Car! CAR! caaaar!

Early start today. We only have a short ride to do but the Weather Man has summoned his worst curse upon us: rain rain and more rain. I say that, but it could be a lot worse.

Again, Gaz is on form with the singing and starts his rendition of 'Eye Of The Tiger.' His rendition includes only half the lyrics and the rest is humming, like some drunk middle aged woman at a karaoke bar. Thanks mate, that's in my head for the next hour! But, the hills aren't too bad and we barely stop and we begin making great time. We even have time to stop at the UK's Greatest Attraction: 'Gnome World' A holiday park of Giant Gnomes! I can now die happy, I have seen it all.

Later, it gets the point where we should have stopped and put more layers on. We are soaked and my hands are turning that all too familiar white colour. We do what anyone would do in such situations.... start arguing over who does the best Cow impression. It's Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon all over again, except we don't have the warm sanctuary of a top restaurant.

We stop at Lanhydroke House and meet Steve Moir, a friend's Father's dog walkers son, and a small convoy of his friends. Exactly what we needed, a massive morale boost. After a coffee and brief introductions they use their local knowledge to take us the best route to our Second stop. My greatest joy of this convoy is to see how many times we can all shout "Car! CAR Caaaar!" at every sighting.

Soaked through we finally get to dry off and drink litres of tea.

Today we learnt two things:

1. Life's greatest joys come not from material items. The spirit of your fellow comrade is all one needs.

And 2. There are some incredible houses down here and to be minted enough to buy one might just buy us happiness.