Day Two. Our first big day

Our first stop today was at Hardwick Hall, one of the country's finest and biggest Elizabethan houses, and now owned by the National Trust. But it wasn't just an interest in architecture that took us there, it was the cakes. For I believe that the NT bake the best home made cakes. So Catherine tucked into a chocolate drizzled flapjack whilst I tried the Derbyshire shortbread. Me turning down a chocolate drizzled cake is certainly a rarity and looking back I don't know what came over me. I just sat there suffering from cake envy!



We carried on our way, crossing high over the M1 (it's impossible not to feel smug as you watch the traffic) and on across Derbyshire. Eventually we left behind the desolation of the old coalfield villages and moved into pottery territory. A lunch stop at the Denby factory cafe and off to negotiate our way around Derby. We rolled through the hills (shallower gradients but they go on for longer) and into Leicestershire and our overnight stop near Tamworth.


65 miles completed today and its no surprise that my legs are feeling sore. Perhaps more surprising is that my arms are feeling sore too, but that's due to sunburn. I now have an awesome "cyclist's tan" on both arms which is looks even more ridiculous with bright pink biceps. I am hoping they stop glowing by the morning.