Left Langholm in a northwesterly direction along the B709 and immediately began climbing. The road follows the River Esk for most of its length to the watershed in the Eskdalemuir Forest. This is one of the more remote stretches of road I have traveled on this trip. Very beautiful and typical northern European countryside - hills, pine and deciduous trees, clear-water streams. Oh, and some rain. Yep, first rain of the entire trip (touching wood as I type) and the rain gear came out for about an hour. Repacked the rain gear and continued under gray skies through some fine country.
Nice long climbs and incredibly long sustained coasts. Little traffic and great
riding! Out in the middle of nowhere you encounter the Kagyu Samye Ling
Monastery & Tibetan Center - the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the West. They had a tea room open to the public and I got a great cuppa and pastry to help me over the next couple passes.
Then it was one beautiful long coast into Innerleithen! All in all, a day short on miles (45), long on climbs (and coasts) and beautiful country! Fantastic day with 411 miles left to go.
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