiny torches and it was pitch black in the middle, a bit creepy really, I was glad to get out the other side. The second tunnel wasn't as bad as you could see light at the end. We then cycled over a very high viaduct which was being painted. The team were on lunch break and there were bodies draped all over vehicles sleeping in the hot sunshine.

We stopped a bit further on for our sandwich and continued our journey.

Called at a place for an ice cream, it was sunny and hot but the girl in the shop was wearing a Santa hat and had the 1st Noel playing, I really can't get my head round hot Christmases.

Eventually we arrived at our lodge for the night. Again it was a purpose built modern bungalow and free Wifi.

Looking forward to a lift into the village for dinner later as my bottom doesn't want to sit in a saddle again today.