Day 9 Ashness Farm To North Of Moffat

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Long distance today (134km) but not as much climbing as most other days. Left the B&B filled up on a most excellent breakfast (but could not choose the timing so left quite late). Then the lake District did what it does best and rained (steady, but not too heavy). Unfortunately, my water proof jacket failed to keep me dry and I also got cold for the first time and totally wet through. But then as I left the lakes the sun came out and I started to dry out. The best bit was then stopping off at a random place that said "hot food" which turned out to be a food van (The Butty Monster) on an industrial estate a couple of miles south of the Scottish Border. I was given a great welcome to Scotland by Morag who runs the van. I was her last customer of the day and we got talking about her boys (one a roofer the other an opera singer, quite different!) and my tour and family. She donated £5 to my charities, gave me bottled water and the last of her banana bread (delicious!). Meeting great people has been another highlight, I should probably have mentioned more of them. Just after that I passed over the border into Scotland at Gretna and did the obligatory photos. Quite excited to be in Scotland! By good luck there was a factory outlet in Gretna on my route so bought a new waterproof at a good price so hopefully I will now keep dry and warm when it rains (which it will!) Now tucked up in bed, wild camping next to a small brook at the edge of a forest enjoying a cup of tea and the banana bread, one of my favourite parts of the day.

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